Each of us responds differently to pregnancy, both physically and emotionally. Maybe you love being pregnant. You feel that ‘glow’ that the magazines like to talk about. You’re excited about your baby’s arrival and the changes it will bring. If this is you, regular massage during pregnancy can enhance this special time and help you relax further as you prepare to meet your baby.
For many people though, pregnancy doesn’t feel like that all of the time. Sometimes you might feel completely wiped out. Or unsure of the changes taking place in your body. Or overwhelmed by the changes a baby will bring, whether it’s your first, second or fifth. One way or another your body and mind feel overloaded, even if you are excited too.
And this is where pregnancy massage really comes into its own. Exhaustion isn’t just about lack of sleep, though sleep can be hard to come by in the later stages of pregnancy. It’s also about that feeling of being snowed under and unable to cope. Massage works to support both your body and mind to alleviate that exhausted by pregnancy feeling.
Massage helps your body
Massage can help relieve a number of physical ailments exacerbated by pregnancy, including:
Massage helps your wellbeing
Massage helps with hormone regulation, reducing levels of hormones associated with stress, and boosting levels of hormones associated with good mood. This promotes a feeling of relaxation, which in turn can help you achieve better sleep.
For those with a history of depression, massage can help to reduce symptoms. Massage reduces cortisol levels (cortisol is commonly known as the ‘stress’ hormone ) and raises levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Put simply, after a massage you are likely to feel better. You’ll feel more relaxed, more able to cope and more connected to yourself. These effects don’t fade as soon as your massage is over. You carry them with you into the days and weeks that follow. So regular massage throughout pregnancy can bring a sense of comfort, ease and calm as you prepare to meet your baby.
Time for you
Pregnancy can be a confusing and overwhelming time. Advice comes at you from all fronts - whether that’s medical experts, friends and family or self-appointed internet gurus. Pregnancy massage is a time for you to put all that to one side and simply relax, knowing that you’re in good hands.
As a doula I have a wealth of experience working with people before, during and after their births. And many people like to sound out their concerns when they come for a massage. I’m always happy to chat, and listen to what’s on your mind. Equally, I’m happy to work in quiet if that’s what you prefer. I certainly don’t offer unsolicited advice! Your massage can be a sanctuary away from all of that. It’s a time for you to feel cared for, and to step back from decision-making and responsibilities for a while.
I don’t currently attend births but I do offer antenatal sessions to talk through any pregnancy and labour-related questions in more depth. The massage couch can be a time to offload, but it’s not the place for in-depth discussions. Whether you want space to discuss options related to antenatal care, or your preferences to do with birth, I can provide relevant information and hold space for you to come to a decision that suits you.
Book a pregnancy package tailored to you
I offer a ‘buy-five-get-one-free’ package for my pregnancy services.
You can split these across massage and doula support - and you can even have massage sessions after the birth of your baby if that’s what suits you. So you can tailor-make a package that’s perfect for your pregnancy. You might have six massage sessions, or four massage sessions and two doula consultations, or any combination that you want. You don’t need to decide in advance - we can be flexible around your changing needs as you go through your pregnancy.
If you would like to discuss booking a massage, or a pregnancy package, I’d love to hear from you. You can book a chat with me via the email or phone listed here.
For many people though, pregnancy doesn’t feel like that all of the time. Sometimes you might feel completely wiped out. Or unsure of the changes taking place in your body. Or overwhelmed by the changes a baby will bring, whether it’s your first, second or fifth. One way or another your body and mind feel overloaded, even if you are excited too.
And this is where pregnancy massage really comes into its own. Exhaustion isn’t just about lack of sleep, though sleep can be hard to come by in the later stages of pregnancy. It’s also about that feeling of being snowed under and unable to cope. Massage works to support both your body and mind to alleviate that exhausted by pregnancy feeling.
Massage helps your body
Massage can help relieve a number of physical ailments exacerbated by pregnancy, including:
- Nerve pain: this is a common problem in pregnancy as the growing uterus puts pressure on muscles in the lower back and upper leg areas, which in turn put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage can help reduce tension in muscular tissue, thus relieving pressure on the nerves and reducing pain.
- Swelling: pregnancy can cause swelling around your joints because of the increased pressure your body is under. By increasing blood circulation and gently stimulating the soft tissue, massage can help reduce swelling.
- Aches and pains: the placenta releases the hormone relaxin during pregnancy to help your ligaments loosen to get ready for birth. This can cause joint pain across your body. Massage helps to combat this pain by increasing blood circulation around these areas.
Massage helps your wellbeing
Massage helps with hormone regulation, reducing levels of hormones associated with stress, and boosting levels of hormones associated with good mood. This promotes a feeling of relaxation, which in turn can help you achieve better sleep.
For those with a history of depression, massage can help to reduce symptoms. Massage reduces cortisol levels (cortisol is commonly known as the ‘stress’ hormone ) and raises levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Put simply, after a massage you are likely to feel better. You’ll feel more relaxed, more able to cope and more connected to yourself. These effects don’t fade as soon as your massage is over. You carry them with you into the days and weeks that follow. So regular massage throughout pregnancy can bring a sense of comfort, ease and calm as you prepare to meet your baby.
Time for you
Pregnancy can be a confusing and overwhelming time. Advice comes at you from all fronts - whether that’s medical experts, friends and family or self-appointed internet gurus. Pregnancy massage is a time for you to put all that to one side and simply relax, knowing that you’re in good hands.
As a doula I have a wealth of experience working with people before, during and after their births. And many people like to sound out their concerns when they come for a massage. I’m always happy to chat, and listen to what’s on your mind. Equally, I’m happy to work in quiet if that’s what you prefer. I certainly don’t offer unsolicited advice! Your massage can be a sanctuary away from all of that. It’s a time for you to feel cared for, and to step back from decision-making and responsibilities for a while.
I don’t currently attend births but I do offer antenatal sessions to talk through any pregnancy and labour-related questions in more depth. The massage couch can be a time to offload, but it’s not the place for in-depth discussions. Whether you want space to discuss options related to antenatal care, or your preferences to do with birth, I can provide relevant information and hold space for you to come to a decision that suits you.
Book a pregnancy package tailored to you
I offer a ‘buy-five-get-one-free’ package for my pregnancy services.
You can split these across massage and doula support - and you can even have massage sessions after the birth of your baby if that’s what suits you. So you can tailor-make a package that’s perfect for your pregnancy. You might have six massage sessions, or four massage sessions and two doula consultations, or any combination that you want. You don’t need to decide in advance - we can be flexible around your changing needs as you go through your pregnancy.
If you would like to discuss booking a massage, or a pregnancy package, I’d love to hear from you. You can book a chat with me via the email or phone listed here.
RSS Feed
