a time of change

Pregnancy is a time of changes, some eagerly embraced, and others less welcome. Your entire body adapts to the new life growing within you. You also face important life changes at home or at work, with family or friends.

You need and deserve support, especially since two people now depend on your health and vitality. Change, even welcome change, is stressful.

The tension caused by stress, along with the physical changes of pregnancy, can drain your energy for coping day to day.

A soothing massage can relieve physical and emotional tension, help you sleep better, and boost your energy.

before the birth

In addition to reducing stress, you’ll find that regular massage can:

-increase the flow of oxygen and blood to your tissues, accelerating the flow of nutrients to both you and your child.

-relieve the backaches and other pains often experienced during pregnancy.

-decrease swelling and edema, helping drain toxins from your body.

-help you to come to terms with your new, evolving body image.

Massage during pregnancy is quite safe; however, you should be sure to ask your doctor before beginning any kind of massage program.

after the birth

The relaxation that massage provides not only calms you during the stressful postpartum period—it can also speed your recovery.

Because it supports your physical health and vitality, massage can help you adjust to the many changes in your body and the demands of your new life.

When to schedule your first postpartum massage depends on how your delivery went and what your health care provider advises.

massaging baby

Research shows that touch is as essential to proper human development as food, warmth, and shelter. Exposing your baby to regular massage can:

-help your infant digest feedings better, speeding the baby’s weight gain and growth.

-help to increase muscle tone, coordination, and brain functioning.

-stimulate your child’s circulation, helping to heal any birth-related trauma.

-calm your baby’s nervous system.

-establish a pattern of relaxation at an early age, one that your child can follow into adulthood.

-counterbalance frightening, negative message about touch, teaching lessons about
positive touch your child will carry throughout life.

-help you and your baby grow closer to each other.

your comfort during a massage

You will be comfortably supported with pillows or cushions during your massage. If lying down is simply not comfortable, you can remain seated for a relaxing partial massage.

You will be draped with a sheet everywhere except the part of your body being massaged.

It is fine to interrupt your massage when you need to use the restroom.

Be sure to ask any questions you have about massage in general or your session in particular.

Tell your massage therapist if anything feels uncomfortable or if there are areas that you would rather not have massaged (for example, your abdomen).