Pregnancy can be an uncomfortable time. You’ll be dealing with different kinds of discomfort, aches, pain, and more. Your hormones can also wreak havoc on your emotions, and it can sometimes be difficult to relax and just gain equilibrium. Fortunately, there are many things that can help you cope more effectively with the difficulties you may encounter during and after pregnancy.
Recovering from giving can also be a difficult process for many. However, prenatal massage and postnatal massage can both be beneficial to pregnant and new moms. Massages in general are beneficial for your health, both mental and physical. They can thus be helpful to you during your pregnancy and recovery, though you’ll have to make sure that you’re as safe as possible while getting a massage.
Though there are differences between a prenatal and a postnatal massage, there are also lots of similarities as well. Prenatal massages are for women who are still pregnant, while postnatal massages are for postpartum women.
In general, the purposes of prenatal and postnatal massage are similar in that they can both help improve your overall well-being. Prenatal massage can help with things such as pain relief and the various kinds of discomfort that moms experience during pregnancy. If you’re having persistent back pain or pelvic pain, or pain and aches in other parts of your body during pregnancy, a prenatal massage can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Postnatal massage, meanwhile, can also help with the stress of having an infant at home as well as mood swings. It can also be an excellent addition to treatments for postpartum depression.
Can pregnant women get massages safely?
Yes, though there are certain things that you’ll need to keep in mind. One of these things is timing. Typically, it’s best to avoid getting a massage during the first trimester. This is because a massage can worsen nausea and dizziness, which pregnant moms usually experience during the first few months. You’ll be more likely to be able to enjoy a massage after the third trimester.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you’ll have to talk to your OBGYN about getting a massage before you actually get on the table. Your OBGYN will be able to help you determine if a prenatal massage is a safe option for you.
Lastly, if you’re getting a massage while pregnant or in recovery, make sure that you go to a reputable massage service that has experience with prenatal and postnatal massage. While there’s little concrete evidence that massages can negatively impact pregnancy in significant ways, it’s still best to be careful. If you have a regular massage therapist, tell them that you’re pregnant before going in for a session.
When to get a postnatal massage
Once you’ve given birth, you can also get a massage to help you with the recovery process. If you gave birth naturally, you can get a postnatal massage as soon as you feel like you’re up for it. However, if you had a caesarean section or a complicated birth, it’s important to consult your doctor first before getting a massage.
The frequency of massages is also up to you. You can get a massage once a week, once a month, or however often your time, finances, and resources allow. You should also tell your massage therapist that you’re postpartum to ensure that you’re receiving the kind of care you need for your specific situation.
There are different types of massage that can help you during your recovery. These include acupressure, Swedish massage, and the like. Regardless of the type of massage you want, make sure that you receive it from a practitioner who’s experienced with postnatal massages.
Ensure that your baby gets only the best of the best. Enfamama and Enfagrow can help you stay healthy and provide your baby with the nutrients they need to grow strong.
Where to get prenatal and postnatal massages in Singapore
There are different spas and services in Singapore that cater to pregnant moms and new moms, and they’re worth checking out. Some establishments specialize in prenatal and postnatal massage, while others offer general massage services with specific massage packages for moms.
You can search online for nearby establishments that can offer you the massages you need, or you can ask around if your friends and family have any recommendations. Establishments like Post Natal Massage Singapore and Mummy’s Massage cater specifically to new moms, while various spas around the country offer prenatal and postnatal massage services.
Prenatal massage benefits
If you’re out of your first trimester and you’ve been dealing with pain and discomfort, a massage can do you a world of good. You can speak to your doctor about whether or not it would be safe for you to get a massage at this point in your pregnancy. If you get the green light, you can look for establishments or services that provide prenatal massage for expecting mothers.
Below, you’ll see some of the ways a prenatal massage can benefit you. If you’re pregnant but still hesitant about getting a massage, you can check out how a good massage can help you. A prenatal massage is largely similar to a regular massage, but it’s modified to provide for the specific needs of a pregnant mom.
Relieves cramping and back pain
Back pain is one of the most common features of pregnancy, especially in the later stages when your baby has grown bigger and heavier. For many women, these pains and aches are tolerable and can be easily dealt with without the need for much intervention. However, if you find that the aches are reoccurring or they last longer and they’re affecting your day-to-day activities, a massage might be in order.
Of course, it’s also important to keep in mind that you should not wait until the pain is near-unbearable to seek out interventions. If you feel like you’d like a massage to help relieve muscle pain and back pain, you can speak to your OBGYN about getting one.
Relieves insomnia
Insomnia is quite common during pregnancy, and it can occur in any trimester. You may start experiencing insomnia during the second and third trimesters, when the baby is getting bigger and more active. This can make it more difficult to get a full night’s sleep, especially when the baby decides to start tapdancing on your bladder at 2 am. Some babies can also be more active at night, so if you’re a light sleeper, significant movements have the potential to disrupt your sleep.
A good back massage in particular has been found to be beneficial to improving the duration and quality of sleep. You can still receive back massages even in advanced pregnancy, as long as you go to a therapist who has experience working with pregnant women. Combined with other ways to promote good sleep, a massage can help you sleep better. You’ll definitely need it before the inevitable sleepless nights when the baby comes.
Relieves stress
Pregnancy involves a lot of hormones. These include estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and more. However, these aren’t the only hormones you’ll have to deal with. You’ll also be affected by the stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol, as well as the happy hormones dopamine and serotonin.
A massage can help keep those stress hormones down while also increasing your happy hormones. It’s best to keep your stress levels as low as possible during pregnancy, and anything that can help you do that can be worth trying.
Of course, we can’t be completely rid of stress. A normal amount of stress isn’t likely to affect your pregnancy, but various things can cause you more stress than usual during pregnancy. A massage, as well as other relaxing activities, can help you relax more and lower your stress levels.
Improves physical and mental health
A massage can be beneficial to both your physical and mental health. Not only does it reduce pain and swelling, but it can also help you sleep better and relax more. Stress, lack of sleep, body pain, and other kinds of discomfort can adversely affect your health, which can in turn affect your pregnancy. Keeping yourself in top shape as much as possible, both physically and mentally, is important in helping ensure that your pregnancy is healthy and pleasant.
Of course, a massage isn’t the only thing that can help keep you healthy. You’ll also need to have a good diet, a reliable exercise regime, and good habits that help you maintain your overall health. However, a massage is a good addition to your existing routines, and it can also help you get back on track if you haven’t been feeling like you’re at 100%.
Reduces swelling and cramps
Your body undergoes a lot of changes when you’re pregnant. Not only will your belly grow larger as the months go by, but you’ll also notice differences in other parts of your body. Swelling in the feet and ankles, for example, is common in pregnant women. Swollen feet and ankles can be uncomfortable, and they can also hurt if you spend all day on your feet.
Luckily, getting a foot massage can help the swelling go down and relieve any pain or discomfort you’re experiencing. However, before you get a massage for swelling, clear it first with your doctor. You might have blood clots in your legs, which a foot or leg massage can exacerbate. A history of blood clots can also preclude you from getting foot massages. However, if your doctor gives you the all-clear, you’ll likely be able to safely enjoy the benefits of this massage.
Postnatal massage benefits
Having a newborn can be tough, regardless if it’s your first, second, third, and so on. Your body will be recovering, you’ll be sleeping less during the first few months of your newborn’s life, and you’ll have to worry about a myriad of other things that come with the territory when you have a new baby. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by it all and even sometimes forget about your own wellbeing.
However, it’s important to remember that babies benefit more from healthy and happy parents. While a massage isn’t the end-all-be-all of health and happiness, it can certainly be helpful. You can get a postnatal massage soon after birth if you’ve had an uncomplicated natural delivery, but you’ll have to wait a while if you’ve had a C-section or a complicated birth.
Helps with recovery
Recovering from birth can be a difficult process for many, especially with different factors involved. It can take time for you to bounce back and feel like yourself again, and having a demanding newborn certainly won’t help much. Once you’re cleared to get a massage, try to see if you can have some time to get one. It can help you recover sooner and feel more like yourself.
In general, a postnatal massage can help reduce any pains or aches you may be feeling, lower your stress, and help you relax more. Stress can impede your recovery, increase your blood pressure, and make you feel ill in general. Thus, with a relaxing massage, you’ll be helping your mind and body get on the road to recovery.
Helps with breastfeeding
Many moms have a lot of struggles with breastfeeding, including having a low breastmilk supply. Having a low supply can be quite distressing for both mom and baby, and it can sometimes be difficult to find a single solution that works. Whatever you’re doing to increase your supply, you can further supplement your efforts by adding a postnatal massage to the mix.
A massage can be helpful in improving your circulation and milk production. Massages can stimulate the production of a hormone called prolactin, which is instrumental in helping your body produce breast milk.
Additionally, because it’s relaxing, it can also help you feel less stress about producing breastmilk for your baby. You can go to an establishment that offers postnatal massage and inform them that you’re having issues with breastfeeding. They’ll likely know what to do to help you increase your milk supply.
Relieves pain and discomfort
Prenatal massages can help reduce pain and discomfort, and it’s the same for postnatal massages. Carrying and birthing a child aren’t pain-free, and neither is the recovery period after birth. You may still feel pain in your muscles, joints, ligaments, and shoulders. This is typically a normal part of the recovery process, especially considering the changes your body is going through.
Of course, all that pain is still not a walk in the park to go through, and you shouldn’t grin and bear the pain with all the interventions available to you. Getting a massage is one of the best things you can do to get rid of any pain and discomfort you may be feeling. You can tell your massage therapist where the pain and aches in your body are so you’ll receive the care you need. Get a massage as often as you want or can, but make sure that your doctor signs off on it first.
Reduces swelling
Swelling doesn’t just happen during pregnancy. You might also experience postpartum swelling because of the hormone progesterone. You’ll retain water in some parts of your body, causing noticeable swelling that can appear in your hands, feet, ankles, and legs. A massage can help the swelling go down more quickly, which can help you bounce back sooner.
Massages can help circulate the water in your body, removing them from the swollen parts and helping your body get rid of the excess. It’s also important to note that while postpartum swelling is normal, it should only last for about a week after giving birth. If you think that the swelling hasn’t gone down much, ask your doctor if getting a massage can help. You can get a foot massage from a massage therapist, or you can ask a family member or friend to give you a massage at home.
Improves quality of sleep
It’s more or less a given that you’ll be losing sleep during the first few months of your baby’s life, or at least until your baby is able to sleep through the night. You should thus get as much sleep as you can in the meantime, though this may be easier said than done, of course. With the help of a good massage, you can get the most out of the sleep that you do manage to get.
You may also experience difficulty falling asleep even when your baby has started sleeping through the night. Different factors, including stress, can cause this. Getting a massage can help you get your sleep cycle back on track and improve your sleep quality. Good sleep is important in maintaining good health, both physical and mental. Among the many things you can do to get better sleep, getting a postnatal massage is one of the most relaxing and beneficial.
References
- https://www.nuhs.edu/patients/health-information/articles/top-5-health-benefits-of-regular-massage-therapy/
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/prenatal-massage/
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/insomnia.aspx
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637143/
- https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/pregnancy-hormones.aspx
- https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/foot-massage-pregnancy
- https://www.webmd.com/baby/benefits-postpartum-massage
- https://www.verywellfamily.com/prolactin-and-breastfeeding-3860902
- https://www.healthline.com/health/postpartum-massage
