Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage is suitable any time after you've had your twelve week scan and is reported to have a number of benefits for you and your baby. Childbirth is one of the most momentous challenges in a woman's life and Positive Birth aims to work with you in pregnancy to prepare and empower you to achieve the most satisfying experience possible. In pregnancy your body is changing almost as rapidly as your baby and massage is a safe and effective way to support and help relieve any unwanted symptoms of pregnancy as well as nourish you and your baby.
Being a qualified midwife and complementary therapist I am trained to support and work with any specific ailments your pregnancy may bring but I do also encourage you to inform your named midwife when you commence any massage, aromatherapy, Indian head massage or reflex zone therapy. Your first appointment will involve a consultation and it can be helpful for you to bring your hand held maternity notes with you as this may alert me to any relevant medical history.
The massage is performed with you lying on your side on a massage couch with plenty of cushions and supports for your maximum comfort, the semi-supine position can be used for the legs, feet, neck, face and scalp massage. I can provide a massage wherever suits you and if its a home visit you're looking for during pregnancy, during labour or after baby's arrival, I can bring a portable massage couch or a futon for the floor.
Receiving regular massage treatments may;
- Enable you to cope better with stress and fatigue
- Support your transition into motherhood
- Relieve pregnancy symptoms such as fluid retention, leg cramps and back ache.
- Ease aches and pains
- Relieve carpal tunnel, leg & hip pain
- Encourage relaxation
- Release tension
- Improve energy levels
- Enhance body awareness
- Help you adjust to normal physiological changes of pregnancy
- Improve your quality of sleep
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Prepare you mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually for labour
Studies have also shown massage to reduce the likelihood of anxiety induced preterm labour and subsequent low birthweight babies. The positive psychological effects have shown to continue into the postnatal period with regular massage treatments.
