Carrying a baby for nine months can be difficult and, at times, painful. Fortunately, there are plenty of techniques available for easing that pain. One such method is prenatal massage. Prenatal massage can improve a woman's physical, mental and emotional health, all the while promoting the health of the baby. In the past, mothers worried about the potential risks of prenatal massage, but these worries have been eased by scientific research. Recent studies have proven that pregnancy massage is perfectly safe for most women. The benefits of prenatal massage are many and varied, but they all ensure greater health and wellbeing on the part of both mother and child.
Stress Reduction
Anything that improves your mental health quality will make it ten times easier to get through your pregnancy. Massage therapy has long been considered one of the most effective stress reduction techniques. This is especially true for pregnancy massages. In one study, researchers found that expectant mothers receiving massages twice a week for five weeks had reduced levels of stress hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol. Meanwhile, their levels of dopamine and serotonin increased. Dopamine and serotonin are both essential to the prevention of depression. Like other massage therapists, a therapist trained in pregnancy massage can put the expectant mother into a state of relaxation with the help of low lights, soft music and a comfortable massage table. Massage therapy can also be quite helpful after the baby is born. Post-partum massage eases the stress of carrying a baby and giving birth. Some researchers believe that post-partum massage can help reduce the risk of post-partum depression.
Improved Blood Circulation
Prenatal massage stimulates blood flow, thus improving blood circulation for both the mother and the baby. This is important, because without good blood circulation, your baby will not get the oxygen and other nutrients that he or she needs. Good massage therapy classes can increase the amount of oxygen in the blood by as much as 10 percent. In addition to improving oxygen levels, good blood flow also allows your bloodstream to remove harmful toxins from the body. Not only is the content of the blood important, so is its ability to get where it needs to go. As pregnancy continues, the uterus grows larger and a greater toll is exerted on the circulation system. Prenatal massages support the return of blood to the heart, uterus and placenta.
Alignment and Posture
The changes to the body brought about by pregnancy can wreak havoc on a woman's posture and body alignment. Regular massages can help women to prevent major changes in posture by maintaining muscle tone and flexibility. When a woman's strength and flexibility are maintained at a high level throughout her pregnancy, she will have an easier time carrying the extra weight without straining her back. This in turn will keep the mother mobile through the last month of her pregnancy, thus making it easier to prepare for having a baby.
Whether you are looking to reduce stress, prevent depression, improve blood circulation or maintain good posture, you can ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery by attending massage therapy classes. Receiving a prenatal massage is also a great way to pamper yourself as you go through the struggles of life as an expectant mother.