Pre & Post Natal Massage

“Pregnancy can be a stressful time for a woman, especially with external unforeseen circumstances and pre-existing mental health problems which are becoming more prevalent in the modern world. The benefits of massage both antenatally and postnatally should not be underestimated both for the mental wellbeing of the mother, and also for the immediate and longer term wellbeing of the foetus.”

- Dr Alex B McCarthy MBChB

Pre-Natal Massage

Pre-Natal or Pregnancy massage simply refers to the massage of a pregnant woman.

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through so many changes emotionally and physically in preparation for birth. Massage can help to ease the symptoms of these changes by:

  • Improving circulation and oxygenation of soft tissues

  • Aiding lymphatic drainage and reducing swelling

  • Reducing muscle tension

  • Reducing back and joint pain

  • Reducing sciatic nerve pain

  • Improving relaxation and sleep

  • Improving mood and reducing stress hormones

  • Preventing varicose veins

  • Helping to keep blood pressure balanced

  • Helping with digestion to avoid haemorrhoids and constipation

Benefits of massage for the foetus

Pre-natal massage can also have positive effects on the foetus and their development. Some of these benefits include:

  • Improved delivery of oxygenated blood and nutrients through improvement of mother’s circulation

  • A relaxed, calm mother will make a growing baby feel secure and decreased levels of stress hormones will be passed into the baby’s system

  • Babies seem to actively enjoy touch on the mother’s abdomen often responding with movement

  • Touch also seems to help establish patterns of intimacy and sociality for life. Negative touch or touch deprivation has lifelong effects to the babies development.

Post-Natal Massage

During the weeks following labour and delivery, massage can help new mums and their bodies recover after going through such a huge change. The benefits of massage at this stage include:

  • Improving circulation and lymphatic drainage which promotes healing

  • Reduction in feeling of heaviness & exhaustion that often comes with hormonal changes

  • Aids recovery of muscle tone and reduces soreness in abdominal/pelvic area

  • Decrease in muscle tension associated with carrying a little one or breast feeding

  • Increase in relaxation and some much needed time out

  • Encourages the release of oxytocin which lifts mood

Pre-natal massage can commence from 12 weeks, please get in touch if you have any questions about Pre & Post-Natal Massage.