Can’t just any massage therapist do pregnancy massage? How is massage during Pregnancy different to regular Massage? The biggest differentiation is that the person receiving the massage is pregnant and therefore knowledge of pregnancy and the anatomy of a pregnant woman are very important. This means that positioning during a massage is critical to the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby she is carrying. There are also parts of the body that should not be massaged and trigger points that should not be stimulated and worked on. Is there anything else you offer to the pregnant women you massage? I also teach and explain the importance of posture during pregnancy and how to best position themselves during sleep, sitting and working. I also have lots of helpful information for my clients that will help them through this very special time. I am also a trained Naturopath and Herbalist and have done extra training with Midwives and birth work including Optimal Maternal Positioning and Spinning. With this extra training, I help Mums with diet and lifestyle and help to dispel myths and misconceptions that mums or mums to be may come across during their special time. Can I have an extended massage on a table with a cut out for my belly? During pregnancy, the mucus membranes of the nasal passages swell, often producing more mucus. Laying face down is quite uncomfortable for the sinuses of a pregnant woman and respiration is impeded which is definitely not want you want when you are relaxing. What is the ambiance like in your practice? What do I wear to a Specialised Massage Treatment? Can all pregnant women be massaged? Massage done during the first trimester is generally up to the therapist, the woman and her practitioner, although there is no real problem if the woman is healthy. In many cases massage can help nausea. This is done by releasing stress and tension located around the upper back. There are also points on the lower part of the arm that may be effective in helping with the management of nausea during pregnancy. >Can Massage be done during labour? The time to learn the techniques is while you’re pregnant and before you go into labour. Are these treatments covered by my health fund? Do you supply gift vouches?
Just being a massage therapist doesn’t mean that the person is qualified to give massage to pregnant and postnatal women. A brochure that offers pregnancy massage doesn’t always mean the person carrying out the massage is qualified to perform this type of massage. Ask the therapist if they had done advanced training in pregnancy and postpartum massage and where they have done their training.
The massage table will be set up so you will lie in a semi-reclined or side lying position. This is not only extremely comfortable but safe for the baby. Also the side lying position is important in helping with the treatment of the lower back and hips and in the gentle lymph drainage of the legs. As the pregnant mum is turned from one side to the other, special stretching is taught to help position the baby well. Body pillows, wedge pillows and extra padding are used to make the pregnant mum comfortable during the massage. The table legs are elevated at the head end to help relieve the pressure in the stomach area and if re-flux is an issue, a wedge pillow is used to even further elevate the pregnant mum.
Massage has never been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.
It is a great idea to organised a workshop with us to learn massage techniques for pregnancy, birth and beyond, we also teach stretching techniques and tools that the mum and partner can use together for their birth.