There is something magical about bringing new life into the world…the aches and pains of pregnancy is not that magical something.
The further you get into your pregnancy, the more stress gets put on your body on a daily basis. Muscles and joints can become fatigued more easily, and inflammation becomes prevalent throughout those joints & muscles. Back pain, swollen ankles, and anxiety also become very common.
The good news is that a prenatal massage can be just what you need to eliminate the general discomfort & stress of carrying a newborn. Better yet, regular massage during pregnancy provides amazing benefits to your child (measurable differences in APGAR scores!). With that in mind, let’s jump into all the good stuff that comes along with getting a prenatal massage.
To start, during a prenatal massage, the mom-to-be will lay on her side with a pillow propped between her knees and around her belly as well as under her head. This allows the therapist to do the work that is needed while keeping pressure off of the mother’s stomach.
Massage is safe during any trimester of pregnancy.
The American Pregnancy Association states
“In women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks, hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (hormones associated with stress) were reduced, and dopamine and serotonin levels were increased (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression).
These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence strongly suggests there are maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.”
Not only will regular prenatal massage help balance hormones throughout pregnancy, but it is also essential when it comes to pain management.
Joint swelling is a very common throughout pregnancy and can cause a good deal of discomfort. Prenatal massage focuses on the parts of the body that are put under the most stress. The primary benefits you can expect from a pregnancy massage are:
Later into pregnancy, expecting mothers may notice swelling and nerve pain in their upper legs. As more weight is put on the pelvis over time, those muscles become compressed and pitched and radiate pain to the upper legs. This can cause what is known as sciatic nerve pain. Prenatal massage has been shown to reduce and or eliminate that nerve pain by addressing the compressed muscles.
The dictionary defines APGAR Score as:
“A measure of the physical condition of a newborn infant. It is obtained by adding points (2, 1, or 0) for heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, response to stimulation, and skin coloration; a score of ten represents the best possible condition.”
Studies have shown that the improved blood flow and circulation that is provided during a prenatal massage has helped the overall development of the baby in the womb. As a result, babies whose mothers incorporate regular prenatal massages experience increase APGAR scores and improved newborn health.
Prenatal massage not only provides physical developmental benefits to new babies, but there is also an energetic benefit felt by the soon-to-be newborns. Over the course of 9 months, mother and child are one. The stress & anxiety that mom feels is undoubtedly passed on to the child. Massage during pregnancy brings down stress levels and reduces stress-related hormones (as mentioned above) that can be passed to the child. This creates a harmonious balance between mom and child and allows for a calm and relaxed pregnancy.
At Restorative Bodywork, we are trained in prenatal massage. If you are ready for the best pregnancy massage York has to offer, click below to book your session.
(We also offer gift cards if you know a mother-to-be)
Thai massage is a fantastic way to unwind from the stresses of life and can be a great benefit to many people. If you would like to experience the best Thai Massage York has to offer, click below to book a session today!
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