Prenatal Massage: A Short Information and Its Benefits

When you’re looking for relief from sore muscles and swollen joints during pregnancy (and trust us, we know that is a common occurrence), look to massage! There are plenty of reasons why you should add massage to your daily life, whether it is a quick foot rub from your partner or a prenatal massage from a professional. Not only will it relax your muscles and feel amazing, but it also comes with multiple health benefits.

A prenatal massage is a full body massage performed by a certified prenatal massage therapist that is similar to a Swedish massage (like what you might experience at a spa) except for a few modifications with body positioning that can ensure the safety and comfort for both mother and baby.  Women should always have a discussion with their prenatal care provider about their health before deciding on any type of massage therapy. 

Let’s dive right into some of the many benefits of prenatal massage:

1. Reduce Swelling

When your feet, legs, and hands start swelling during pregnancy, it is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels. Massage can help stimulate the soft tissue, move the extra fluid, and reduce the swelling, leaving you feeling more comfortable.

2. Relieve Lower Back Pain

Pregnancy massage improves lower back pain including sciatic nerve pain by addressing the tight muscles in the affected area. Prenatal massage increases blood flow and helps release the tension that can be brought on naturally by pregnancy.

3. Improve Sleep

Getting good quality sleep becomes harder and harder as your pregnancy progresses. Prenatal massage relaxes the nervous system and releases feel-good hormones. This will leave you more relaxed and let you sleep better. That is something we all need!

4. Prepare Your Body for Labor and Birth

Prenatal Massage can help you have an easier delivery, not only because it can reduce your overall stress level but also because of how well it can keep your muscles toned and relaxed in advance of the start of labour. Studies show that women reportedly had shorter hospital stays, shorter labours and less incidence of post-natal depression when receiving massages.

5. Relieve Pain Naturally

Prenatal massage offers a natural, safe, drug-free alternative for pain relief. This is beneficial since the use of medications is limited during pregnancy for the safety of your baby.  The increased blood flow to your tissues and the relaxation your body will experience during and after a session can significantly alleviate many of the common discomforts of pregnancy.