Pre and postnatal massage
by Susan Young
My excitement grew when I heard the doorbell ring. I was in my last month of pregnancy and waddled to the door. A good friend of mine who was a massage therapist had come over to give me a massage—maybe my last before the baby arrived. We checked in—yes, I was still feeling good (just huge!), and had some aches in my back and neck, and felt a little overwhelmed by my imminent life change. The next hour and a half was just what I needed. Soothing strokes, a quiet atmosphere, specific work where I needed it, and a calm presence to witness my collage of excitement and apprehension.
Most people agree massage feels good. But did you realize it's also good for you? Yes, just like eating your vegetables and getting exercise, regularly receiving massage has great benefits for your health! Research shows that massages lowers your blood pressure, boosts your immune system, and reduces harmful stress hormones. Massage also provides a quiet place in this hectic world. And massage is a great way to navigate the specific challenges women face during pregnancy and postpartum.
Receiving massage during pregnancy is an excellent way to care for yourself and your baby. Massage therapists trained in addressing the specific needs of pregnant women provide safe and effective massage during this unique time of life. Many women experience aches and plains in their feet, hips, and back. Emotionally, pregnancy can be a crazy time for women and their loved ones. Massage can address these concerns and also help you connect with your baby. One of the joys I experienced during my pregnancy was massage of my belly. The gentle pressure of a massage therapist’s hands on my belly helped me experience in another way the reality of my baby growing inside.
And if you think massage during pregnancy sounds good, you would not believe how great it is after you’re sleep-deprived, emotionally dizzy, and experiencing a new set of aches and pains.
Massage can fill a niche during this time that is a valuable part of your self-care plan. Many women experience neck, shoulder and back pain as they adjust to feeding, changing and carrying the baby. Postpartum women report lingering fatigue, soreness or general discomfort as their bodies reconfigure themselves. The first 3 months of a newborn’s life is a very draining as well as exciting time. Taking time for yourself in the midst of it is a great way to navigate its particular challenges.
Most women will be able to receive massage safely during pregnancy and after the baby arrives. It's always a good idea to check with your midwife, doctor or healthcare professional about your suitability for massage. Professional massage therapists will take a health history before your session and will ask about any complications you’re experiencing like gestational diabetes or preclampsia. After the baby is born, your massage therapist will ask you how the labor went and how you’re adjusting to the new baby. Additionally, massage therapists adapt their work based on what trimester you’re in. Being open and honest with your massage therapist will help him or her give you the best experience possible.
You may be thinking that this all sounds great, but can’t picture how you're actually going to lay on the massage table! You can’t lay face down (later in pregnancy) and you’re not supposed to lay on your back...do you hang from the ceiling?! Many massage therapists working with pregnancy women use pillows to prop their clients in a comfortable side-lying or semi-reclining position. Although some therapists have special tables available with a cut-out for the woman's belly allowing her to lay face down, a national expert on pregnancy massage cautions against this technique due to excessive strain on uterine ligaments. If you sleep with pillows everywhere, that’s what you can picture for your massage later in pregnancy. For postpartum women, your main concern may be breast tenderness or leakage. A professional massage therapist will take these concerns into account and provide a comfortable position for you.
If you’d like to find a therapist I’d recommend you consider a few important elements. You want to find someone with specific training in pregnancy massage. Personal referrals are a great source for leads. Ask your midwife, doctor, or childbirth educator for names of people they recommend. The American Massage Therapy Association has an on-line directory that connect you to someone in your area with appropriate expertise. Give some thought to what setting you would feel most comfortable in and ask about this (i.e., your home, the massage therapist’s home or office, a spa, a health club, etc.) Consider proximity, affordability, and availability. Above all, find someone you can trust.
A massage therapist may offer specials to their pregnant and postpartum clients. Because I believe massage is so well suited to the adventure of pregnancy and postpartum adjustment, I like to offer my clients a package discount. I give a significant discount to encourage women to receive as many massages during pregnancy and after delivery as possible. Be creative about accomplishing your massage goals – put a massage gift certificate on your baby shower wish list. Take advantage of all the offers of help after the baby arrives to steal away for a massage. Acknowledge the challenges your partner faces during this time of life by gifting him or her with a massage. Some massage therapists can come to your home and give each of you a massage while the other cares for the baby. This is a great way to care for yourselves as you adjust to your new roles as caregivers.