Pregnancy Info

There are many steps you can take to ensure a healthy pregnancy including adding a pregnancy massage to your pregnancy wellness regimen. Many massage therapy establishments offer pregnancy massage that can help relax the pregnant woman and assist in making her more comfortable while carrying her unborn baby.

There are tons of benefits to receiving a pregnancy massage. As massage therapy has been used for centuries to improve overall health in individuals, reducing stress and reliving strain on muscles, pregnant women can greatly benefits from massage therapy. Fortunately there are certain types of pregnancy massage that are designed to fit the comfort of someone in any stage of their pregnancy. Some research regarding pregnancy massage indicates that prenatal massage techniques are benefits in contributing toward an overall healthier pregnancy and should be given consideration by anyone that is pregnant.  Pregnancy massage, if done correctly by a trained massage therapist, can be a great benefit to a woman's health during pregnancy. Fortunately pregnancy massage can be safe during any point in the pregnancy. However it is important to take the proper precautions when getting a pregnancy massage to ensure it is safe for you and the baby.

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage:

According to many studies that cover the benefits of pregnancy massage, the pregnancy massage is a great way to regulate hormone levels that are conducive to the growth of the fetus. It is also beneficial to regulate these hormones to help with stress management and relaxation. The pregnancy massage can help with mood regulation, improved cardiovascular health and can lead to less complications during birth and lower instances of newborn complications. The stress hormones that can cause depression during pregnancy are also lowered to help manage depression during  pregnancy and after the baby is born. The changes in the hormones can lead to a stronger maternal and baby bond and increased health benefits after birth. 

Many women experience swelling of the joints during pregnancy. Fortunately pregnancy massage can help with the circulation of the blood to prevent the swelling around these joints. It can also help improve the body's lymph system. Nerve pain like sciatic nerve pain is experienced by women later in pregnancy, and involves problems when the uterus rests on the pelvic floor muscles and lower back. Fortunately pregnancy massage can help with this and can help reduce the pressure on the nerve endings. Many women experience a reduction in nerve pain during pregnancy that have regular pregnancy massages. 

Other benefits of pregnancy massage include improved circulation, reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles, reduced edema, reduced joint pain and more. 

Being Cautious During Pregnancy Massage:

While pregnancy massage is a great experience for many pregnant women, it must be done in such a way that it does not cause harm to the baby or discomfort to the mother. Fortunately most trained massage therapy professionals know and understand proper massage techniques to prevent any damage to the unborn baby or trouble to the mother while she is trying to relax. For women that are concerned about having a safe prenatal massage, be sure and talk to your health care provider to determine if it is safe for you to receive a pregnancy massage. 

If you have any sensitive pressure points, be sure to let your massage therapist know about these before you begin your massage so they can make sure and approach those areas with care and gentle massage techniques. If you have already begun experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions throughout your pregnancy, make sure you also alert your massage therapist to this fact, so that certain pressure points can be avoided completely in an effort to avoid causing a contraction.  Women who have a high-risk pregnancy, pregnancy induced hypertension, preeclampsia, pre-term labor, experience severe swelling, high blood pressure or sudden headaches should speak with their health care provider before getting a pregnancy massage.

Sources: americanpregnancy.org