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During pregnancy, the expectant mother experiences:

* Heart increases blood volume up to 50%.

* Blood flow in the kidney increases by 35%

* Lungs increase oxygen consumption by over 10%

* Increased urination

* Breakouts, rashes and skin discoloration

* Weight gain, stressing the bones and joints

* The digestive system becomes displaced

* The diaphragm, stomach and intestines are pushed upward by the uterus

Massage during pregnancy is a therapeutic practice that can relieve most of these common pains, reduce the occurrence and even prevent them from happening. In addition, massage therapy can relieve mental fatigue, enhance muscle and joint functions and improve circulation as well as general body tone.

Massage therapy and Pregnancy

Today, massage therapy for pregnant women, more commonly known as “prenatal massage”, is a fast developing field in the United States. It has attracted professionals such as delivery nurses, obstetricians, midwives and childbirth educators.

The popularity of this field is the result of women leaning towards wellness during pregnancy. Since most women today postpone childbirth until becoming stable with their relationships and career, they find alternative approaches that can alleviate the pain from traditional pregnancy.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

The stressful and uncomfortable experiences during pregnancy can be reduced by massage therapy. It can particularly help in:

* Alleviating muscle cramping, stiffness, tightness and tension

* Relieving headaches, backaches, sore feet, edema, stiff necks and sciatica

* Increasing nutrients and oxygen to the mother and fetus’ cells

* Stabilizing hormone levels

* Increasing muscle flexibility

* Relaxing and having better sleep

* Increasing circulation

* Reducing stress on the heart

* Eliminating waste products through the circulatory and lymphatic system

* Decreasing insomnia

* Relieves neck and back pains caused by muscle weakness and imbalance

* Assisting proper posture

* Reducing hands and feet swelling

* Lessening sciatic pain

* Relieving sinus congestion

* An easier childbirth

* Increasing milk production

* Speeds up healing during postpartum recovery or after cesarean birth

* Realigning pelvis after birth

* Relieving stiffness and soreness after childbirth

In addition to these physical benefits of massage therapy for pregnancy, it just feels good for the expectant mother to receive a soothing human touch. Plus, a study conducted by Miami’s School of Medicine showed that massage therapy could reduce stress hormones in the body.

According to this study, human touch is important to a mother’s emotional and physical well being since she is adapting to a new body image. Regardless of personal conditions, the body of a mother-to-be is challenged, stressed and changed in many ways. Prenatal massage gives special attention to the pregnant woman, which also nurtures the baby that is developing within her.

Her husband, friend or relative can give massage to the pregnant mother. However, to maximize the benefits of prenatal massage, it is recommended to seek the services of experienced massage therapists, who are certified in postpartum, labor and pregnancy massage.

Is Prenatal Massage Therapy For You?

For most mothers, massage and pregnancy is a perfect match. However, a professional massage therapist will consult the mother-to-be about personal complications or problems with the pregnancy before the massage begins.

Generally, massage therapists will not go through the prenatal massage for women with circumstances such as fever, diabetes, heavy water or blood discharge, unusual pain, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, morning sickness, pre-eclampsia, diarrhea, vomiting, any malignant condition and other contagious illness.

Moreover, any body part of the pregnant woman with skin rashes, open bruises and sores, any kind of inflammation; local infection sites and distended or raised varicose veins should not be massaged.

Pregnancy massage is performed in different ways. The pregnant woman may lie on her side or lie on her belly. With the modern pillows specifically designed for expectant moms, it is now possible to lie flat on their stomachs regardless of how far along they are.

Prenatal massage can be performed anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the discomfort you are experiencing. It is recommended that a pregnant woman, during her second trimester, should go to her massage therapist at least once a week for treatment.

Introducing a new life into the world is a wonderful, miraculous and challenging experience. Practice prenatal massage to make your pregnancy a comfortable experience.

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