Checkout this list of seven important benefits of pregnancy massage.
You'll probably realise that only 1 or 2 of them are actually exclusive to pregnancy!
No. 1: Pregnancy Massage enhances the health of you and your baby
Massage has been shown to assist the body in many ways. These include relieving muscle aches; balancing hormone levels, particularly by lowering stress hormones; improving circulation, brings more nutrients and oxygen to your cells, which means it’s also bringing them to your baby, nourishing both of you.
No. 2: Pregnancy massage eases pregnancy discomforts
Massage can soothe back and shoulder pain, pains in the lower back and hips, including sciatica, and comfort sore aching legs and feet. It can also maintain your flexibility and mobility.
No. 3: Pregnancy massage can reduce swelling
By improving circulation, massage can also ease oedema, that achey swelling that comes with fluid retention.
No. 4: Pregnancy massage can decrease stress levels
Pregnancy comes with disrupted sleep, hormonal fluctuations, and thoughts about changes in your life, which can all be very stressful. Stress is normal and, at times, healthy and necessary, but should also be balanced with relaxation. When we relax, our stress levels of the stress hormone cortisol drop, and the body has time to undertake necessary functions such as digestion, kidney function and growth. Regular massage can provide an opportunity to achieve this state of relaxation. Remember, if you’re relaxed, so is your baby!
No. 5: Pregnancy massage improves sleep quality and reduces depression
As you become more comfortable, you will also become more relaxed. Both of these factors will help you to sleep better, and studies have shown that massage also helps alleviate the symptoms of depression in pregnant and post-natal women.
No. 6: Pregnancy massage will improve your energy levels
By reducing discomfort, improving sleep quality and increasing relaxation, massage reduces your feelings of fatigue and gives you more energy to focus on yourself and the young life growing inside of you
No. 7: Prepares you for labour and birth
Approaching the day you give birth, having maintained your flexibility, mobility and lower stress levels with massage, you’ll not only have better energy levels throughout your labour, but you will have also be more aware of where you hold tension. This means that you’ll be better equipped to release this tension during labour.
A recent study also showed that receiving massage from 36 weeks onward will help raise your levels oxytocin, the “mothering hormone”, which your body releases during labour and breast feeding (the mothering hormone). It’s said that higher levels of oxytocin will also speed up labour and reduce complications both before and after birth.
And finally, if bubby is pointing the wrong way, your midwife might recommend getting on your hands and knees and scrubbing the floor, as this position helps your baby to turn the right way round. Using the body support cushion that allows you to lie on your front, means that you will be in this optimal position, without having to scrub the floors; much nicer!
To book in for a pregnancy massage, using this body support, give Amanda a call on 06 8336162.
If you would like to buy a gift voucher for someone you know who would love a massage,
you can do so online, by going to www.napiermassage.co.nz/pricing.
You'll probably realise that only 1 or 2 of them are actually exclusive to pregnancy!
No. 1: Pregnancy Massage enhances the health of you and your baby
Massage has been shown to assist the body in many ways. These include relieving muscle aches; balancing hormone levels, particularly by lowering stress hormones; improving circulation, brings more nutrients and oxygen to your cells, which means it’s also bringing them to your baby, nourishing both of you.
No. 2: Pregnancy massage eases pregnancy discomforts
Massage can soothe back and shoulder pain, pains in the lower back and hips, including sciatica, and comfort sore aching legs and feet. It can also maintain your flexibility and mobility.
No. 3: Pregnancy massage can reduce swelling
By improving circulation, massage can also ease oedema, that achey swelling that comes with fluid retention.
No. 4: Pregnancy massage can decrease stress levels
Pregnancy comes with disrupted sleep, hormonal fluctuations, and thoughts about changes in your life, which can all be very stressful. Stress is normal and, at times, healthy and necessary, but should also be balanced with relaxation. When we relax, our stress levels of the stress hormone cortisol drop, and the body has time to undertake necessary functions such as digestion, kidney function and growth. Regular massage can provide an opportunity to achieve this state of relaxation. Remember, if you’re relaxed, so is your baby!
No. 5: Pregnancy massage improves sleep quality and reduces depression
As you become more comfortable, you will also become more relaxed. Both of these factors will help you to sleep better, and studies have shown that massage also helps alleviate the symptoms of depression in pregnant and post-natal women.
No. 6: Pregnancy massage will improve your energy levels
By reducing discomfort, improving sleep quality and increasing relaxation, massage reduces your feelings of fatigue and gives you more energy to focus on yourself and the young life growing inside of you
No. 7: Prepares you for labour and birth
Approaching the day you give birth, having maintained your flexibility, mobility and lower stress levels with massage, you’ll not only have better energy levels throughout your labour, but you will have also be more aware of where you hold tension. This means that you’ll be better equipped to release this tension during labour.
A recent study also showed that receiving massage from 36 weeks onward will help raise your levels oxytocin, the “mothering hormone”, which your body releases during labour and breast feeding (the mothering hormone). It’s said that higher levels of oxytocin will also speed up labour and reduce complications both before and after birth.
And finally, if bubby is pointing the wrong way, your midwife might recommend getting on your hands and knees and scrubbing the floor, as this position helps your baby to turn the right way round. Using the body support cushion that allows you to lie on your front, means that you will be in this optimal position, without having to scrub the floors; much nicer!
To book in for a pregnancy massage, using this body support, give Amanda a call on 06 8336162.
If you would like to buy a gift voucher for someone you know who would love a massage,
you can do so online, by going to www.napiermassage.co.nz/pricing.
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