Congratulations, because if you are reading this, most likely you are pregnant, or perhaps you have just decided to take the plunge into parenthood and the pregnancy is very soon to begin…… What a beautiful investment and achievement.!
And so begins your amazing journey, filled with a rollercoaster of changes in every area of your life! This will be one of the most important and beautiful 9 months of your life. There will most likely be a colourful timeline of feelings, ranging from joy and elation to nausea and tears, from excitement and beauty to stretching and aching, from laughter and wonder to cravings and discomfort and um there may be a little swearing at the end of it all.
Worry not beautiful mamas, we understand completely….. we have been there!!! And we are here to help. Read on….
How pregnancy massage differs from regular massage
As a pregnancy is made up of 3 different trimesters, the massage do’s and don’ts will change with each trimester and with each mama’s individual health and circumstances.
While there are special considerations when massaging pregnant mama’s, we are reminded that while exceptionally precious, you are not broken, and we have the same end result in mind for all of our clients….relief from pain and stress!
We take a comprehensive history of your health and well-being at the beginning of your treatment and our therapists are all certificate-trained in specialised pregnancy massage. We understand the special needs and considerations that come with pregnancy, so you can rest assured that you and your precious bundle are in good hands.
· If you are in the first trimester, you will be offered a comfy massage either laying supported on your tummy, or if nausea or discomfort are an issue, you will be supported in a side lying position.
· In your second trimester we massage you in either a side lying position, or we use a special pregnancy mat that accommodates your bump safely while you relax on your tummy.
· In your final trimester, most mamas are so happy to actually be able to lay face down on the pregnancy mat, as this position is a rare luxury that has not been possible for months! As long as there are no pregnancy complications and mama is comfortable, this position is safe for both mum and bub. There is also the side lying option the whole way through.
While understanding how to support the varying changes of each trimester and that the needs of each woman is a little different, our massage therapists are able to treat and relieve neck, shoulder, upper and lower back tension and pain, just like in a regular massage.
How often should I get a pregnancy massage
Regular pregnancy massage will help to prepare your body for the birth, will aid in relieving pain and tension, will reduce stress levels and will help you to have better, less interrupted sleep.
If you can make it to a massage weekly, go you!! Though this is not always possible. We find that most women book monthly from the very beginning, up until about week 30, then it becomes more frequent as the baby gets bigger. Most women are really needing the extra support in the later stages of pregnancy. It is a very beautiful journey that we as therapists are so honoured to share with our clients.
Some of the changes a pregnant mama will experience
Some of these changes are clear and defined, like the physical changes our bodies go through and the practical changes and adjustments we make in our lives to accommodate the growing bundles.
· The ligaments soften and stretch
· the belly gets rounder and heavier, causing the centre of gravity to shift
· the physical body must adjust and begins to compensate, often resulting in aches and pains
· fluid get redistributed or retained, presenting as oedema, contributing to tight acing skin
· tighter skin, fascia and muscles
· hormone and tension related headaches
· sciatica
· back and pelvic pain with the growing uterus
· carpel tunnel is common during pregnancy
Other changes are subtle like the hormonal and emotional journey that ensues.
There may be some underlying tension of carrying the increasing belly weight around until its finally time to take maternity leave, or the ongoing fatigue from trying to keep up with a toddler!
· Stress levels can raise with the anxiety of the pending birth or parenthood
· There may be also be fatigue from broken sleep
· With so many demands on her body, a mama just needs some special time to nurture and care for herself.
Benefits of Massage to the mama
Massage is of wonderful benefit to women growing babies. Not only does the mama get flooded with the feel-good love hormone ‘oxytocin’ when she is relaxed, and feels supported, (as the fight or flight stress response finally switches off during a nurturing massage), but the growing bub also gets the benefit of this love hormone crossing the placenta helping bub to some extra intrauterine loving. Some more of the benefits include
· Helps sooth and relax nervous tension
· Reduces oedema
· Aids in elimination of waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
· Improves sleep pattern for mama
· Eases leg cramps
· Eases hip and lower back pain
· Eases back and neck pain, reducing headaches (reducing the need for painkillers)
· Improves muscular flexibility (very helpful during last trimester)
· Improves mamas energy levels
· Aids circulation, easing the load on mamas heart.
· Postnatal massage aids in regaining mamas strength and easing postpartum stress.
And as inspiring women in all communities, the blossoming mamas continue to grow and nurture new life amidst busy family and work life schedules. It’s a mammoth undertaking this baby growing business!!
We can make it all better
Take some time out mama, to just melt into a deep safe space, just for you and the little love within, no interruptions, no more demands, no expectations.
We offer a nurturing space for all our blossoming mamas to embrace some 'time out', to just get on with growing that little one, and forget about the world for a while. Relieving the aches and pains, flooding the body with feel good hormones, releasing muscular tension, and allowing the body's fight or flight response (stress)
to switch off for a while.
Let us share this journey with you, wrap you up in warmth, and nurture your body, so that your body can nurture the little love within.
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