I am a NutureLife Practitioner and are therefore perfectly qualified to assist all women during their pregnancy journey, whether they are in their 1st trimester or beyond (including preconception and postnatal).
Pregnancy massage provides a myriad of benefits, from the relief of tension and pain, to better sleep and an improved state of mind, just to name a few.
Pregnancy massage has the same goals as regular massage
It is also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. Carrying a baby inside you changes your centre of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward.
As a trained pregnancy massage therapist I can target those sore spots and provide some relief, while knowing which areas, and what techniques, to avoid.
Benefits of massage during pregnancy:
First Trimester Massage
The common misconception exists that women in their 1st trimester are unable to receive a massage treatment, a myth which is often reinforced by massage therapists that are not qualified to provide pregnancy specific massages.
As a qualified NutureLife® Practitioner I am qualified to assist all women during their pregnancy whether they are in their 1st trimester or beyond. The specific benefits of receiving massage during the 1st pregnancy include:
Optimal comfort
Most women find it uncomfortable to lie facedown right from the start of pregnancy because of their tender, swollen breasts. It is also difficult to lie facedown on a traditional massage table once your belly has started to grow and it isn’t recommended that you lie flat on your back either, particularly once you’re past mid-pregnancy. For these reasons, once you are no longer comfortable lying on your stomach, or you are midway through your pregnancy (whichever comes first), I have you lie on your side with pillows and wedges for support. This position provides the optimum positioning for your spine and pelvis for receiving massage (as well as being the ideal position for sleeping on your side during pregnancy). You will find the position to be deeply relaxing and incredibly effective.
Massage can be extremely beneficial at any stage of your pregnancy, when given from a fully qualified Pregnancy massage therapist. However, with a high-risk pregnancy I may require clearance from your doctor or midwife before treating you.
Postnatal massage
It is as important to care for yourself during the postpartum period as it is during pregnancy. Massage can help you deal with the physical demands of caring for your newborn by:
I understand it can be difficult to find time for yourself during this period, but the benefits are well worth it.