PREGNANCY AND LABOUR SUPPORT

Pregnancy and Labour Support

So you’re expecting -- an exciting but likely very demanding time for you. Did you know that there is a simple way to help to alleviate stress and labour pain, and improve your soon-to-be-born baby’s health while also reducing the risk of complications? The centuries-old practice of massage therapy can help to provide these benefits and many more to you and your unborn baby.

How massage will benefit you during your pregnancy, labour and birthing

Studies support what more and more women are discovering about massage therapy during pregnancy – it has been shown to:

  • improve maternal mood
  • decrease depression and anxiety
  • decrease pain
  • decrease stress hormones in pregnant women (including those suffering from depression)
  • decrease obstetrical complications, and
  • improve neonatal health and development.

In addition, the overall benefit of improved mood to maternal and neonatal health has the potential to positively impact the health of individual mothers and children.

There is also evidence that massage therapy through the labour and birthing process helps to:

  • decrease pain in all three stages of labour (latent, active, and transition),
  • reduce anxiety in the latent stage,
  • reduce stress during labour, and 
  • increase the quality of your experience of childbirth.

These immediate effects of massage therapy may affect other longer-term effects such as decreased length of labour, shorter hospital stay, less touch sensitivity and fewer instances of postpartum depression. 

Your newborn baby benefits too

Studies conclude that preterm (premature) infants receiving massage gain more weight and leave the hospital sooner. Massage therapy may also improve sleep patterns and behaviour in infants.

Common Concerns about Pregnancy Massage

You and your baby’s well-being comes first. Massage Therapists are professionally trained to work with you to develop an effective and safe massage therapy treatment plan during your pregnancy that will complement the care you are receiving from your doctor and other healthcare providers. Specially-designed massages tables, ergonomic cushions and supports are used to ensure your safety and comfort during your massage therapy treatment. Massage Therapists are also prepared to address the subtle needs of expectant mothers like yourself, including the potential need for frequent restroom breaks and the use of unscented massage oil so as to not aggravate a sensitive sense of smell. Good communication with your therapist will result in the most beneficial and rewarding pregnancy-massage therapy for you and your baby.

Massage therapy – a safe and effective way to improve the experience of birth.