A Pregnancy/Prenatal Massage is a Form of Bodywork Designed Specifically for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a time in which a woman’s body endures tremendous stress due to dramatic physical, mental, and emotional changes. Using various techniques specifically for the new mother, the pregnancy massage helps alleviate discomforts experienced throughout the pregnancy such as pain in the lower back muscles, pelvis or hips from postural and functional changes.

Prenatal/Fertility Massage Certified

Massage therapy schools teach students the basics of working with pregnant ladies, a certified prenatal massage therapist holds additional qualifications and advanced training that will provide optimal relief to the mom and can address specific pregnancy needs of the mom.

Aruna is certified in nurturing the mother massage. She provides fertility massage for women trying to get pregnant, going through in-vitro fertilization (IVF procedure) or naturally, and postpartum pregnancy massage as well as during pregnancy.

What Can a Pregnant Mom Expect During the Massage Session?

The therapist positions and supports the expectant mother in a proper way during the massage. Second and third-trimester massage is always done by hand with expectant mother in a side-lying position, which is safe for both mom and the baby.

We do not assume anything, instead, we ask for what our pregnant clients are expecting out of that particular massage session and cater to her needs by focusing on what she wants. If she just wants to relax and sleep, then we help her in just that.

If a pregnant client wants to get some relief from the tight low back muscles, relief from her tight ribs or help in reducing the swelling around ankles, then that is what we focus on.

Since the pregnant mom’s body gets hot very easily due to increased blood volume, we would not recommend a heated table.

Although not proven, varying opinions exist about the use of essential oils in pregnancy/prenatal massage. Because of the molecular size of essential oils, they can easily penetrate the skin and get into the bloodstream of a pregnant mother. We provide the prenatal massage with unscented organic cream instead of scented cream.

How Often Should a Pregnant Woman Receive Massage?

A pregnant woman receiving massages (half hour to an hour) twice weekly for six weeks experience less anxiety as well as decreased leg and back pain/discomfort.

During late pregnancy, moms complain of sciatic nerve pain due to the uterus resting on the muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. Prenatal massage can relieve the pressure of the nerve pressing on the muscle.

They also experience better sleep with improved moods and their labors had fewer complications as well.

Profound benefits of receiving prenatal massage:

• Emotional support
• Reduction of joint pain, back pain due to extra weight and postural imbalance
• Improved breathing, circulation and relaxation
• Reduced swelling
• Relieved aches & pains and relief from uncomfortable digestive issues
• Reduced stress, anxiety and muscle tension
• Relieves pressure on the muscles and reduced inflammation on the sciatic nerve

Fertility Massage

The protocol for fertility massage is different from prenatal massage. This massage incorporates techniques to get the woman’s body ready for carrying the baby.

Postpartum Pregnancy Massage

This massage has a totally different protocol than a prenatal massage. Now that the mom has delivered the baby, the techniques utilized in this massage are performed with the intention of improving postpartum hormone balance. Estrogen and progesterone hormone levels are very high during pregnancy and decrease after delivery. Prolactin and oxytocin hormone levels rise to facilitate breastfeeding. If the mom is nursing we will not include any essential oils in the massage lotion since the essential oils can penetrate the skin and get to the baby which might not be suitable.

Studies indicate that massage reduces the stress hormone cortisol.

Massage also reduces naturally occurring biochemicals associated with depression (dopamine and serotonin) and supporting mom with the challenges of motherhood.

When Can the Mom Schedule Postpartum Pregnancy Massage?

The mom can start receiving postpartum massages as soon as she feels comfortable. The massage therapist will position her comfortably if her abdomen or breasts are sore. If the mom has maternal complications, please consult first with a medical provider.

Some moms crave being able to lie face-down again after lying on their sides for almost nine months. Others may be uncomfortable face-down because of breast discomfort or the distraction of leaking milk. Feel free to talk to your massage therapist so your massage session is comfortable and beneficial to you.