In the year 2020, we were deprived of meeting even our near and dear ones. One thing that we all missed was the human touch. A touch by someone can do wonders and heal all pains. This is the main reason why massages are known to be therapeutic.
Massages are one of the best therapies for relaxation and no one would know this more than a mother who is not only physically but mentally stressed most of the time.
The day you know you are pregnant, you become a mom and from that day starts the overworking of mind and body. This is why prenatal and postnatal massages are important for a new mom.
Most gynecologists stress about diet and nutrition and also exercise and supplements, but there are a few who talk about the comfort and relaxation that a prenatal and postnatal massage can give you.
It is a known fact, that both prenatal and postnatal massages have immense benefits for a woman and this is often stressed upon by experienced ladies of the house. Pregnancy takes a toll on the body, and relaxation from the massages gives relief from aches and pains to the mom.
Let us discuss both prenatal and postnatal massage in detail:
Table of Contents
Prenatal Massage
What is a prenatal massage?
For the unversed, let us start with a simple question, what is a prenatal massage?
Prenatal massage is a massage that is quite similar to a regular massage you get at a spa but this is done keeping in mind the needs of a pregnant woman. Like any other massage, a prenatal massage releases stress, relaxes muscles and improves circulation in the body, and makes the mother and baby feel good.
A prenatal massage is done on a bed which is specially made for pregnant women and there is no pressure on the stomach. Most of the time, the massage is given with the pregnant lady lying on her side to avoid any pressure on the abdomen area.
As the therapist is trained in pregnancy massage, she or he will know the exact spots which are stressed and will use a blend of oils most suitable to the pregnant woman.
I got permission to get a massage in my second trimester and this was undoubtedly one of the best parts of my pregnancy. My massages gave relief from the back pain and the other strain on the body and I remember sleeping peacefully for an hour during the massage and waking up all rejuvenated.
Problems in Pregnancy
For a prenatal massage, the therapist should be trained to massage a pregnant woman, and most importantly should have an understanding of the problems and their causes. Some of the main problems faced are:
Backache
The growing baby affects the posture, and because of this, the would-be mom tends to lean. This along with other reasons cause back pain and this is one of the biggest problems of pregnancy.
Pregnancy pillows help in relieving back pain but a massage is always more relaxing.
There are many reasons for back pain in pregnancy. To read them and ways to get relief, read the post, Know the Reasons and How to Get Pregnancy Back Pain Relief.
Anemia
The volume of blood in the body of a pregnant woman, increases during pregnancy. As a result, the number of red blood cells produced by the body reduces which cause the blood to get diluted. This causes anemia which causes exhaustion and tiredness.
Edema
Many pregnant women get swelling especially in the latter part of the pregnancy. This is because of increased fluids in the body and this condition is called edema. The swelling on the hands and feet make it uncomfortable for women.
Constipation and Urination
These two are the most common problems faced by a pregnant woman. As the baby grows, the uterus expands causing more pressure on the bladder and this results in frequent urination.
The organs of the body also move to give space to the growing uterus and this causes constipation.
I had both problems. The constipation led to hemorrhoids were very painful. Taking care of diet and sometimes stool softeners help in these issues.
Nausea
Another very common pregnancy problem is nausea. I was fortunate but not to have it but morning sickness and nausea from smells, are a common pregnancy problem.
Cramps
Leg pain also sets in the later part of the pregnancy, as the fetus grows and puts pressure on the legs. The legs carry the entire body weight and the blood vessels also get pressed at points by the baby. This causes cramps and pain in the leg.
If you want to know about other pregnancy problems and solutions, the post 21 Common Pregnancy Problems and Their Solution by Dr Kaur is helpful.
To a third person, the problems faced during pregnancy might seem trivial. Only a woman who has gone through it can understand it.
In my second trimester, I had a pain in my ankle and it was really painful. I was limping to walk. As I was pregnant, an X-ray was not recommended, and neither could I have strong painkillers. I tried all sorts of ankle supports and footwear, but nothing worked.
The doctors told me that there was one nerve that was being pressed and caused the pain. As the baby grows, it will change the position and the nerve will be ok. They were right as in a few weeks, one fine day, the pain disappeared.
I am giving this example to explain, that there is no explanation for any pain when you are pregnant and there are not many options to get relief. For any discomfort, you should definitely consult your gynecologist to rule out chances of any complications.
For both my back pain in the third trimester and the ankle pain in the second one, the prenatal massages gave immense relief. The pain did not go but yes; it did become bearable.
Besides, giving relief from aches and pains, there are other benefits of a prenatal massage. Let us talk about them in our next section.
Benefits of a Prenatal Massage
Now you know what is a prenatal massage. Let us now know all the benefits it has for a pregnant woman:
Reduces Edema
As explained earlier, Edema causes swelling in the feet and hands. The best way to cure this is a prenatal massage. Medications should always be avoided and a massage by a trained masseur works wonders.
Regulates the Hormones
Hormone levels change during pregnancy and the best way to regulate them and help a pregnant mom relax is through a comforting prenatal massage.
Increases Blood Flow
A prenatal massage helps in the proper functioning of the lymphatic and circulatory and this ensures proper blood flow to the mom and the baby.
Reduces Stress Levels and Improves Mood
Stress levels and pains and aches and of course, the hormonal imbalance stress a woman and also spoils her mood. Many pregnant ladies also find it hard to sleep at night as they are uncomfortable and uneasy. A good prenatal massage relaxes the body and helps in improving the quality of sleep.
Reduces Headaches and Muscle Tension
Muscles stretch during pregnancy and stress and changes in hormonal levels cause headaches. A therapist trained in prenatal massage knows the exact issues and the points to relieve the pain. Thus, a prenatal massage reduces the tension in the muscle and also relaxes the body, thereby, giving relief from the headaches.
Relieves Back Pain and Other Aches
A prenatal massage is the best therapy for the most common pain of pregnancy i.e. the back pain. Also, as the massage reduces inflammation of nerves and releases the tension of muscles, it helps in getting relief from other pains.
Though there are many advantages of a prenatal massage, there are some things that are important and should be taken care of by all pregnant ladies.
Exercising during pregnancy is very beneficial. You should read the post Know Everything About Exercises During Pregnancy and 12 Exercises to Avoid During Pregnancy.
Things to Keep in Mind
Some of the things that should be kept in mind before and while getting a prenatal massage are:
- You should only go to a trained prenatal massage therapist
- Any discomfort at any time should be told to the therapist
- Lie down in the posture most comfortable and relaxing to you
- If you have any allergies to oils, you must inform the therapist
- Any particular pain or problem must be told to the therapist before the massage
A prenatal massage is a great way to relax for a pregnant woman. You must try and get one every alternate week until about the 7th month and then try and get one weekly to get the best results. Though there are no statistics to prove it but it is said, “Women who get regular prenatal massage deliver healthier newborns.”
So, if, you are pregnant, indulge yourself in a relaxing prenatal massage. It is the much-needed therapy for your body, mind and spirit.
Postnatal Massage
Pregnancy is tough for the body and delivery is another level. Both strain the body and the muscles and the lack of sleep and feeding schedule of the baby, makes it very stressful for the new mom.
For new parents, sleep is a big issue. To know tips to overcome this, you should read, Survival Guide for Parents’ Sleep Deprivation.
A postnatal massage works wonders and is highly recommended to all new moms.
What is a postnatal massage?
A massage therapy given to a new mom after giving birth to a baby is called a prenatal massage. This post-pregnancy massage has many benefits and the most important one, it de-stresses a new mom because no one but she knows how tough and overwhelming it is for her.
Mothers find it tough to get a massage as they have too much to do. My sincere advice is to try and find time as this will help you and also the baby. I used to get a massage done after massaging, bathing and feeding a baby. Most of the time she would sleep peacefully and I was able to get the massage without much disturbance.
It helps to have someone around when you are getting a massage so that they can handle the baby if needed. Avoid going for a massage and call someone home as this not only helps you to be around the baby but also ensures you get one.
A post pregnancy massage at home is not only more convenient and time saving, but easier for the mom who has a lot on her plate.
When can you start a postnatal massage?
I started my massage after a week when the bandage came off. The abdomen was not touched till 6-7 weeks till the cut had healed. I would get my hands, legs and back massaged daily and this really helped.
Once the doctor says the cut has healed and you are comfortable, you can get the area around the scar massaged. No pressure on abdomen is advised during postnatal massage after cesarean for about 6-8 weeks,
One thing that must be kept in mind is that the lady whom you call for your massage is well trained and knows about post-natal massages. She will manage the pressure and will also know the right way to manage a scar.
For my prenatal massage I went to a therapist at my hospital but my postnatal massage at home was equally relaxing. The difference between the two was also about the convenience and also the frequency.
I got a prenatal massage once a week or fortnight but the postnatal massage after a C-section was done daily for 3 months.
Precautions
- Do not exert yourself as the pregnancy takes a toll on your body.
- Be vocal about your needs and comfort. Ensure the lady uses the pressure you are comfortable with. With a postnatal massage after a C-section, special care has to be taken about pressure on abdomen and the incision area.
- Ensure the lady you hire is experienced. Talking to experienced mothers helps a lot and thus, try and take a reference to find a good therapist for a comforting postnatal massage at home after delivery.
- Avoid changing the masseuse. It is important to be with someone who understands your requirement and body and will help you relax.
- Avoid the massage if you have any allergy or skin problem.
- Ask your doctor before you start a massage
Benefits of a Postnatal Massage
There are many benefits of a post-natal massage. It is recommended for all new moms to get a massage regularly after the delivery as this helps in regaining the strength.
- A proper massage relaxes the muscles and give relief from the aches and pains.
- The blood circulation improves and this speeds up the recovery.
- For many mothers who are struggling with anxiety and depression, a massage can give a lot of calmness. Post-natal depression is tough to manage, but a relaxing massage works wonders.
- A postnatal massage after a C-section or a vaginal delivery helps you get rid of the toxins by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the muscles
- As the body releases endorphins, you feel relaxed
- Helps in breastfeeding by loosening hardened areas and opening blocked ducts and reduces the chance to get infections like mastitis.
- A postnatal massage after cesarean speeds up the process of recovery
If you had a C-section, you should read 10 Tips for C-section Recovery to help you.
I remember my massage would not only help me feel better overall but also that one hour of sleep would rejuvenate me. Nights are tough with a baby and the feeds and diaper changes add to the stress of an already stressed body.
Little Miss A was a preemie and needed extra care. She had to be fed at every two hours, and each feed would take time as I could not breastfeed her exclusively. As a result, the lack of sleep was too much to handle.
To understand my struggle with breastfeeding, you should read the post, The Pressure to Breastfeed.
Calm Yourself with Prenatal and Postnatal Massages
Both prenatal and postnatal massage have a lot of benefits for a mom. The two pain points to be kept in mind at both times is that the doctor should approve of it and the therapist is a trained one. Both for a prenatal and postnatal massage some precautions have to be taken and thus, it is important to get it done from someone who understands it.
For a pregnant woman, a prenatal massage can work wonders with the aches and pains and for a new mom, it is the best way to relax and get relief from the baby blues.
Did you get any of a prenatal or a postnatal massage? Share your experiences with us.
