The Facts And Benefits Of Getting A Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massages have been said to make childbirth easier, but its benefits doesn’t stop there as there are still many other reasons that makes them great.

The Facts And Benefits Of Getting A Prenatal Massage - PNSG

As a pregnant mother, you may feel as if you don’t have many options when it comes to selecting a physical treatment that is specifically tailored to your situation. You are not wrong, and we completely understand.

Many treatments are designed for postnatal mothers, and the entire concept of those treatments focuses around the idea of returning you to your pre-pregnancy self.

In reality, there can be just as many problems when you are pregnant as there are when you have already given birth.

Furthermore, no two mothers’ pregnancies are exactly the same. You have your problems, and others do as well.

Just because others do not have as many issues during pregnancy as you do does not indicate that what you are going through is invalid or abnormal. They are, without a doubt, normal, as is caring for them.

Prenatal massage is one of the best options for many soon-to-be mothers as part of their prenatal care routine. Given that you’re here, we’re guessing you’re thinking about doing the same.

Of course, we have your back (both metaphorically and literally) in this situation! You should choose a treatment that is comfortable for your body, and massage is unquestionably a fantastic alternative.

What is a prenatal massage?

A prenatal benefits both you and your growing foetus. One of the main effects of prenatal massage is improving circulations all over your body, potentially helping to ease the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Not to mention, prenatal massage also helps make the childbirth process smoother.
As a soon-to-be mother, you will definitely feel tense or stressed with all the mental stress and physical discomforts that you have to go through. Keep holding on, for there is a solution for every trouble! And the solution for mothers is to get a prenatal massage. What exactly do prenatal massages entail and how do they differ from regular massages? Let’s find out below!

Prenatal Massages VS Regular Massage

Prenatal massages are similar to regular massages; however, they are adapted to the body changes experienced by a woman during pregnancy. In a regular massage, clients usually lay down on their stomachs for half the time and on their backs for the other half. This would not work for a pregnant woman as putting pressure on her stomach like that will disrupt the blood flow that goes to her baby and will leave her feeling pretty nauseous.

To accommodate your condition when you are pregnant, the prenatal massage therapists will have special cushions and pillows prepared to allow you to lie down in a safe and comfortable position as you receive the massage.

In a regular massage, you can expect the therapist to apply more pressure to your arms and legs to soothe your discomfort. In comparison, prenatal massages are much gentler and provide relief without putting you and the baby you carry at risk.

Are prenatal massages safe?

The first thing you should do is ask your doctor whether or not you can get a prenatal massage. Mothers with diabetes, preeclampsia, high blood pressure, fevers, abdominal pain, abdominal bleeding, morning sickness or a contagious virus should avoid prenatal massages.

If you are given the go-ahead, it is advised that you wait until after your 28th week as prenatal massages are known to cause dizziness and induce morning sickness in women during the first three months of their pregnancy.

Find a licensed professional with great reviews, whom you are comfortable with to perform your prenatal massage during your second trimester. Ensure that you do not lie on your stomach as this can create circulation problems. Also, make sure to not apply any unnecessary pain or pressure to your heel or ankle bone as this can trigger contractions. Your abdominal area is also a no go. If your massage therapist does this, communicate your concerns or stop the massage immediately.

You May Also Read this : Steps for Practising Self-Care When You are Pregnant

Can you get a prenatal massage at home?

Sure you can! If you just need some light pressure on parts that are not exactly sensitive for a pregnant mom, you can have your partner gently press them to relieve the tense muscles. This should be done at your own risk and extra care and caution should be taken. Here are a few tips on how you can do a prenatal massage yourself at home:

  • Do not massage the belly area. Simply rub it with Vitamin E oil to soothe and prevent stretch marks
  • Use lotion to glide hands up and down the back to provide comfort and relief using the thumbs or the base of the hand
  • Use the base or the hand or the pads of the fingertips to gently massage the shoulder
  • Apply gentle pressure to the scalp area in a circular motion. You may also massage from the neck area up to the scalp to provide relief
  • Rub the feet gently from the toes to the ankles and the hands to rotate them in a small circular motion. Avoid the ankle bones and heels as too much direct pressure can trigger contractions

On the other hand, if you feel like your discomforts are more severe than normal, then having your unqualified partner or family member might not be the best idea. Instead, what you need is a professional massage, performed by a masseuse who is certified to perform a prenatal massage. There are many prenatal massage therapists in Singapore that do house visits.

The procedure and techniques of a professional prenatal massage therapist differ greatly from other people. They know which areas to target, and most importantly they are familiar with the issues that you face and the kind of things to be alert about.

Benefits of a prenatal massage

While the benefits are abundant, there are possibly more that you do not know about. On that note, here are other reasons for why you should book that prenatal massage soon!

Body Aches

Pregnancy is frequently accompanied by physical discomforts and stressful periods. If you can deal with it or tolerate it for an extended period of time, getting a massage may not need to be on your must-do list just yet – or at least not at the top of the list. ‘Are the physical pains no longer tolerable?’ ask yourself. ‘Are these aches recurring and will they return at some point?’ ‘Do your activities or speed slow down as a result of the aches?’ If you answered yes to all of these questions, it’s time to book that massage. Aside from that, it helps blood flow in the body, this helps to boost the lymphatic system which, in turn, leads to flushing out toxins.

Relax Without Leaving Home

If you are already quite far along, travelling abroad by car, foot, or a mix of the two may not be the greatest option. Consider the following scenario. You go to a massage place and get completely relaxed and immersed in the moment throughout the session. You still have to go home once you’ve finished. That effectively negates all of the lovely results of the massage. You could even feel the need for another massage once you get home. This way, you may get the massage all from the comfort of your own home and continue to relax even after the massage therapist has left.

This relaxation greatly reduces the amount of stress in your body. The massage helps your body release hormones called endorphins, which promote happiness and relaxation while loosening the muscles and balancing out other hormones.

All this relaxing is also great for your mental health as massage helps prevent depression and anxiety, helping to make you feel more grounded throughout your pregnancy.

Wait!

While there are plenty of prenatal massage benefits to be had, we do have to disclose at this point that if you are wondering when to get prenatal massage sessions, we recommend sometime AFTER the 28 week mark and no more than 2 weeks before your EDD.

Closing words

So? Ready to claim those benefits of massage during pregnancy and be pampered in your relaxing session of prenatal massage? Just reach us at PNSG to find out more. We have a team of skilled and certified massage therapists who can tackle your problems once and for all!

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