Massage after Having a Baby

Massage can be very beneficial during and after pregnancy. It is generally accepted that it should be avoided during the first trimester and if the mother has a history of miscarriage but other than this there are many instances where massage can be positively beneficial during pregnancy.

The action of the hormone relaxin during pregnancy makes the tissues stretchier to ease the way for labour. The disadvantage is that relaxin can, by relaxing the ligaments, make the load on the muscles greater and the joints looser. This can increase the load on the muscles and can lead to muscle pain. In addition loosened joints – for example the pubic symphysis, can become excrutiatingly painful during the later stages of pregnancy.

Massage can ease discomfort and pain. It can reduces tightness in the legs caused by oedematous tissues and may help to reduce the nightime cramps which some women suffer.

It is perfectly possible to treat a heavily pregnant woman lying on her side and a low back massage can be wonderfully therapeutic to ladies  in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Painful hips, SPD and low back pain in pregnancy can all be eased with massage and post delivery it can help during the transition of the body to it’s pre – pregnancy condition.