Massage Therapy During Pregnancy

by Iza del Carmen, MomAuthority.com

There are many benefits to massage therapy. Many people believe that when a woman is pregnant she cannot get a massage. This is not true. A woman can actually benefit greatly through the power of massage in many ways when she is pregnant. Massage can even decrease the delivery time during labor. If you are pregnant then you should consider massage as a relief technique.

When you see a massage therapist they will have you sit upright in a chair or lay on a table. If you are pregnant then there will be a dip in the table which provides a place for your belly to breathe so you are not hurting the belly or yourself. This will allow you to lie on your stomach while you are getting a massage. You should choose the position that is most comfortable for you. You might want a pile of pillows.

A massage therapist will use long, smooth strokes, knead and other slow movements focusing on the superficial layers of your muscles with massage oil or lotions. Not all massage therapists use any products but some do. Massage is proven to be good for the body because it increases blood flow, which in return improves circulation. This allows oxygen and other nutrients to travel to the tissues in the body easier. Massage also relieves tension in the muscles and pain caused by many things. It can increase your body’s flexibility and your mobility. It assists the body with clearing lactic acid and other wastes from the body. When people are stiff and have pain in their muscles and joints they turn to massage therapy for relief of this too.

There are many reasons people look toward massage therapy for relief. People who suffer from back pain are relieved through massage therapy. Inflammatory conditions like arthritis and tendonitis can be relieved because massage increases circulation. Stress relief and stress related conditions are improved through massage. People who suffer from severe headaches like migraines have shown drastic improvements through massage also. Muscle related conditions often cause spasms, strains, and sprains and improve dramatically with massage. Massage increases blood flow and any circumstance in the body that causes the blood flow to slow down can be improved.

Research has proven that many different types of people benefit from massage. When businesses offer massages to their employees it is proven that office workers are more alert, productive, and less stressed than those employees who didn’t receive a massage on a regular basis. Massage therapy has proven to decrease effects of tension, anxiety, depression, pain and the severe itching in burn patients. This is because it increases the blood flow.

 

Patients who have received a form of abdominal surgery recover quicker with massage than patients who do not receive massage. Infants who were born prematurely gain more weight and become healthier faster and autistic children have less erratic behaviors. Massage works for everyone with big benefits to the body. Anyone can benefit.

Now that you’re pregnant, you need massage especially because your body is going through significant changes. You are sharing your body with little person (maybe even 2 or more little people!) and you may feel a lot of stress and anxiety. In addition, you may experience a lot of pain. Pregnant women suffer from many bothersome issues when they carry a baby around. This can be due to the weight of the baby and the strain on their back or their decreased blood flow because much of their supply is going to the baby. Whichever reason, there are many issues that may arise during your pregnancy pregnancy.

Leg cramps are a common problem that you may experience during pregnancy. They usually occur during the night while you’re sleeping…or trying to get some sleep! It is very painful to wake up to leg cramps. It can be bothersome. Some women complain they have to walk around for quite some time before the leg cramps are really gone. The leg cramps might even return just as soon as they return back to bed.

Back pain is another common problem that you’re likely to experience during your pregnancy. This occurs because the body has to carry an extra amount of weight on the front which puts pressure on the back. The further along you are, the worse the back pain can be. It may seem impossible to get in a comfortable position due to your back pain.

Depression and emotional issues are very common when you’re pregnant. This is because when you’re pregnant your hormones are going crazy. The hormones in the body increase at astounding rates due to a growing baby inside of you. The baby requires a lot out of your body and the baby will take what it needs. These hormone changes may cause you to be extremely emotional for no reason at all. You may not even know why you’re crying. A woman can go from being very happy to crying in moments because of the hormone changes. This is normal for a pregnancy and there is nothing you can do to stop this from occurring but it can be minimized and relieved.

Preeclampsia is a condition that causes swelling of the ankles, hands, feet, and other parts of the body due to high blood pressure in the body. It also causes a spillage of protein into the urine. Preeclampsia affects the kidney and the circulatory system and only occurs during pregnancies. The cause is not known but it causes poor circulation.

As a baby puts pressure on your blood vessels, which lead to your legs, your ankles can become swollen. Fluid will move from the blood into surrounding tissues, eventually gravitating to the lowest part of the body at the ankles. This causes ankle swelling. It can be very painful to have swollen ankles when pregnant and be difficult to walk due to the excess weight.

Prenatal massage therapy that can help women relieve problems associated with pregnancy. This type of massage is specifically designed for pregnant women. You don’t have to be suffering from bad symptoms to receive prenatal massage. Any pregnant woman can benefit.

Prenatal massage therapy is designed to support the structural, physiological, and emotional well-being of both mother and the baby. There are many different forms of massage including deep tissues, Swedish, neuromuscular, Oriental, and movement therapies that can be used throughout the pregnancy and while the mother is in labor.

Many cultures believe that massage and movement during labor are a prominent part of health care. Cultures like Indian Ayurvedic have specific instructions to rub formulated oils into a pregnant mother’s skin. Eskimos believe the fathers should massage their laboring wives’ backs to provide comfort. In Ireland women are massaged by a labor assistant or a doula while they are in labor. The belief is that the doula’s massage can benefit the mother by shortening the delivery and making it uncomplicated. Doulas are very common in the United States today also.

Massage during labor for an expectant mother has been around for hundreds of years. Pregnancy massage is a fast growing application but during childbirth it has been around for years and benefits the mother and child in many ways.

There are many things that can cause your delivery to last a very long time. If the baby is under stress then it may not be ready to come out. If you’re under a lot of stress then the labor can be much more difficult too. Emotional issues can cause a longer labor. Pain in the back and legs can cause a longer labor. You don’t want to have leg cramps while you’re in labor about to have your baby. That is a very uncomfortable and difficult situation for a mother in labor. There are many factors that can increase the amount of time the labor and delivery can take.

Prenatal massage and labor massage have many benefits. Many lifestyle changes occur when a woman is in labor and high stress levels too. Too much stress can have a negative impact on the mother and the baby’s health. It can cause reduced uterine blood supply and even miscarriage. Stress can cause a baby to be premature and come too early or other complications with the baby. Prenatal massage can help you reach your due date and not worry about having a baby too early. This is because massage decreases anxiety and decreases physical discomfort. Massage acts as a tonic and it increases your body’s overall awareness.

Prenatal therapeutic massage offers a safe way to naturally support the well-being of you and your baby by providing an adjunctive healthcare system. You and your baby can benefit in many ways. You can be more prepared for an easier delivery because massage has a sedating affect on the central nervous system, which in return promotes total relaxation and relief of stress. This helps you have less anxiety as you reach your due date. Most women become very anxious and ready to have their baby the further along they are. This is because of the increased discomfort due to a big and heavier baby but also to the excitement of the new baby coming on its way.

When massage therapy occurs, endorphins are released in the body which offers a deep relaxation. A baby in the uterus can feel this relaxation too. When you’re stressed, the baby is in stress also. A relaxed mother also provides for a relaxed baby. Doctors agree that the more relaxed a mother, then the healthier the pregnancy is too. It is possible that massage during a child labor experience provides relaxation and comfort to the mother and baby too. This makes a more joyful experience during the labor process.

When women are pregnant they suffer from excess pain in their lower back and other muscles throughout the body because of carrying the excess weight on their body. Massage eases physical discomfort by reducing the pain in the lower back, hips, pelvis, neck, back, and shoulders. These are commonly strained due to postural changes during the pregnancy. The pain in all of these areas can be eased significantly by prenatal massage. Severe pain from these things while in labor can cause you to focus on these things which can slow down the labor process. When you’re not feeling excessive pain because of massage, it can improve the labor process and even speed it up.

One of the most appreciated benefits of prenatal massage is the increase in muscle tone. With regular massage throughout the pregnancy muscle tone can be increased. This can also treat and release problems with muscle spasms that occur and knots. The ligaments, tendons, and joints will have maximum flexibility during the labor process. Massage also decreases any chances of having problems with leg cramping and other problems.

Prenatal massage benefits you by improving circulation. When muscles are massaged it is like stretching. It warms up the muscles by making the heart pump a little faster which gets the blood flowing through the veins. The elevation in the blood flows through the entire body and even the baby. This also allows for better nutrition to your tissues and to the fetus. This also enhances removal of waste products in your body from the baby.

Circulation is extremely important to the body when you are not pregnant. However, when you are pregnant circulation can cause serious problems. Your entire body relies on a healthy circulatory system. Massage therapy can greatly improve circulation issues. Other ways you can keep circulation up is by doing a lot of walking.

Edema can be decreased with massage throughout the pregnancy. Edema can cause swelling in the hands, feet, and the legs which can be extremely uncomfortable for an expectant mother. Massage allows for the lymphatic system to circulate faster and more efficiently. This will result in minimizing or eliminating any swelling in the body. It will also give you more energy throughout the days. During labor, you’ll need the extra energy to be able to deliver the baby.

Some women throughout a pregnancy suffer from severe morning sickness caused by glandular secretions and hormonal levels being severely out of whack. Prenatal massage can be exactly what a woman needs to decrease hormone problems and minimize issues like morning sickness. That is because the glandular secretions can be stimulated and hormone levels can be stabilized through massage. This is a big benefit for women when they suffer from severe morning sickness. This also benefits you when you go in labor. Many women vomit and get very sick during the labor and delivery of their baby. Massage can make you feel much better and eliminate feelings of sickness during the delivery.

Women also suffer from severe sciatica pain when they are pregnant. This can be so severe that they cannot walk because their legs may be paralyzed which in return will cause them to fall down. Pregnancy induced sciatica causes pain to radiate down from the lower back all the way down one leg. This is usually a result of particular muscles adapting to the new posture the woman is using to remain upright but at the same time compressing the sciatic nerve. Prenatal massage can loosen these muscles and release the pressure on the nerves in the back. Many massage therapists feel very emotionally rewarded when they are helping a woman with problems associated with pregnancy induced sciatica. Most women receive total relief after a massage from pain due to the pressure on the sciatica nerve. Some women don’t feel relief but it is not common.

You should have regular massage sessions lasting from 30 minutes to 60 minutes. You might think about asking your medical insurance if they cover massage therapy for your pregnancy. Some insurance companies will pay for a portion of the cost while others will not. This can save you a lot of money though if your insurance carrier will absorb the costs. The costs of massage therapy will be similar as a regular patient.

When you see a prenatal massage therapist you should expect many things that are similar to a regular massage. Many of the same techniques will be used when you receive the massage. You will need to have a thorough health intake interview with the therapists. Some pregnant women might be required to obtain a release from their doctor in order to undergo prenatal massage therapy. If you have any complications during your pregnancy then most likely you will need to get a waiver from your doctor. This will ensure that it is okay for you to have massage therapy during your pregnancy and the therapist will not be risking you or the baby.

When you go in for a prenatal massage you will get undressed and have a sheet draped around your body. You might be more comfortable with a female to do the massage since you have to get undressed. Many women are fine with a male massage therapist.

When you get a prenatal massage you have a couple of options on how you want to receive it. Massage therapists have massage chairs you can sit upright in if that is most comfortable for you. This is most common for people who receive a quick fifteen minute massage. Therapists do have special tables for pregnant women that will allow you to lay on your stomach. It is common for women to not be comfortable in their first trimester lying on their stomach because of the tenderness in their breasts. As you get further along in your pregnancy then the more comfortable lying on your stomach will be. Many massage therapists may have you lay on your side to provide massage to your back if you cannot lay on your stomach. This is often the favored position that provides the most comfort when getting a massage.

When a massage therapist massages your abdomen they will superficially touch the abdomen gently with a flat hand. When pressure is applied to the inner legs this will be superficial and gentle also. If you are on bed rest due to complications then you are at risk of forming blood clots in your legs. If this is the case then you should avoid massage on your legs. Massage therapists will gently work your muscles while keeping in mind your baby’s comfort too. They will usually focus on relieving back pain by working down your spine and around your sciatica. They will also massage your belly gently, your arms, legs, buttocks, and feet.

There are circumstances when you should not consider getting a prenatal massage. A doctor may approve it but if you have certain symptoms then you should avoid a prenatal massage. You should always consult your obstetrician prior to getting a prenatal massage. This will ensure you are doing the right thing for you and your baby. If you have severe morning sickness then you should benefit from a massage. However, you should talk to your doctor because your morning sickness may be too severe to get a massage.

If you have any type of vaginal bleeding or discharge that is unusual then you should not get a prenatal massage. You don’t want to hurt the baby or cause any problems with the pregnancy that you might already be having. If you have severe diarrhea or pain in your abdomen or anywhere else in your body then you shouldn’t consider massage. The slightest touch could make your pain even worse. If you have bruising and varicose veins then the massage therapists may avoid these particular areas of your body.

During the massage you should provide feedback to the prenatal massage therapist and let them know at any point in time if you are uncomfortable. If you want to take a break then you should let them know. If you become thirsty then you should stop and take a drink. If you need to go to the bathroom then you should not wait. A massage therapist should be sure to ask you these things but they might not. You should not be afraid to be outspoken if there is anything that you need because your comfort is the most important thing. If you are not comfortable during your massage then it may not be a good experience for you.

If you feel pain from anything the massage therapist is doing while they are massaging you then you should let the therapist know. The therapist will not know if you don’t say anything. Any pain that you feel can also be felt by the baby. If the therapist needs to use less pressure then you need to advise of this or stop the massage.

After you receive a prenatal massage then you should be able to resume your normal daily activities. Usually, a massage will put you in almost a trance because you will feel so relaxed that you might want to take a nap. A massage will relax you so you sleep very well.

When you look for a pregnancy massage therapist there are many things you need to consider to be sure you find the right one. Don’t just use any massage therapist that will take you. It is important to find a certified massage therapist who specializes in pregnant women. If not, then the therapist may hurt you and the baby which is not what you want. Finding a massage therapist who has experience and knows what they are doing with a pregnant woman is very important. Some prenatal massage therapists have different techniques they use.

Another thing you need to think about when you are looking for the right therapist for your massage therapy during your pregnancy is someone you are comfortable with. You will be required to go through an intake interview for the therapist to decide if you are okay for them to massage you. However, you should use this opportunity to determine if you will be comfortable with this person massaging you in the nude. Some women think they will be okay with this and then they don’t feel right about it after they get started. You need to be sure you are comfortable with the therapist. You need to shop around to find the right massage therapist for you.

If you have just anyone do a prenatal massage on you then you could be harming you and the baby. You might want your husband to do the massage because you feel the most comfortable with him but you really shouldn’t. If you are not comfortable seeing an actual prenatal massage therapist then your doctor may be able to give your husband some massage techniques that will not cause harm to you and your baby.

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There have been many people who have commented on prenatal massage therapy finding true benefits of it for the expectant mother and the baby. These comments come from doctors, pregnant mothers, chiropractors, and more. Below are a few of the comments.

“Massage in pregnancy is so beneficial for the mother and the baby that I no longer consider it a luxury. I recommend regular massage for all my pregnant patients.” Bette Waters, CNM, ACCE

“With pregnancy massage, I become in touch and aware of what muscles I carry my stress in. I can actually feel the stress leaving my body, followed with such a wonderful energy boost. I sleep so much better after a massage.” Kim Smith, pregnant client

“I have found with my pregnancy patients, and during my own pregnancy, that massage keeps the body healthy; physically, mentally and emotionally. Feeling healthy in all aspects makes for a more pleasant pregnancy and a health delivery.” Dr. Suzan J. Smith Chiropractor

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The big benefit that women experience when they receive prenatal massage therapy and massage during labor, is that it speeds up the labor process. All women won’t have the same labor experience. Some women have a labor that lasts for a few days while others are only in labor for a few hours. That is because no one has the same body or the same pregnancy. A certain amount of time cannot be attached to how much your labor time will decrease because of many factors. However, there is evidences that massage therapy can decrease the length of labor.

When a laboring mother receives a massage it relieves the pain that she is in. A massage provides for comfort and relaxation and allows her to be more focused on having the baby and what she needs to do to have the baby. Many mothers are so focused on back pain during their labor that they forget how to properly push and breathe. Massage therapy assists with proper breathing. When women are in labor it is common that they don’t feel like they can breath because the tenseness of the contractions tightening in their stomach. Because circulation is improved then more oxygen is getting to the mother and the baby allowing the two of them to breathe much better. When a woman is not properly breathing while she is in labor then this can slow down the labor too. This is why doctors recommend to women that they practice their breathing techniques so they are properly prepared during their labor process.

Stress can also cause a labor to last longer than it should. Women are often stressed due to the excitement of the new baby coming and as labor gets closer and closer a mother’s stress levels increase. Stress can be dangerous to the baby and to the mother. When in labor, a stressed mother can be in labor for many unnecessary hours because she is not relaxed enough.

Receiving a massage during labor can help a woman remain calm. A massage will help relax the muscles in the body and keep them from becoming tense. A massage is a positive experience for the mind also which puts an expectant mother at peace and more aware of what is going on with her body. Massage during labor will help a woman focus on the delivery resulting in a quicker delivery of the baby because she will be more focused. Massage is good for peace of mind too.

Massage also helps the baby during pregnancy and in labor. During pregnancy when you receive massage therapy on a routine basis the baby is relaxed as you are. The baby senses what you sense. If you feel pain then the baby can feel pain too. If you are stressed then the baby can be under stress. Massage therapy can be beneficial to the baby for its brain development too. Your baby needs to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible, which means so should you. When you are in labor and you are receiving a massage then the baby is relaxed and not stressed during the labor process. Some women when they are in labor are in extreme pain and the baby feels this too. When women are panicky in labor then it scares the baby. A massage helps calm the mother and eliminate panicking so she is thinking clearly. This is very beneficial so that the baby does not come out under stress.

Many women get very weak during the labor process when it lasts for hours and hours or several days. They are often tired and when it is time to push they don’t have much more strength in them. This can delay the labor also when mom is too tired too push. Massage works in two ways. It helps completely relax the body but it also gets the blood flowing. When the blood gets flowing then a mother in labor can be rejuvenated and give her the energy she needs to make it through the delivery of her baby. It can decrease the amount of time it takes to have her baby because she will be rejuvenated and ready to push.

There are a lot of changes that’ll happen to you during your pregnancy. Many of these changes can cause your body to be extremely uncomfortable. Back pain is common and some back pain can lead to sciatica problems and cause an expectant mother to be unable to walk. Some mothers have morning sickness while others do not. Some expectant mothers are depressed and very emotional.

Massage works in many ways. It warms up the muscles and provides relieve to painful joints and muscles because of the improvements in circulation. It also can improve morning sickness problems. Some women benefit greatly because they suffer from major problems with their hormones spiking. Some marriages may suffer too when a pregnant woman is having problems with being so emotional. Most men don’t know how to deal with it or understand that it is normal. Even if it is normal it needs to be minimized so your pregnancy can be a positive experience and not adversely impact your marriage.

Massage improves problems with depression and hormonal issues caused during a pregnancy. Massage is excellent for the attitude, self-esteem, feelings, emotions, and more. If your hormones are raging due to your pregnancy then you should consider prenatal massage for help.

Massage therapy during a pregnancy needs to be given a lot of thought. It should be part of a normal pregnancy routine because of all of the benefits. Regular massages can keep you calm, minimize your pain, and improve your overall health and the health of your baby. Every doctor should recommend prenatal massage therapy for pregnant mothers. The baby needs the mother to be under as little stress as possible and the baby needs massage too.

You need to keep many things in mind when you’re looking for the right massage therapist because you must be comfortable during the massage or it will defeat the purpose of the massage. Comfort is most important. You should be comfortable with the massage therapist but you should also ensure that the therapist is certified and experienced with pregnant women so you and your baby are totally safe during the massage.

If you are considering prenatal massage then you are making an excellent decision for a healthy pregnancy and for a faster delivery of your baby. Before you begin planning massage therapy sessions with your therapist, you should verify with your obstetrician that it is okay for you and your baby to receive massages. If you are a high risk patient, it doesn’t mean you’re unable to receive massage therapy. It might just mean that the massage therapist needs to work with your doctor to come up with the right type of therapy for you and your baby.

The myth that women who are pregnant cannot get a massage is just not true. Pregnant women can benefit from massage in big ways and so can the baby. You should look into it if you are pregnant. You don’t have to be suffering and in pain to need a massage. A massage can make you feel even better but it can create a calming and peaceful experience for you and your baby that is very important for the two of you. When you receive a massage during the delivery of your baby then it can decrease the time it takes to have your baby because you will be more focused on the delivery of the baby and in less pain. Massage during your labor is a must if you want it to have as little pain as possible and shorten the time length.

You should also keep in mind that your prenatal massage should extend past your pregnancy into the labor and after you have had the baby. Postpartum women benefit greatly too from massage therapy because they are susceptible to depression. Massage can help you feel better about your body and it will also help you as you hormones go back to normal.

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How Receiving Massage Therapy During Pregnancy can Shorten Your Baby’s Delivery Time (c) 2008 MomAuthority.com