Massage during Pregnancy
When pregnant ladies get themselves a massage during the course of their pregnancy, the session can have a lot of benefits for their physical and emotional well-being. It is a known fact that pregnant women will be under a lot of stress for the entire nine months of their pregnancy.
What research says
According to scientific research, stress can be very harmful for pregnant mothers and the baby she is carrying in her womb. This is because stress commonly affects the mother’s blood pressure and also the normal grown and development of the fetus.
In pregnancy, the lady normally gets an enlarged belly. Moreover, this enlargement of the abdominal portion can cause a lot of stress on the neck, knees, back, hips, and especially the spine. The joints that usually bear the load take extra abuse because during pregnancy, they are carrying more than the usual weight they carry.
Feeling relaxed
If the mother undergoes a lot of stressful situations, there could be some detrimental effects on the course of her pregnancy, on her general health, and the baby’s as well. Getting a massage will help them feel more relaxed as the masseuse targets the tenser areas. Moreover, according to studies, when pregnant women get themselves a very relaxing massage, they become stronger and much more able to endure the pain and rigors of labor and delivery.
Improved circulation
When the muscles are tense, the blood flow is restricted. This situation contributes to the poor blood circulation of the mother and fetus. Another thing that can limit blood flow is the presence of swelling or inflammation. A massage can have some great effects in improving the circulation of not only blood, but the lymphatic fluids as well. Having a proper circulation promotes lesser inflammation and better drainage.
The sciatic nerve
Most of the women who get pregnant suffer from sciatica. This is a condition wherein they feel pain along their sciatic nerve which is commonly found in the upper thigh and the buttocks. This pain can be debilitating. The good thing is, it can be correct if it is massaged properly.
Fixing muscle cramps
Masseuses can fix muscle cramps and spasms that are usually caused by the tightness or the stiffness of the muscles that are located in the neck, back, hips and legs. The joints are also relaxed because the massage takes off the stress.
Do not be fooled.
Do not just have a pregnancy massage with just any masseuse. The massage therapist should be specifically certified or licensed to perform massages whenever the client is pregnant. This is very important because the abdominal part of the pregnant lady should never be applied pressure on.
Positioning
The position for the session is not the same with that of regular massages because the pregnant client will be placed in a semi-reclining position and moved from one side to another, staying in a particular side for only not more than fifteen minutes.
Although some tables have already been custom-made at the belly part, designed especially for pregnant clients, expert massage therapists would recommend to their clients not to use them to prevent any stress on the back.

