A massage just plain feels good. Getting a massage while you're pregnant can help alleviate common complaints of pregnancy such as lower back pain or leg discomfort. There is more to pregnancy massage than an hour or so of good feelings. Regular massages during pregnancy can actually cut your risk of certain pregnancy complications and can also protect the health of your unborn baby. Ask your doctor for recommendations of massage therapists who are well-trained in pregnancy massage.
Physical Benefits for Mom
Massage can help reduce stress on weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and lower back, which can reduce pregnancy discomfort and pain. Getting a massage also helps keep heartbeat normal, regulates blood pressure and can ease headaches, heartburn and constipation, all common complaints during pregnancy. Massage can also reduce the swelling often associated with pregnancy. Regular massages can promote better and more restorative sleep during pregnancy, as well.
Mental Benefits for Mom
The touch of another human being can help reduce stress hormones, such as cortisol, and increase feel-good hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. The relaxation associated with getting a massage can ease stress and help regulate mood. Getting regular massages might reduce the risk of depression and anxiety during pregnancy. Continuing to get massages after delivery can help lower the risk of postpartum depression.
Benefits During Labor and Delivery
Massages are relaxing, and when used during labor and delivery, can make the entire childbirth process easier and less painful. In fact, massage can be used as an alternative to medications, such as an epidural, that ease pain. A back massage can also reduce lower back pain, which is quite common during labor and delivery. Massage during labor and delivery can also help keep you calm, ease anxiety and promote relaxation so you're not focusing on the discomfort associated with giving birth. The touch of a massage can offer support and positive human interaction during labor and delivery, too.
Benefits for Baby
Prenatal massage increases blood circulation to your uterus and the placenta, which helps transport oxygen and nutrients to your unborn baby. These nutrients help support the normal growth and development of your unborn baby. Women who have massages while pregnant are also less likely to go into early labor, have premature babies or deliver low birth weight babies. Mothers who get massages are also more likely to deliver babies who score well on newborn health assessments.
For more information about the many benefits of massage, contact a company like Imagine Wholeness.
Share9 January 2015
Are you pregnant or planning to conceive? If so, it is time to begin learning about the medical professionals that will work with you through the nine months of pregnancy and through the labor and delivery. Many women are unaware of the important role that a midwife plays throughout a pregnancy. Knowing what a midwife does and how having a midwife can help you through what can be a difficult time will help you find one that you will feel comfortable with. My site is filled with information about pregnancy, labor and delivery and working with a midwife to help other soon-to-be mothers make the decisions that are best for their situations.