Nurture Yourself and the Growing Life Within You.

So you’re pregnant. Congratulations. Now stop, close your eyes and take a deep breath. How do you feel? Are your shoulders tense? Are you feeling nauseas? Does your lower back ache? Can you feel your baby moving? Are you worried about the arrival of your new baby? Whilst you may experience many changes both physically and emotionally, pregnancy is not an “illness” or a “condition”. This 9 month period in your life is a fantastic time in which to learn more about your body and general state of health and the beginnings of your bond with your child.

The Aim of pre-natal massage is to help you optimise your state of well-being through all the changes that will occur. The emotional and physical experiences of pregnancy are different for everyone and may vary every week and will definitely change through the three trimesters.

The first trimester is a time of huge hormonal changes. You may have many emotional worries and concerns, immune system changes, not to mention morning sickness. In this initial stage many women with a history of unstable pregnancies or conception difficulties worry about miscarrying, therefore it is important to stay relaxed and calm and massage is a great way to achieve this.

Physical and structural imbalances emerge in the second trimester as your muscles and joints adapt to the growth of your baby. Whilst your energy levels may stabilise and your may feel less tired, issues such as fluid retention, sinus congestion may arise. Massage presents us with a great opportunity not only to attend to these musculo-skeletal and physiological elements, but as your baby’s movements begin and become more noticeable, massage is invaluable in allowing you to connect with your baby and its changing positions. It is also an opportune time to introduce pregnancy specific exercises, some of which may help promote a more desirable position for the baby.

The third trimester may bring a marked increase in any imbalances that began in the second. As the impending birth gets closer fears and anxieties can (re)surface, and these emotions as well as muscular aches might be heightened by meeting the needs of your other children or by the fact that you are still working. Massage to relieve muscular discomfort related to the growing baby and relaxation to alleviate any emotional worries and concerns is important. This is also great to involve your birth partner into some sessions to pass on some tips for positions and massage techniques that may be useful during labour.

As every woman’s experiences are different, so comfort factors vary and a good therapist is able to adapt to the needs of their client. Massage can be done on a massage table or on a shiatsu mat on the floor, usually with many pillows for support. Whilst the cushions with the hole in the middle allow you to lie on your tummy, which you may not have done in a while, they are not necessarily ideal. Certainly, for short periods of time they can allow great access to the back of the body. If, however, you have any pelvic instability it would be wise to find another position, one that does not strain ligaments or compress the lower back and sacrum. A good therapist should be able to offer a range of massage techniques and physical positions based on individual needs and it is important that you make your needs and wants known.

Massage is not only useful during pregnancy but can play a role in helping conceive, especially in conjunction with modalities such as Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. If conception has not been easy the mental and emotional strain may be adding to the problem. Relaxation is the key as it reduces stress.

Just as pre-natal massage is designed specifically for pregnancy there are certain considerations to take into account after the birth. Was labour induced? Did you have a caesarean? Are you breastfeeding? Massage, plus techniques such as the mother warming moxabustion treatment help tonify the abdomen and uterus, aid recovery and increase energy levels.

Generally your overall health before becoming pregnant will shape your experiences of pregnancy, and influence the techniques that are used. However, whether or not you experience any morning sickness, aches and pains or worries and concerns, or your pregnancy is free from these it is important to take time out and observe the journey from a position of optimum health. Massage puts you in touch with your baby and all the changes that occur during and after your pregnancy.

Kythie Mitchell works at Mornington Complementary Medicine.  With over 10 years experience in Natural Medicine and Massage.  Kythie has completed a specialist course in Pregnancy massage, and holds a remedial massage diploma.