The Benefits of Prenatal Massage

I am continually inspired by the beauty and power of the female body and its ability to nurture and create life. As a prenatal massage therapist, I have found that every pregnant woman experiences her own unique, nine month journey with pregnancy, complete with moments of pure bliss and difficult adjustments. One thing, however, that every expecting mother shares is a vast array of intense and awe-inspiring physiological changes as her body creates life and prepares for birth. While these changes certainly present a challenge to even the healthiest body, prenatal and perinatal massage is a proven and effective way to mitigate some of the more unpleasant effects of these important physiological processes.

Circulatory Benefits:

During pregnancy, the body makes many circulatory adaptations to provide for the needs of the growing fetus. Total blood volume increases, as does the interstitual fluid volume (the fluid in the tissues of the body). Pregnant women experience this fluid volume increase as edema, or swelling, usually in the ankles and legs. In addition, the increasing weight of the uterus can compress the major veins in the legs, limiting circulation of the blood back up to the heart. This contributes to edema in the later second and third trimester, and can also cause the development of varicose veins.

Swedish massage promotes circulation of blood and lymph and can help lessen the effects of these circulatory changes. Swedish massage techniques such as effleurage, petrissage and kneading act to manually pump the lymph capillaries, allowing them to repeatedly empty and refill. In addition, massage opens the capillary beds, allowing for increased blood circulation, increasing the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the tissues. This means healthier tissue in both mother and baby. Because these techniques work to circulate the lymph and blood, they are helpful to mitigate the effects of increased blood and lymph in the pregnant body.

The Benefits of Stress Reduction:

Stress is an inevitable part of our busy lives, but can unfortunately reek havoc on the health of our bodies. During pregnancy, a woman is still subject to the same stressers of her pre-pregnancy life, yet now carries the additional responsibilities of pregnancy. Stress activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, the part of our nervous system that makes us alert, focused and prepared for action. This state of nervous system arousal is often refered to as the 'fight or flight' mode. While this survival instinct is important for potentially life threatening situations that require instant action, prolonged sympathetic arousal can have negative effects on the body. The effects of prolonged sympathetic arousal on the pregnant body include:

~ increased maternal heart rate, blood pressure, vomiting, naseau,

~ Reduced blood supply to uterus, a lower fetal heart rate and reduced blood oxygenation

~ higher incidence of miscarriage, prematurity and prolonged labors

~ interference with fetal brain and central nervous system development

Because massage therapy promotes relaxation, it triggers the body's parasympethetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. This is the state of the body during periods of rest and relaxation. Being in the parasympathetic state results in a more balanced and steady blood pressure and respiratory rate, better blood flow to the uterus, more emotional balance and a healthier immune system. Bringing the body into periods of deep relaxation can help counter the negative effects of stress.

Reduces Pain from structural changes during pregnancy:

In order to support the weight of the growing fetus and to prepare for the challenges of delivery, a women's body undergoes considerable postural changes that can challenge the structural integrity of her body. The added weight to the front of the body puts the pelvis into a forward tilt; the belly spills forward and the curvature of the lower back increases. This posture strains the joints of the low back, especcially the sacroilliac joint. Sacroilliac joint strain is a major cause of the lowback pain that many pregnant women experience. A pregnant woman might also experience tightness and discomfort in her upper back due to the postural adjustments.

Massage therapy can help alleviate some of this discomfort. Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, and myofascial release all help to relax the contracted musculature that is working hard to keep the pregnant woman moving throughout her day. Because of the drastic change in posture, many pregnant women also develop taut bands of muscle fiber called trigger points, that are extremely tender and often refer pain to other areas of the body. Trigger point therapy and myofascial release both help to reduce the pain associated with trigger points.

 In addition to the physiological benefits described above, bodywok also allows women to gain more kinestetic awareness of their bodies; they begin to develop a deeper understanding of how their physical form manifests and adapts to stress and tension. This awareness becomes extremely beneficial during the physical demands of labor. Ultimately, adding the nurturing touch of therapeutic massage to your prenatal healthcare routine can help create a more joyful and peaceful pregnancy.