What Is Pregnancy Massage?

This is a term for any hands-on massage during or after pregnancy (prenatal or postnatal massage).

During the early stages of pregnancy i.e the 15 weeks I will not perform massage, although there is no scientific evidence that there is anything detrimental during this period I air on the side of safety . After the first trimester I have a whole host of therapies in my portfolio designed for each stage of your pregnancy,

Utilizing Aromatherapy massage,  Hydrotherm or seated chair massage to name just a few to stretch those ligaments ease discomfort and calm the mind and body.

Also utilizing my expertise in NLP and Hypnosis to assist with anxiety and stress.   

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

A studys suggest and validate Massage therapy during the stages of pregnancy having  multiple positive effects, including:

• Lowered anxiety
• Decreased back and leg pain
• Lymphatic drainage
• Assist in Venus return
• Improved sleep
• Decreased levels of the hormone norepinephrine directly relating to stress

In another study of pregnancy massage in depressed women, researchers found:

• Increased levels of the "feel-good" hormones serotonin and dopamine
• Decreased levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress
• An overall improvement in mood

Research has shown that, for the general population, massage has other potential benefits. It relieve pain, and assists to boost the immune system’s ability to fight off viruses and tumors.

Birth Attendance

If you have attended the practice during the last trimester I can also attend the birth to support assist and aid our safe and comfortable birthing process.
It also give a bit of support for the Dad who I can assure you can find the whole process very stressful.
I request to meet the father or birthing partner and to work with him / her on at least one occasion to build a bond of trust so we can work as a team on the big day, more often than not the big night.

I Only Use Safe Techniques for Pregnancy Massage

I as a Pregnancy Massage Therapist adapt my techniques to address the changes a woman's body goes through during pregnancy. For instance, blood volume increases dramatically -- as much as

50% -- during pregnancy. Blood flow to the legs often becomes sluggish.
The levels of anticoagulants in the blood -- designed to prevent hemorrhaging during delivery -- naturally rise.

These circulatory changes put a pregnant woman at risk of blood clots in the lower legs, typically in the calves or inner thigh. To be safe, all pregnancy massage experts as myself avoid deep massage and strong pressure on the legs. Using strong pressure could dislodge a blood clot. Instead, they use very light, slow strokes on the legs. Types of massage to avoid on the legs include deep-tissue massage, deep acupressure, shiatsu, cross-fiber friction, and percussive tapping. All leg massage strokes should move toward the heart .

When to avoid Massage

There are very few reasons why anyone shouldn’t enjoy all the benefits that massage can bring during this special time but a few are as follows

• You're experiencing extreme vomiting, or morning sickness
• You're at high risk of miscarriage
• You have a high-risk pregnancy such as placental abruption (where the placenta slightly detaches from the wall of the uterus) or preterm labor

YOUR SUPPORT IS MY NO 1 PRIORITY

I utilise all the tools in my practice to give you the best experience possible, giving advice , hints tips exercises and support all the way through you and your babies journey.

DON’T FORGET THE DADS & PARTNERS

Often the fathers are forgotten during this time. The 9 month journey though exciting can be stressful for the father two , feelings of pressure, responsibility being out of control as they watch the person they love changing and developing through the beautiful amazing stages of pregnancy.  DADS NEED SUPPORT MASSAGE TOO.