Massage Therapy for Pregnant Women

Expecting a baby can be a very beautiful and exciting event in a woman’s life. Over the course of nine months of anticipation and planning, your body will continuously transform. While this is both normal and natural, some of the changes you will go through may be uncomfortable and even quite unpleasant. Frequent bouts of morning sickness; mood swings which make you feel a bit crazy at times; back pain, weight gain, tender breasts and ankles which feel as if they’ve quadrupled in size are just several of the “side effects” of pregnancy.

Unfortunately, since the tiny life growing inside you is highly vulnerable, many medications are not an option to help offset some of the pregnancy symptoms. But the good news is there are some all natural and healthy alternatives which can benefit you in many ways, both during your pregnancy as well as after you give birth. One alternative remedy which has many benefits is massage therapy.

Massage is wonderful because there are no side effects. It is non-invasive and is not only good for you, but good for your baby! So let’s look at a few of the benefits you may experience from massage if you are expecting.

1)    Relief from pain and other physical discomfort

Regular massages during your pregnancy can help reduce and at times alleviate some of the pain from muscle cramps and spasms. Also, it can provide relief for lower back pain, as well as pain in your legs and hips. As you get further along in your pregnancy and your weight increases, massage therapy can benefit you by decreasing the amount of stress on the joints in your lower body by keeping your more flexible. As a result you can handle the additional weight more readily. 

2)    Improved circulation

Massage helps improve the circulation of your blood. It also stimulates and enhances your lymphatic system. Better circulation will help alleviate some of the swelling that comes with pregnancy. Also, with improved blood flow, more nutrients and oxygen will reach both the baby and you, keeping you both healthier. 

3) Improved labor

Massage therapy can also reduce the amount of pain often experienced during labor. Not only that, because it benefits the body in so many ways, pregnant women who receive massage therapy while pregnant often have a better overall delivery with fewer complications.  Women who have massage therapy usually need less medication during labor, have shorter labors, and are much less likely to require a C-section.  

4)    Hormone stabilization and anxiety reduction

Since pregnancy wreaks havoc with your hormone levels, massage can help stabilize them because it stimulates the secretions of your glands. Also, it can help alleviate anxiety which many women experience. It keeps you keep more relaxed and calm because it aids in the release of endorphins. This in turn will also help you sleep better, which is really important when you are pregnant and need as much quality rest as possible. Thus, massage therapy can help you feel better overall. Postpartum depression may also be less likely. 

These are just some of the great benefits of massage therapy during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or considering becoming pregnant, massage therapy is definitely worth looking into!