"..each pregnant woman has inside her a three-million-year-old mother. When a woman lets go of fear and tension, her three-million-year-old mother is free to work at her best." (Michael Samuels) 


 

Prenatal Massage

 

In being a Certified Pre and Peri-natal Specialist, I have been serving mothers and their families in a variety of ways since 1998. Through my massage practice I have assisted hundreds of women in having a more comfortable and empowered experience during their pregnancy. As a labor doula, I have had a variety of experience supporting in the births of over 70 babies. My skills have helped many postpartum women in recovering from the strains of pregnancy and childbirth. In addition to advanced training, I have also assisted my educator Carole Osborne (AMTA's Teacher of the Year 1998) in her Pre and Peri-natal Certification Trainings in the Chicago area. Pregnant women will find themselves in good hands! While I am no longer practicing as a doula, when possible, massage services can be provided during labor. Please contact me with your interest and we can discuss a fee. 

Here are some things to consider during your childbearing years:

Benefits of Massage Therapy

During Pregnancy

 

• Reduces stress, promotes relaxation, gives emotional support and physical nurturance
• Reduces edema (swelling) and blood pressure, relieves varicose veins
• Increases blood and lymph circulation
• Facilitates hormonal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary and other physiological processes
• Reduces musculoskeletal strain and pain
• Helps develop flexibility, muscle tone and the kinesthetic awareness necessary to actively participate in the birth process
• Fosters nurturing maternal touch

In Labor                                        

 

• Contributes to shorter less painful labor
• Reduces labor complications, medications and interventions
• Improves infant well-being

 

In Postpartum Period

 

• Helps emotional and physiological adjustments
• Reduces musculoskeletal pain and strain from the birth and childcare activities
• Promotes structural realignment of the spine and pelvis
• Helps in rehabilitating abdominal skin, muscles and organs
• Promotes healing from cesarean birth, including healing of the scar tissue

 

Contraindications to Prenatal Massage

 

Massage should be avoided if the expectant mother :

 

• is experiencing severe morning sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
• has been placed on bed rest, been inactive, or has poor circulation in her legs. (Massage may be modified to the upper body with Doctor’s permission)
• has severe varicose veins.
• has abnormal discharge or vaginal bleeding.
• has excessive swelling in her arms, hands, legs or feet.
• notices a reduction in fetal movement over a 24 hr period.
• has any unexplained pain or discomfort anywhere in the body.
• has any serious disease, contagious wound, torn ligaments, muscles, tendons or fractures.
• has high blood pressure or heart disease. (May be possible with Doctor’s permission)

 

When in doubt, check with your health care provider. Massage is not meant to replace appropriate medical or prenatal care.

 

Special Precautions for Prenatal Massage

There are some positioning concerns that become apparent with the enlarging abdomen. The goal is to have the expectant mother as comfortable as possible without compromising her structural alignment or causing risk to her or her baby. 
Consider the following: 

Lying on the abdomen, while a safe position to rest in as long as comfortable, should be avoided during massage after the first trimester. This could create excessive intrauterine pressure for the baby.

Before week 22 of the pregnancy, mothers may lie on their backs (supine) with a pillow or wedge under their right hip. This helps to avoid Supine Hypotensive Syndrome.

After week 22 of the pregnancy, the expectant mother should be placed in side-lying position for maximum safety and comfort. Other options include seated or semi-reclining positions.

There are certain Reflexology and Acupressure points that should not be stimulated during pregnancy. However these same points can be valuable during labor or to help initiate an ‘over due’ pregnancy.