Is
prenatal massage for you?
Massage during pregnancy is
usually safe for most
mothers. Your massage
therapist will want to know
if you are having any
problems or complications
with your pregnancy before
you begin. If you are, then
your therapist will require
approval from your primary
health care provider before
proceeding with any
bodywork. The following are
circumstances in which
massage should not be
performed:
-
heavy discharge (watery
or bloody);
-
diabetes;
-
contagious illness;
-
fever;
-
vomiting;
-
unusual pain;
-
pre-eclampsia;
-
high blood pressure;
-
morning sickness;
-
abdominal pain;
-
diarrhea;
-
any malignant condition.
Areas of
the body that should not be
massaged include:
-
skin rashes, open sores,
bruises;
-
inflammation;
-
raised or distended
varicose veins;
-
local infection sites.
In
addition to these areas, one
other precaution needs to be
mentioned: Direct and
sustained pressure should
not be applied to the area
between the ankle bone and
heel. This area is
considered by many massage
therapists and
reflexologists to relate
with the uterus and vagina,
and it is thought that heavy
pressure to this area could
promote early labor.
Assuming there are no other
precautions or
considerations, it should be
all right to massage the
rest of the feet.
Massage pointers
Because of the tremendous
physical and hormonal
changes that occur in the
expectant mother, I do not
recommend any massage during
the first trimester. In my
opinion, this is the time
for the mother to get
comfortable with being
pregnant. The second and
third trimesters are
wonderful times to begin
prenatal massage.
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I do
not recommend
massaging so deeply
that pain is ever
felt. The most
effective guide for
determining proper
pressure is open
communication
between the mom and
whoever is massaging
her.
An unscented lotion
is best to use as a
lubricant, since
many pregnant women
have an aversion to
strong odors. The
person giving the
massage should have
short, trim and
smooth nails, and
should avoid wearing
any watches, rings
or other jewelry
that might cut skin
or make noise to
distract from the
experience. The
massage should be
done in a quiet area
away from phones,
traffic, children,
pets, etc. Soft and
soothing music can
add to the
relaxation and
comfort of the
mom-to-be. The room
should be well
ventilated -- having
a fan circulating
the air is a good
idea. |
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The person
giving the
massage
should have
short, trim
and smooth
nails, and
should avoid
wearing any
watches,
rings or
other
jewelry that
might cut
skin or make
noise to
distract
from the
experience.
|
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Massage
can be performed anywhere
from 10 minutes to one hour,
depending on how much time
you have and how much
discomfort you are
experiencing. Once a week
during the second trimester
is great, and twice a week
or more, during the third
trimester is wonderful. In
my practice and in my
teaching, I have found that
my pregnant clients
appreciate their massage
therapy appointments because
they know relief is at hand.
They look forward to their
weekly appointments to ease
recurring problems, such as
sciatica, leg cramps, and
back and round ligament
pain. I hope pregnancy
massage eases any discomfort
you may be feeling, too. |
