Pregnancy Massage

Holistic approach to Pregnancy

A holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth has the following characteristics:

  •  Considers all aspects of an individual, including the body, mind, and spirit. When we think of health, we most often consider the body and how exercise, nutrition, and other care impact the physical person. But the mind and emotions also play a role, shaping our values and beliefs, our responses to events such as stress, and our relationships and support networks. Finally there is the spiritual component, which is often the hardest to describe. We all have a spiritual aspect, even if we don't have a specific religious tradition, but we may not be sure how to recognize and develop it. If considering spirituality is new to you, start by considering times, places, or things that make you feel peaceful.

A holistic pregnancy and childbirth recognizes the impact of the mind and spirit, as well as the physical body, on the experience of pregnancy and birth. Physical health, values and beliefs, relationships, emotional well-being, and spirituality all affect pregnancy and birth. In turn, the experiences of pregnancy and birth influence body, mind, and spirit. 

  • Trusts the natural progression: A holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth also recognizes that a woman's body is naturally designed to conceive, nourish, and give birth to a baby. It trusts the natural progression of pregnancy and labor.
  • Distinguished from "natural childbirth." Natural childbirth is a term that holds many different meanings to women and healthcare providers. To some, it means a complete avoidance of medication or interventions. To others, it simply means that a woman gave birth vaginally as opposed to having a cesarean section.

A holistic approach to childbearing includes both low-intervention approaches and the appropriate use of technology in a thoughtful and well-considered manner. Each situation is unique, requiring individual choices and care. A holistic approach respects the normal processes of pregnancy and birth, but recognizes the need for assistance if appropriate.

  • Incorporates complementary therapies: Finally, as obstetrician Joel Evans notes, a holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth includes the "use of alternative and complementary therapies to prevent or treat common discomforts and complications of pregnancy, in a way that is consistent with the belief system of the patient."

The Holistic approach incorporates all of who you are and all you know about pregnancy and childbirth. You and your support team recognize your innate capabilities and seek to enhance them. You deliberately make choices that maximize your potential to have the healthiest pregnancy and the most natural progression of labor possible.

 Massage During Pregnancy

Pregnancy and birth is a time of new experiences. Mums-to-be will know that during pregnancy most women feel some discomfort and added stress on their bodies at the different stages in their pregnancies and that a woman’s body undergoes many changes both physically and emotionally. .It is really important for a woman to feel connected to her body and baby. If a woman is connected to her body, then the chances are she will experience the pregnancy as a great time in her life and be stronger for it.  

A pregnancy massage by a therapist who has received specialist training in the field focuses specifically on these needs and as part of any woman’s prenatal care routine this therapeutic treatment will relax and revitalise you, in turn nurturing the new life that grows within you.

Benefits

Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.

Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes one is experiencing.

Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, oedema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet. 

Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and foetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mother and better nourishment for her baby. 

Easing aches caused by muscle tension and shifts in posture as your body accommodates increasing weight

Lessening pain in the pelvic/hip area

Increasing circulation and lessening swelling in such places as hands and lower legs

Reducing fatigue

Promoting deep breathing, thus increasing oxygen supply to your baby

Greatly increasing your sense of well being and calm, thus increasing flow of endorphins to your baby

How many treatments should I have?

You can start having massage treatments in your first trimester, depending on how you feel It is then important to have regular treatments throughout the pregnancy and postnatal ranging from weekly to monthly. Your therapist will advise you accordingly.

All treatments are carried out in the side lying position which is generally considered the safest and most comfortable for most pregnant women,with bolsters and cushions allowing for additional support.ensuring no pressure is put on either your bump or your back. However,alternative positions can be used if they are more comfortable to you (e.g. seated massage). Indeed, the position you find most comfortable may keep changing as your pregnancy advances 

After the birth and your six-week check-up, massage will help the body back into shape and relieve the stress and tiredness of coping with a new baby.

I am also a Trainee birth and postnatal Doula and have trained with Nurturing birth in October 2009. For More information on the Doula service provided, please visit www.holisticpreganancyandbirth.com

 

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