While You Are Pregnant
Right from the moment of conception, your body surges into action to make the changes necessary to nurture the new life within you. Pregnancy massage is a natural way to support your emotional and physical well-being throughout all trimesters, complimenting the medical care that you will receive from your chosen health practitioners.
First Trimester
During the first trimester you experience huge hormonal changes. It is a time of physical and emotional adaption. You may be wondering whether it is advisable to have a massage during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. There are many benefits to exploring this type of treatment to support the multitude of changes that you are undergoing, particularly in relation to reducing stress levels. There is no research to show that bodywork is harmful and the approach to your treatment will be determined by a full health consultation and discussion about your needs at this important time.
You may find massage during the first trimester to be beneficial to:
Second Trimester
The second trimester is generally, although not always, an easier time. Your energy is usually more stable and you may feel less tired. At this time you may enjoy a slightly deeper massage that can focus on the areas that are taking increasing amounts of strain.
Having bodywork during the second trimester may help to:
Third Trimester
The third trimester is often the most physically demanding phase of pregnancy. Your baby’s weight is increasing and you may find that your posture is less balanced and that your energy levels vary. You may be focusing increasingly on the birth and motherhood.
Bodywork during this trimester may be beneficial to:
You & Baby
Whilst medically the post-natal (also referred to as postpartum) period is defined as the six weeks following the delivery of the placenta, in reality the rate of recovery varies considerably from mother to mother. The changes to your musculo-skeletal system are the slowest to recover and caring for yourself now can help to prevent long term patterns of weakness.
There is commonly a feeling that you must achieve the best of everything – balancing family, social pressures, home and work – allowing little time to rest and look after yourself. I will support you post-natally from the birth of your baby to the end of the first year.
Having treatment with me during your postnatal period may bring you the following benefits:
Right from the moment of conception, your body surges into action to make the changes necessary to nurture the new life within you. Pregnancy massage is a natural way to support your emotional and physical well-being throughout all trimesters, complimenting the medical care that you will receive from your chosen health practitioners.
First Trimester
During the first trimester you experience huge hormonal changes. It is a time of physical and emotional adaption. You may be wondering whether it is advisable to have a massage during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. There are many benefits to exploring this type of treatment to support the multitude of changes that you are undergoing, particularly in relation to reducing stress levels. There is no research to show that bodywork is harmful and the approach to your treatment will be determined by a full health consultation and discussion about your needs at this important time.
You may find massage during the first trimester to be beneficial to:
- allow total relaxation and reduce stress levels, which is good for both you and your baby
- promote overall well-being
- alleviate early pregnancy symptoms
- encourage bonding at a time when it can be hard to connect with the idea of being pregnant
- encourage good breathing, which will help you throughout your pregnancy
- offer you the space to talk about your feelings surrounding your pregnancy at a time when you may not have told others about it
Second Trimester
The second trimester is generally, although not always, an easier time. Your energy is usually more stable and you may feel less tired. At this time you may enjoy a slightly deeper massage that can focus on the areas that are taking increasing amounts of strain.
Having bodywork during the second trimester may help to:
- encourage good postural awareness, which can ease the transition into the third trimester
- support you to bond with your baby
- look after your changing body to prepare it for the increased physical demands ahead
- help you adapt to the proprioceptive changes occurring in your body
Third Trimester
The third trimester is often the most physically demanding phase of pregnancy. Your baby’s weight is increasing and you may find that your posture is less balanced and that your energy levels vary. You may be focusing increasingly on the birth and motherhood.
Bodywork during this trimester may be beneficial to:
- treat the postural imbalances that are typical of this trimester
- ease physical discomforts, commonly in the hips and shoulders
- encourage optimal foetal positioning
- support you in careful stretching to ease pressure and improve the flow of blood and lymph
- offer time and space for you to focus on yourself and your baby, away from the stresses of your day to day life
You & Baby
Whilst medically the post-natal (also referred to as postpartum) period is defined as the six weeks following the delivery of the placenta, in reality the rate of recovery varies considerably from mother to mother. The changes to your musculo-skeletal system are the slowest to recover and caring for yourself now can help to prevent long term patterns of weakness.
There is commonly a feeling that you must achieve the best of everything – balancing family, social pressures, home and work – allowing little time to rest and look after yourself. I will support you post-natally from the birth of your baby to the end of the first year.
Having treatment with me during your postnatal period may bring you the following benefits:
- time and space for you to relax deeply, explore your feelings and get back in touch with your body
- support in bonding with your baby
- relief of backache through massage and awareness of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles
- treatment of neck and shoulder pain – commonly resulting from feeding posture
- treatment of your scar tissue to release restriction and optimise long term healing
- mobilisation during the treatment and with through simple exercises
- postural awareness when lifting, feeding, carrying and caring for other children
- reassurance and recommendations of appropriate resources for further support if appropriate
