Massage is a relaxing treatment that has the added bonus of being especially good for you. It is one form of “medicine” most people delight in taking! Massage is a wonderful way to reduce stress and promote general well-being.
While you are pregnant, your body is undergoing stress-producing changes. Massage pleasantly and effectively eliminates many of the adverse effects of stress and the accompanying discomforts. Let’s look briefly at some of the physiological changes that occur during a massage and see how they benefit your health and the health of your developing baby:
• Massage will help prepare you for an easier delivery. Self-massage to the perineum also promotes flexibility and elasticity. It might actually help you avoid an episiotomy.
• Massage stimulates glandular secretions, stabilizing your hormonal levels and making their side effects less severe.
• Massage to the legs can control varicose veins, and the draining effect of massage facilitates reduction of oedema (swelling) of the extremities.
• An increase in general circulation offers a rise of blood to all areas of your body, including the placenta. This brings greater nutrition to the tissues of the body and enhances waste product removal.
• “Lazy” red blood cells lining the vessel walls are reintroduced into circulation, thus increasing the red blood cell count. This is of particular importance to those women with anaemia. A rise in the red blood cell count also helps to eliminate fatigue, since more oxygen-carrying haemoglobin is released into the bloodstream.
• The lymphatic system circulates faster and more efficiently. The result is more energy and less fatigue.
• The strain on the muscles of the lower back, abdomen, and shoulders can be greatly reduced through massage. As your pregnancy advances to its final trimester, this relief will be most welcome.
• Muscle tone can increase with regular massage. Muscle spasms and knots are easily released, and muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints enjoy greater flexibility. This is most advantageous during labour.
• Massage sedates the nervous system, producing much-needed rest and relaxation. In utero, your baby feels the same way. Frazzled nerves are lovingly soothed, and insomnia will be relieved.
Many of the problems that arise during pregnancy are due to muscle strain, weakness, and poor posture. As wall as massage, regular exercise will increase your energy, strengthen the muscles most strained during pregnancy and labour, stimulate circulation, increase flexibility in the joints, and control swelling in the extremities.
One of the best overall workouts is swimming. It places no stress on the joints and is an efficient aerobic exercise and toner. Walking or cycling are also wonderful activities that are safe for pregnant women. Weight training is becoming popular to give added muscle tone and strength in preparation for childbirth. Many exercise classes are specially designed for pregnant women. These classes are very beneficial in controlling weight gain and maintaining muscle tone. Exercise also has the advantage of providing the pregnant woman with a sense of control over her ever-changing body, and it boosts her ofttimes fragile self-image. Consult with your physician or health care provider before beginning any program of exercise.
BABY MASSAGE
Infant massage by the mother is popular in many cultures, especially India, and is growing in popularity in the West. Massage can help babies sleep better at night, as well as support it’s wee body as it grows. If suffering from postnatal depression a study has shown that massaging their baby can help the mother to relate and interact better.
There are times during your pregnancy when you should NOT receive a massage.
• When you have morning sickness, nausea, or vomiting
• With any vaginal bleeding or discharge
• When you have a fever
• When you notice a decrease in foetal movement over a twenty-four-hour period
• When you have diarrhoea
• If you experience pain in the abdomen or anywhere else in your body
• If you notice excessive swelling in your arms or legs
Do not massage directly on top of a bruise or skin irritation; this includes direct massage to keloid scars (raised, red scars often caused from a previous C-section or other surgical procedure)
Do not massage immediately after eating; wait at least two hours, if your doctor or health care provider disapproves for any other medical reason
MASSAGE AT HOME
You don’t need a lot of equipment to make the massage a pleasurable experience. However, you will need:
• A warm room free from drafts, breezes, and noise
• Some sort of cushioning for the floor, such as a sleeping bag, mat, or blanket
• Towels
• Pillows
• Massage oil (go to our gifts & giftcards section to see the massage oils we love)
• Clean hands and short fingernails
• Music and candlelight to enhance the mood
In the month of March Relax are pleased to inform you that our range of Mama Mio products are now on special offer
