by Michele Gee
1. Fights Depression and Anxiety
Regular massage during pregnancy helps to regulate and balance stress hormones, alleviating depression and anxiety. We all know that pregnancy hormones can be a bit extreme so giving your body a little extra soothing touch can go a long way for lifting your spirits. Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the body’s time to “rest and digest”. During a massage, cortisol and norepinephrine, both associated with stress, are decreased and dopamine and serotonin, which are both mood enhancers, are increased. As most of us tend to live highly intense, fast-paced lives that are ruled by our sympathetic nervous system - “fight or flight” - it is so important that we balance this lifestyle out with some restful healing massage.
2. Keeps You Healthy and Energetic
Massage increases lymph flow, boosting your immunity. The lymphatic system helps to rid the body of toxins and circulates infection-fighting white blood cells. Fatigue is often the result of a sluggish lymphatic system so giving it a jump-start with massage can really increase your energy. Reducing the amount of toxins frees up energy in your body so you can use it for doing what you love!
3. Increases Blood Circulation
Getting more blood circulating through both mother and baby decreases swelling and inflammation. So often pregnant women experience swelling in the feet, legs, and hands which can be very uncomfortable. Moving the blood also gets more nutrients to you and your baby.
4. Eases Common Pregnancy Discomforts
Common muscular discomforts of pregnancy are eased with regular massage. Receiving massage during pregnancy can relieve sciatic pain, calf cramps, headaches, neck, shoulder, hip, and low backaches. Combining massage with regular exercise and stretching is the best way to prepare your body for your upcoming birth.
5. Promotes Better Sleep
Sleep during pregnancy is often disrupted whether it’s by a pesky bladder or hormonal shifting. It is so important to get lots of rest during pregnancy because this is the time that the body uses for healing and rejuvenating. Especially toward the end of pregnancy,as your body prepares for labor and birth, it is vital to be well rested. Regular massage helps to promote sleep by decreasing stress hormones.
6. Builds Bonding and Connection Between Mama and Baby
Being pregnant can be a joyful time in a woman’s life. Taking some special time away from your busy life to connect with your body and your baby is a great way to prepare for motherhood. Staying in the present moment is the key to an empowering labor and birth and will spill over into your mothering years as an essential tool for coping with the unpredictable nature of parenting.
The benefits of prenatal massage go well beyond the six listed here. Studies show that women who receive prenatal massage are more likely to have shorter labors as well as reduced anxiety. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10212885
Do keep in mind that massage is contraindicated for certain conditions during pregnancy. If you have been deemed “high risk”, make sure you get a waiver from your care provider before seeking prenatal massage. Massage during the first trimester is also controversial because of the increased risk of miscarriage.
Do keep in mind that massage is contraindicated for certain conditions during pregnancy. If you have been deemed “high risk”, make sure you get a waiver from your care provider before seeking prenatal massage. Massage during the first trimester is also controversial because of the increased risk of miscarriage.
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