Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy can produce muscular discomforts such as leg cramps, muscle stiffness, tension and knots. A massage improves circulation and stimulates blood flow to these areas, easing discomfort and pain.

Extra pressure your uterus places on your legs can lead to swelling in your feet and ankles. Massage can improve circulation and lymph flow to the affected areas, helping to reduce swelling.

A massage may aid in falling asleep and reduce insomnia. You can fall asleep faster and sleep for more extended periods. This could be due to the serotonin produced during the massage, which in turn produces melatonin, which helps us fall asleep.

Pregnancy is stressful, so a massage is a great way to relieve this stress and tension. It can relax and ease anxieties and worries about the pregnancy. Feeling good is essential and is great for your mental health, which can benefit you and the baby and increase emotional endurance.

It feels good, is excellent in promoting relaxation and bonding, soothes nerves, and relieves strained back and tired muscles.

During a healthy pregnancy, and if the Mum-to-be is generally in good health herself, then massage is safe and can also be a wonderful addition to prenatal care.

Women can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy – during the first, second, or third trimester. And in most cases, it is safe and beneficial to receive massage up to and beyond the due date of the pregnancy.

If you have had a massage before, then you know how great it feels. But pregnancy massage is a little different. For example, the positioning during the massage is critical to the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby.

The therapist will also have to adjust their strokes and techniques to accommodate the pregnancy. The massage is always tailored to meet individual requirements.

The best position during massage is on your side with pillows for support, which provides the most stability for the baby and is also most comfortable for you.

The massage table is also designed to be propped up so that you can be on your back in a semi-seated position. It can also be elevated at the legs to reduce swelling

Pregnancy massage can be performed with as much or as little clothing as you’re comfortable wearing – it’s always a personal decision.

Usually we recommend that you keep underwear on, and we use towels for coverage so only the parts that are being massaged are exposed.

Grape seed oil is one of the best oils to use during pregnancy, as it’s perfect for massage and yet doesn’t leave greasy or sticky residue. Further research has also shown that it can make the skin softer and elastic, hence preventing in the formation of stretch marks as well.

We avoid the use of essential oils during pregnancy. This is purely a precautionary measure, and is simply because you may not always know the hidden chemical composition of the oils, or what effect – if any – they could have on a developing baby.