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Your pregnancy requirements would be slightly different from the other expectant moms. You may have a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and be active to meet your needs.
Who knows getting a massage during pregnancy may be relieving for you– both physically and mentally.
Now, all that you need to do is consult your healthcare provider and include a certified therapist to give a full-body prenatal massage.
What Are The Techniques of Prenatal Massages?
Before starting off with the massaging session, your therapist also needs to have a discussion with your doctor to know whether you have any pregnancy risks or complications.
The specialist will also discuss the massaging techniques with you, so that you are comfortable. After all, pregnancy massage is hands-on massaging on your body during pregnancy. Rest your therapist will know what techniques to use. He or she will certainly know which areas to target in your body and where to put pressure on – maybe your neck, shoulders, and back. In this way, you can get your breasts, legs, back, and head massaged.
Well! If you are in the second or third trimester of your pregnancy, you should not lie down on your back. Lying down on your back while taking a prenatal massage may put a lot of pressure on those veins that run from the legs to the heart. To give you some comfort, your therapist might both advise you to lie down on your left side on a specially-designed massage table (that will accommodate your baby bump) and give you some comfy pregnancy pillows.
At the end of the session, the specialist will cover you up with a warm towel to make you feel warm.
What Are The Benefits of Pregnancy-safe Massages?
Studies have shown many positive effects of massage therapy during pregnancy. Having said that:
- Since your body increases weight, your back and hips may be stressed out too. Therefore, getting a regular pregnancy-safe massage from your therapist may release you from the stress and pain and help you move comfortably and easily.
- A 2011 and 2017 study found that pregnancy body massage can reduce stress and prevent pregnancy depression and anxiety.
- Well! A study published recently says that, massage for pregnant women can reduce swelling.
- Prenatal massage can pep up your mood.
- It can even improve your slumber.
- Ultimately, when the d – day comes, keep in mind that acupuncture at the time of childbirth may reduce your labour pain.
How To Get a Prenatal Safe Massage At Home?
A professional may not always be available for you to give you a pregnancy massage. In that case, you might just want to include your partner or a close friend, or a relative to use these simple pregnancy massaging tips at home.
A Foot Rub
Give a gentle foot rub by using a lotion and do not forget to apply smooth gentle and circular strokes around the ankle.
A Back Rub
In this pregnancy massaging technique, your partner might take a lotion and use both his hands to move up and down your back. Remember your partner’s hands should only gently glide on your back, thus focusing on your back muscles.
A Shoulder Rub
Your partner would use the base of his hands and gently put pressure on the side of the neck. He might even move his hands in between the shoulder top as well as the bottom or the base of your skull. Repeat the action.
A Scalp Massage
Let your partner again use both his hands for this massaging technique. Alternatively, he might spread out his fingers to gently put stress from the bottom part of the skull to the hairline in a circular motion.
A Belly Massage
Well! You can’t really get a belly massage done during your pregnancy, as pressure on that region can make you feel uncomfortable and may increase your pregnancy risks. But the experts can gently move your hands near your belly with a prenatal massage oil (pregnancy-safe essential oils) to keep your skin smooth and help you reduce your prenatal stretch marks.
When To Avoid Prenatal Massage?
You should avoid getting a massage during your pregnancy, when your doctor says that you have risks including:
- High blood pressure
- Preeclampsia
- Blood clots
- Placental complications like placenta previa
- Gestational diabetes
- Along with this, try not take pregnancy massage in the first trimester of your pregnancy as there might be an increased risk of miscarriage.
All said and done after you have enjoyed one session of prenatal massage, include this in your pregnancy routine for 50 to 60 minutes everyday and see the magic.