by Lisa Zinnia Zinman
Mommy Massage People have espoused the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy
since at least 3000 B.C. But the practice for pregnant women and their newborns
is a fairly new discovery for many women—and is rapidly catching on.
During pregnancy, a woman's skeletal structure increasingly supports more weight
and her organs shift to accommodate her growing baby. The journey can be
uncomfortable. Linda Guttman, a Massachusetts-based, nationally certified and
licensed massage therapist trained in pregnancy massage says that, "A massage
therapist can do very specific muscle manipulation throughout a woman's
pregnancy to alleviate discomfort in many areas of her body."
Pregnancy massage can bring relief to some of the most common complaints of
pregnancy including heartburn and indigestion, hemorrhoids, morning
sickness/nausea, sinus congestion, high blood pressure, and varicose veins.
Massage can also improve circulation and even make pre-term labor less anxiety
provoking.
What the studies say
Studies by researchers at the Touch Research Institute (University of Miami School of Medicine) have found that labor pain can be reduced by massage therapy. Massaged women reported a decrease in depressed mood, anxiety, and pain and showed a more positive attitude following the first massage during labor. In addition, the massaged mothers had significantly shorter labors, a shorter hospital stay and less postpartum depression.
Another study compared the benefits of pregnancy massage with relaxation therapy. Women in the massage therapy group had reduced anxiety, improved moods, better sleep and less back pain by the last day of the study. They had fewer complications during labor and their infants suffered fewer postnatal complications.
Betsy\s story
Betsy, a 41 year-old woman pregnant with her second child, receives weekly
massage therapy.
"Massage has allowed me to be active and healthy all the way up to these last
days before I'm due," she says. During this pregnancy, morning sickness is much
less problematic than last time. Massage helps her back pain and she sleeps
better the night after a massage. She hasn't had leg cramps or swelling in her
hands or feet.
"Without massage as a regular part of this pregnancy, I would have lost my mind
after the fourth month!" she says. She credits pregnancy massage with quieting
the voices of fear and anxiety, and relaxing her body and her spirit. "For me,
massage is a very important tool in surviving pregnancy."
When NOT to receive massage
Pregnancy massage is generally very safe and satisfying, but it isn't for
everyone at all stages of pregnancy. That's why it's important to use a
specially trained massage therapist who is competent to perform pregnancy
massage, and is aware of important limitations.
Claire Marie Miller, a nationally certified massage therapist, and Wanda
Sundermann, a nationally certified massage therapist and certified doula
(therapist trained for labor and delivery care), are instructors in the
Nurturing The Mother Certification Program—a pregnancy massage training course.
They say that massage to "ankle reflex points"—areas of the ankles that
correspond to the uterus and ovaries—should be avoided unless a woman wants to
bring about labor. Massage directly over varicose veins is not a good idea, but
treatments done to surrounding areas will improve circulation and relieve
tension in the varicose tissues.
Anyone with high blood pressure should first seek approval from her doctor.
Although massage can help lower blood pressure, a pregnant woman should be
massaged lying on her left side for the entire session. For women experiencing
pre-term labor, massage can help improve circulation and relax them, but massage
of the abdomen should be avoided. Pregnant women should not receive a massage if
they have a fever.
In general, some swelling is normal in pregnancy, and massage can help relieve
some of the discomfort. But fairly rapid and/or severe swelling of the hands and
face late in pregnancy can be a sign of potentially dangerous conditions and
requires immediate medical care. Massage is not the appropriate therapy in this
case.
Regular massage is optimal
Miller and Sundermann recommend pregnancy massage on the same schedule a woman sees her doctor. But if you were a regular massage junkie before you became pregnant, more frequent visits may be fine. If your budget, schedule, and doctor approve, once a week would be ideal. If you're unaccustomed to massage or are in the first trimester, seek the advice of your doctor and a specially trained massage therapist to learn when to start.
Therapists trained in pregnancy massage often use a body cushion. It allows the expectant mother to lay face down while having her belly supported. This technique allows her back to get the attention it craves and also helps her take more deep breaths.
Infants benefit, too!
Infant massage can be a healthy model for family massage. The whole family can participate, which helps create a bond between parents and child. Massage helps improve circulation and stimulates the development of the respiratory and nervous systems, which is especially important for premature babies. It helps infants become acclimated to a loving touch and helps them relax. A good time to do infant massage is after a bath.
The two books listed in the Resources section below include simple directions—along with photos—for doing infant massage.
Finding a pregnancy massage therapist
Begin with the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)—a governing body
for all massage therapists, including those trained in pregnancy massage. The
AMTA has a chapter in each state and can provide you with a list of certified
therapists in your state. Also, ask other medical professionals you know.
Chiropractors, obstetricians, and other medical professionals often have a
network that you can tap into.
Once you have a list of names, ask the following questions to help make the
experience a positive, healthy one:
- How long have you been practicing?
- How much massage experience do you have with pregnant women?
- Have you had any special training in pregnancy massage?
- Do you use a body cushion?
- How will you handle positioning me as I progress in my pregnancy?
If the therapist cannot answer these questions to your satisfaction, move on
until you find one that does.