A prenatal massage can give you a sense of calm, comfort, and connection during a time of incredible change. Specifically designed for expectant mothers, prenatal massage helps to improve sleep, reduce stress, and supports your overall well-being as your body prepares for birth. Call ila Only Spa to find out more about prenatal massage therapy and how a skilled therapist can personalize your session to benefit your unique pregnancy needs and enhance your maternal health. Our expert prenatal massage therapists guide you regarding the positions they place you in during the massage to provide the support and comfort you need during this time.
There is nothing like a soothing prenatal massage that rubs away the pains and strains of pregnancy and brings much-needed relief to tired muscles. With the right strokes, kneads, and gentle pressure, a prenatal massage can soothe sore muscles, ease lower back pain, and improve circulation, providing emotional comfort during this special stage of life.
Integrating massage therapy into routine prenatal care can supplement emotional and physical health to improve pregnancy outcomes and maternal health.
What Is a Prenatal Massage?
Prenatal massages accommodate the anatomical changes a woman goes through during her pregnancy. In a traditional massage, you usually lie face-down on your stomach for half the time, but prenatal massage techniques are adjusted to ensure your comfort and baby’s safety.
Considering the changes your posture and shape are going through, a trained massage therapist helps you lie down safely, providing room for your growing belly and breasts. Special positioning, such as lying on your side with supportive cushions or using a prenatal massage table with holes can avoid pressure on the abdomen and ensure proper circulation.
Prenatal massages aim to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, and improve circulation and mobility. Its techniques help expectant mothers in different stages of pregnancy feel more connected to their bodies as they prepare for childbirth.
Swedish massage is one technique used by therapists for prenatal massage. Swedish massage focuses on relaxing muscle tension and improving lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscles. It is the best massage during pregnancy as it can relieve many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes that occur because of hormonal shifts.
Read more: What is a prenatal massage?
Benefits of Prenatal Massage Therapy
Research shows that therapeutic massage has helped millions of pregnant women by reducing their anxiety and depression, relieving muscle aches and joint pains, and improving labor outcomes and ensuring newborn safety. With its specific techniques, prenatal massage addresses various needs of expectant mothers.
Some top benefits of prenatal massage theory are:
It Regulates Hormones
Regular massage therapy can regulate hormone levels during pregnancy. Many women experience hormonal imbalances, which can lead to mood swings, increased stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Prenatal massage can provide the desired relief from common emotional and physical challenges.
Hormonal regulation enhances mood and reduces anxiety, which results in improved sleep, lower stress levels, and better overall health for both mother and baby. It helps women feel more balanced and at ease during each trimester. There is powerful evidence that suggests several maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is integrated into prenatal care.
It Helps to Reduce Swelling
Reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus can result in edema or swelling of the joints. Massage can stimulate soft tissues to reduce the collection of fluid in swollen joints. This also improves the removal of tissue waste carried by the lymph system of the body.
It Improves Nerve Pain
Many women in their last trimester experience sciatica nerve pain. It is because the uterus rests on the muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. This pressure spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower legs, which causes swelling and pressure on nearby nerves.
Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension in nearby muscles. It can significantly reduce sciatica nerve pain during this time.
It Relieves Pregnancy Discomfort
The female body undergoes various changes during pregnancy that can cause back pain, neck stiffness, and swelling in the limbs. Prenatal massage targets the specific pain and tension areas and ensures effective relief to manage this discomfort.
It Keeps Stress and Anxiety Away
Changes in hormones and thinking about the pains of childbirth can increase stress and anxiety levels in pregnant women. Prenatal massage focuses on releasing endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good hormones that help to reduce stress and promote relaxation and overall wellness.
It Improves the Quality of Sleep
Sleeping soundly becomes difficult as the pregnancy advances because of changes in body posture, as well as tension in the body. A good massage relaxes the nervous system and soothes tense muscles, which leads to improved sleep quality, ensuring the mother and baby’s health.
It Enhances Blood Circulation
Proper circulation of blood during pregnancy is essential for good fetal growth and also keeps swelling and blood pressure down. Prenatal massage is known for improving circulation, which ensures nutrients are delivered to the vital organs and blood pressure levels are maintained.
It Supports Emotional Well-Being
Massage can significantly uplift your spirit and encourage mindfulness by helping you become more aware of physical sensations and emotions. This therapy provides you with the right space where you can focus on your body’s needs and your unborn child. It facilitates a deeper connection between mind and body, which is often disrupted by anxiety or stress.
Safety Considerations for Getting a Prenatal Massage
It is important to always seek a certified and trained prenatal massage therapist who understands how to address specific pregnancy and massage needs and prioritizes the safety of pregnant women and their unborn child.
A certified therapist knows how pregnancy affects the body and adjusts techniques accordingly.
They understand which areas to avoid and when massage may not be the right choice. They use safe positioning to prevent pressure on the abdomen or vena cava, focus on the comfort and wellness of the mother-to-be, and the baby’s safety.
The best way to address the risks of prenatal massage is to gather information and work with professionals. Before starting any new therapy during pregnancy, consult your healthcare provider or gynecologist to find out if a prenatal massage is safe for you. They may also suggest the best position for prenatal massage based on your specific condition.
Related article: Whole Body Massage Benefits
Is Prenatal Massage Safe Throughout the Entire Pregnancy?
Expectant mothers can get massage at any point in their pregnancy, during the first, second or third trimester. Many facilities do not offer massage to women in their first trimester due to the increased risk of miscarriage associated with the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
It is important to consult your midwife or obstetrician before starting any new therapeutic practice.
When to Avoid Prenatal Massage
Women who have experienced bleeding or pre-term contractions should speak with their healthcare provider before receiving a massage. They should also avoid prenatal massage in any of these conditions:
- High-risk pregnancy
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH)
- Preeclampsia
- Previous pre-term labor
- Blood clothing disorder
- Severe swelling, high blood pressure, or sudden, severe headaches
- Recent birth
In case of intense discomfort or pain during massage, ask your therapist to stop and seek medical advice immediately.
A prenatal massage is a natural, safe way to ease the discomforts of pregnancy while preparing your mind and body for the coming time. The massage therapists at ila Only Spa effectively address your unique body needs without compromising your or your baby’s safety. You can look forward to entering a world of luxury where comfort and safety meet refinement and results. Our spa services enrich your life by nurturing your body and ensuring you are happy and fully prepared to welcome your bundle of joy into this world.Schedule an appointment at ila Only Spa today and give yourself the pampering you deserve!