Pregnancy can stress you more than any other time in your life. Whether it's your first time or not, the stress levels endured by expectant mothers don't go down much. It is imperative to ensure that you are stress-free. After all, stressful experiences are not suitable for a growing baby.
One of the most common ways to relieve stress-related problems is to get a good massage over a long period. While everyone can get massages, they're great for mothers, too.
What is a prenatal massage?
A prenatal massage is not very different from a regular massage. This action aims to help the mother feel relaxed, relieve stress or tension from the muscles, reduce aches and pains, and improve blood flow in the body. For this, during pregnancy, the body parts that can be involved are massages from the feet to the head. Pregnant women often get prenatal massages to relieve everyday aches and pains, and trained therapists can adjust these massages to meet their specific needs.
Prenatal massages must be administered by trained trainers certified in such massages, as there are differences in massage techniques and areas of focus for pregnancy massage. For example, pregnancy weakens the ligaments, making them unbalanced, especially during stress or force. Trained trainers know which areas are most affected by pregnancy labor pains and which areas to avoid.
When can you get a massage?
Although it sounds harmless, and it is, there is a misconception that prenatal massage early in pregnancy is harmful to the developing fetus. As a result, many massage centers offer pregnancy massage to pregnant women in their first trimester. However, experts have found that massages do not affect the baby in any way. Most experts use These messages throughout pregnancy, as they are beneficial. The usual schedule is once every two weeks until the third trimester and once every week thereafter.
Benefits of massage during pregnancy
Prenatal massage offers many benefits, including these 11 important ones:
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- It helps reduce stress on joints that bear weight, which reduces stress on the body's muscles, including tendons and ligaments.
- Relieves many common discomforts that affect pregnant women, including back pain, leg pain, headaches, leg cramps, and joint stiffness.
- It helps lower the chances of acidity, sore throat, fatigue, acid reflux, nasal congestion, and hip pain in mothers.
- It improves blood circulation, which boosts immunity and removes toxins.
- It helps decrease the risk of depression, stress, and anxiety by restoring the body's hormonal balance.
- It facilitates the release of endorphins in the body, which helps the mother sleep better and feel more relaxed.
- It improves muscle tone and flexibility, making it easier for the mother to carry the extra weight.
- It helps maintain normal blood pressure and reduces strain on the heart.
- Improves the health of the skin and internal organs
- It improves blood circulation to the uterus and placenta, helping to nourish the fetus.
- It has an analgesic effect on the nervous system and helps with the easy delivery of the baby.
Things to do before the massage
When doing massage at home
Remember to be as flexible and relaxed as possible when having a massage in your home. Talk to your physiotherapist or masseuse and discuss in detail the painful areas and the areas that don't need much care.
When doing massage at the clinic
If you plan to get a massage from a certified or trained professional at his clinic, first, you need to make yourself comfortable with the room environment. You must also talk openly with your instructor, who may ask you to remove all clothing to complete the massage correctly. So keep that in mind and prepare yourself accordingly.
How to lie on a massage table while pregnant?
Avoid lying flat on your back during a massage in the later stages of pregnancy. This can constrict any blood vessels running through your back, lowering blood pressure. Back-lying during pregnancy is usually recommended for mothers prenatally. Trained therapists also perform massages, even when they use oil. However, some tables have a deep cut-out in the abdominal area, which allows the mother to face down. It enables you to lie comfortably.
Should you avoid any places during a massage?
Not many places should be avoided during prenatal massage, except for a few spots on the ankles and palms, as they can cause uterine contractions. Therefore, it is best to consult a trained massage therapist before starting prenatal massage.
3 Safety Tips for Prenatal Massage
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- The most important precaution to take is to discuss the potential issues of massage with your doctor.
- If you take up this massage process with your husband, ensure he knows some remarkable differences between oil massage during pregnancy and usual oil massage. Educational articles and YouTube videos will help a lot in this regard. But as much as possible, try to have it done by an experienced practitioner.
- Also, remember not to use any materials or substances you are allergic to or may interfere with the massage.
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5 Best Techniques for Massage
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- Back: For back pain, the massage should start from the neck and be done firmly downwards to your back. However, to avoid problems, avoid putting any pressure on the spine.
- Buttocks: Lightly massage the base of the spine with your hands' knuckles, but avoid the tailbone near the back.
- Feet: To reduce pressure on the feet, you can make strokes in a circular and lateral motion from the soles of the feet to the hips.
- Hands and feet: Muscle aches aren't usually the problem here; fluid retention—which causes swelling in the hands and feet—is the leading cause of discomfort. The massage should increase blood circulation with the thumbs along the body's center.
- Neck: Neck muscle tension can be relieved by extensively massaging the shoulder area with the thumbs.
Tips for your husband during a massage
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- The environment is important for helping your wife relax, so keep the lighting soft.
- Make sure your partner can sleep comfortably, and use a few pillows to make it more comfortable.
- If you plan to use an essential oil, it's best to know if it's safe during pregnancy.
Alternatives to prenatal massage
There are no substitutes for a proper prenatal massage, as it can have a significant effect if performed correctly. However, some of the more common massages commonly performed can be substituted, including shiatsu techniques or acupuncture. Acupressure and foot reflexology are alternatives that have the same effect on the mother.
When should massages be avoided?
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- You need to avoid massages while experiencing nausea and morning sickness.
- Pregnant women who are at high risk of miscarriage should avoid prenatal massages.
What can you expect after the massage?
After the massage, women can experience deep sleep and a sense of relaxation. This improves blood circulation and reduces muscle pain. It also helps the body better bear the increased weight and carry the body, thus leaving the woman feeling refreshed for a more extended period.
Conclusion
Pregnancy or prenatal massage can work wonders to make you feel better and relaxed. But like any action during pregnancy, you must take proper caution when getting a massage. Ensure you get the massage from an experienced, trained person to get the proper benefits for you and your baby. Pregnancy is a very sensitive time, so consult your doctor before making any decisions.