| We have all heard about the prenatal massage. | | | | women who delivered natural can receive a |
| The use of relaxing strokes and massage | | | | postnatal massage when they feel well enough. |
| techniques on the mother-to-be's body. The | | | | Women who delivered by cesarean delivery |
| massage is beneficial for the mother and in turn | | | | should wait at least two weeks after delivery. |
| also beneficial for the baby. It seems like a | | | | Massages are usually given within twelve weeks |
| win-win situation. | | | | of delivery. Consultation should be made with the |
| After the baby is born, though, does the mother | | | | physician as well as the obstetrician. |
| go back to her relaxed "before pregnant" | | | | What are the Benefits? |
| persona? The new mother is probably more | | | | There are a plethora of benefits when it comes |
| stressed now with a newborn to care for, than | | | | to postnatal massages including stress relief. The |
| she ever was as a single lady or as a new | | | | new mother's body is so tired and overworked |
| housewife for that matter. | | | | from the laboring experience and simply put, she |
| So what does this new mom need to relax? A | | | | just needs to relax. |
| massage helped during pregnancy, can it help | | | | The massage relieves tensions and aches in the |
| after the baby has been delivered? | | | | lower back, neck, shoulders, hands, and wrists. It |
| What is Postnatal Massage? | | | | can help with headaches and aids in the |
| Postnatal Massage is a natural therapy to help | | | | re-organizing pelvis structure. Posture irregularities |
| relax a new mother. The postnatal massage is | | | | which may have resulted from the pregnancy can |
| similar and yet very different from the prenatal | | | | also be re-aligned. |
| massage. While both massages look to relax the | | | | While the massage experience may assist the |
| mother, the postnatal massage looks to help get | | | | mother physically it also looks to help the mother |
| your body back into pre-pregnancy state. | | | | emotionally and mentally. The soothing massage |
| While you may think your body went through | | | | brings the mother into a serene state which helps |
| dramatic changes during pregnancy, your body will | | | | to calm her mind and worries. |
| face even more drastic changes after the baby. | | | | Some other important benefits include: |
| Some of the physical changes you may be having | | | | * Encourage circulation of blood |
| include: | | | | * Brings uterus back to pre-pregnancy state |
| * Uterine cramping and bleeding | | | | * Toning muscles |
| * Sore pelvis | | | | * Aids in weight loss |
| * Episiotomy soreness | | | | What are the Risks? |
| * Weak abdominal muscles | | | | With so many benefits, how can there be any |
| * Enlarged/gorging breasts | | | | risks? Blood clotting is a huge risk for post partum |
| * Back aches | | | | women and is especially high after cesarean |
| During this time the mother's body is trying to go | | | | deliveries. Massage therapists have to be careful |
| from pregnant to not pregnant. It took the body | | | | not to knead too deep on the leg and pelvis area. |
| nine months to reorganize and in a matter of | | | | One must stay away from the great saphenous |
| weeks the body looks to get back to the | | | | vein, which is located on the medial leg. |
| pre-pregnancy stage. | | | | Regarding women who have delivered through |
| Different methods may be utilized such as | | | | cesarean, the massage therapist should avoid |
| Swedish massage and lymphatic massage. | | | | massaging the legs and pelvic area because these |
| Beforehand the client can speak to the massage | | | | ladies are more prone to get blood clots. If the |
| therapist about specific physical ailments they | | | | woman was a high risk pregnancy or delivered |
| may be having which the massage therapist can | | | | with complications, it may be best to have the |
| focus on. The massage helps to bring back your | | | | client consult with her physician and have them |
| pre-pregnancy state by preserving muscles and | | | | send over a note stating she can undergo the |
| connective tissue. | | | | postnatal massage. |
| Some spas even allow for the mother to bring in | | | | As with any spa treatment, there are risks and |
| the newborn during the massage. This gives the | | | | there are benefits. When making your postnatal |
| mother two options for the baby during the | | | | massage appointment remember to consult with |
| massage. One option is to breastfeed and cradle | | | | your physician to ensure you are a good |
| the baby while the massage is taking place, | | | | candidate for this relaxing procedure. Also keep in |
| allowing for a bonding experience. The other | | | | mind you will want to call the spa beforehand to |
| option is to have the baby receive a massage as | | | | get all the detailed information regarding things |
| well. The client would have to call beforehand to | | | | such as if you can bring your baby or types of |
| see which spa offers these options. | | | | massage techniques they utilize. |
| Who are the Best Candidates? | | | | The information in the article is not intended to |
| The best candidates for postnatal massage would | | | | substitute for the medical expertise and advice of |
| be women who have just delivered babies. There | | | | your health care provider. We encourage you to |
| are two types of delivery methods, which are | | | | discuss any decisions about treatment or care |
| natural and cesarean. Rule of thumb is that | | | | with an appropriate health care provider. |