Massage and Movement for Pregnancy and Labour

During Pregnancy the body undergoes a huge amount of change and it can feel like its not your own! Aches and pains appear from nowhere, you can become short of breath, experience sickness, sleeplessness, dizzy spells, constipation and of course your hormones are treating you to a whole host of extreme emotions. And this is just in a pregnancy without complications!

Massage

Massage during pregnancy is extremely beneficial for the well-being of the mother-to-be:

• easing aches and pains,
• helping with lymphatic drainage and so reducing the effects of swelling (oedema) and also carpal tunnel pain.
• stretching the limbs and the body so that feelings of cramp, compression and shortness of breath are relieved.

Most importantly, the Massage is designed to be relaxing.  It allows time for the pregnant mother to think about, feel and connect with the growing child within her. 

Partners

Included with the massage is advice on movement and positions to help the Pregnant Woman remain healthy during her pregnancy. I often work with the Partner too so that he/she can help the Pregnant Mother with massage, stroking or simply holding her.

Labour

Often clients are very nervous about the Labour, and have read lots of books or seen videos which haven’t helped to alleviate this fear at all!  One of the most difficult problems with trying to imagine and plan for Labour is that anything could happen.  I teach techniques to help manage the pain, to help the baby to travel on its journey, to help control anxiety and panic and to help the pregnant woman and her partner to feel in control so the Labour does not need to be frightening or unmanageable.

Women who aren’t enjoying their Pregnancy and who aren’t looking forward to the Labour are less likely to choose to have Massage Therapy, but it is precisely these women who would benefit most. The Massage is for the Woman, and it is tailored to support her through whatever problems she is facing.

I had a little boy in 2005 and a little girl in 2007 and as a therapist I found that complementary therapies helped to keep my body and mind balanced, and I believe that as a result of using complementary therapies I recovered faster after their births.  I think that by taking control of your Pregnancy and Labour, using positions and Movements to help you and your baby, you can achieve a positive and enjoyable experience.