Authors:

• Charity Caudle

• Melissa Mackinnon

• Christina DiRosa

Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy massage is a form of massage that is designed to help pregnant women, by relieving their aches and pains. It is a type of massage that must be performed very gently so that you don’t cause anymore discomfort to the mother or the unborn child. There are many benefits for the mother that can be taken from a pregnancy massage, such as increase in energy, reduction of fluid retention and releasing stress; it can also benefit the baby’s wellbeing. (Pregnancy Massage 2008)

Prenatal massage is also helpful when it comes to preparing for labor. It helps to teach the mother to release all tension, focus on relaxation and focus on her breathing techniques.

The main areas targeted by pregnancy massage are:

Neck Back Weight bearing joints

During a prenatal massage the table should be in a semi-reclining

What is Pregnancy Massage?

IndividualHighlights:

Origins 2

Equipment 2

Benefits/Risks 3

RMT Interview 4

Places in Barrie 5

References 6

position, so that the client can be comfortable and relax as well as keeping it safe for the baby. The therapist will then position the client on her side, so that he/she will be able to massage the client’s back and hip (Pregnancy Massage Health Article 2005-2008). The setting of the room would be the same as any normal massage room with low lights, soft music and candles with the exception of some added padding to help keep the client warm.

There are certain oils that can be used and others that cannot. The few that can be used are: Tea Tree, Lemon, Sandalwood and Tangerine. The oils that cannot be used are: Basil, Jasmine, and Fennel (Massage Therapy: step by step guide, 2007).

(OMTA, 2008)

Pregnancy (prenatal) massage has been around for thousands of years, appearing in many different cultures and in many different forms. In the Indian Ayuredic medical manuals instructions can be found on how to rub oils into pregnant patients’ abdominal skin. Prenatal massage has also been documented throughout art. Some traditional Eskimo sculptures show fathers massaging laboring wives’ backs. Pregnancy massage was also practiced by doulas (midwives) in Irish hospitals. Over thousands of years midwives who provided support and eased childbearing discomforts (Healthline Networks, 2008).

Throughout history women have relied on other women during their pregnancy and child birth. According to K. Kilson doula is Greek for “women helping women” in childbirth. A doula has come to be known for providing physical and emotional support in a non-medical manner. One of a doula’s relaxation methods is pregnancy massage. Her presence and

The Origins of Pregnancy Massage

Equipment for Pregnancy Massage

“Having a doula

present during

labor will help

to… reduce pain

medication use

by 30%”

Pregnancy massage table

Page 2 of 6 Pregnancy Massage

techniques leave the mother with the best possible birthing scenario (2008).

Bella Maternity Services suggests that having a doula decreases medical intervention in labor and provides a better pregnancy. Having a doula will help to:

Reduce the need for Cesarean operation by 50%

Reduce the length of labor by 25%

Reduce the use of labor-inducing drug pitocin by 40%

Reduce pain medication use by 30%

Reduce the need for forceps by 40%

Reduce epidural requests by 60%

6 weeks after birth, mothers who had doulas were:

Less anxious and depressed

More confident with their baby

More satisfied with their partner

When providing a pregnant client with a massage, there are different options for equipment. If a therapist does many treatments with pregnant women, they may want to invest in a massage table (as seen to the right) for use with pregnant women. As women grow during their pregnancy this table has cut outs for their stomach and breasts and allow the women to lay prone during their treatment. However some therapists find that there is less support provided by these tables which causes additional strain on the mothers stomach (McDermott, 2008). For therapists who do not have a special table they use additional pillows and towels and other

Bodyscape Massage Therapy (n.d.)

Nava, S. (n.d.)

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

During pregnancy the woman experiences many different symptoms which cause added stress on the body. Having massage done during each stage of pregnancy can help to alleviate these symptoms and make this time more comfortable.

The benefits of pregnancy massage can include:

Tranquil relaxation and reduce stress.

Relief from muscle cramps, spasms, and myofascial pain, especially in the lower back, neck hips, and legs.

Increase in blood and lymph circulation, which can reduce swelling.

Reduce stress on weight-bearing joints.

Risks of Pregnancy Massage (Things to keep in mind)

As it is not only the mother you have to worry about during pregnancy massage, there are different ways that you should consider to treat your client. There are certain conditions in which the mother should not be treated during pregnancy. Some of these instances are: “a high-risk pregnancy or pregnancy with multiples, hypertension, preeclampsia, or a history of pre-term labor” (McDermott, 2008). It is suggested that a client receive a letter from their doctor prior to starting massage therapy treatments (McDermott, 2008).

Due to the higher risk of miscarriages during the first

Page 3 of 6Pregnancy Massage

Improves outcome of labor and eases labor pain.

Enhances the pliability of skin and underlying tissues.

Provides support for the new mother with physical and emotional strains of mothering. (Weiss, 2008).

There are other reasons than those listed above which support mothers in their choice for pregnancy massage. Some women look to massage as a way to avoid taking other medications which may harm the baby (McDermott, 2008). During active labor a doula can help to “shorten the labor, reduce pain, and improve the odds of a natural child birth” (McDermott, 2008). While some studies “indicate that regular massage during pregnancy can help reduce the onset of post-partum depression after the baby is born” (McDermott, 2008).

trimester, many massage therapists will refuse to do treatments during this time. The therapist feels safer in protecting themselves and the mother by doing this (McDermott, 2008).

According to my interview with Amanda Kulbaba, RMT, on November 11, 2008 she suggests that if treating in the first 3 months you would not do any heavy work on the sacrum. There are certain aromatherapies which can cause problems such as rose, due to the fact that it causes menstruation. If the mother is healthy, the positioning of the client will need to be modified, and deep tissues and aggressive work should be avoided. When there are other medical

hug.a.bub Baby Carrier (n.d.)

Part of Interview was discussed in the above sections on benefits and risks and was therefore not repeated in this section.

How did you become qualified to do pregnancy massage? I.e. what courses did you have to take, where did you go?

There are no additional courses needed. You learn pregnancy massage as a therapist. There may be some outreaches with pregnancy massage, working in a hospital/maternity ward. It should be taught in the program. It could be on an OP exam.

Is there any specific equipment/ facilities that allow you to perform pregnancy massage?

No specific equipment required. You are doing the same thing; you just modify the way you massage. Modify the strokes and positioning, possibly using heat on the lower

Interview with RMT Amanda Kulbaba

1. How is your general health? Is there a history of maternal cardiac, renal thyroid, pulmonary, gastrointestinal or hepatic diseases or diabetes, placing the fetus or mother at some risk for complications ranging from low of high birth weight to potential early labor?

2. At what stage is the pregnancy?

3. Is there a history of previous pregnancies? Were there any

Health History Questions for Pregnant Women

“There are no

additional

courses needed

(to become a

pregnancy

massage

therapist)”

“At what stage is

the pregnancy?”

Page 4 of 6 Pregnancy Massage

back in months 5-9. If there are additional medical issues you may need to modify more.Do you find that overall mothers have a positive experience with pregnancy massage, and that it helps to relieve their pregnancy symptoms?

Definitely. However by the 9th month the treatments are not as effective and the results don’t last as long. But the women still enjoy the time they have even if it is only an hour of being pain free. In early pregnancy they still find the massage enjoyable.

Is there anything additional you think we should know about pregnancy massage that we haven’t already asked?

If there isn’t a severe medical condition, doing the treatments is more about the modifications and positioning changes. You need to keep in mind working with other medical conditions that may arise in women during their pregnancy.

complications in the pregnancy or labor?

4. What symptoms are you experiencing at the present?

5. Make sure you take the clients blood pressure throughout the pregnancy. If signs of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia are present the woman is immediately referred to her midwife or physician.

Health History Questions from (Rattray, 2000, p. 186)

Well Now Massage Therapy and Holistic Health Centre

Location: 205 Bayfield Street, Unit 100

Barrie On, L4M 3B4Tel: 705 726-5412Fax: 705 730-6583

http://www.wellnowhealth.ca/contact.htm

Adams Massage Therapy Drop-In Centre, Registered Massage Therapy, Barrie Ontario

Location: 580 Bryne Dr. Unit A2 Barrie On, L4N 9P6

Tel: 705 734-RMTS (7687)

Places to get Pregnancy Massage in Barrie

Page 5 of 6Pregnancy Massage

http://www.adamsmassagetherapy.com/contact_us.html

Lisa SmithRMT

Location: 157 Bradford St. Barrie On,

Tel: 705 719-9884 705 725-8632

E-MAIL:  info@lisasmithrmt.ca

http://lisasmithrmt.ca/index.php

The Spat at Horseshoe Resort

Location: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd.

Barrie On, Tel: 1-800-939-9620

Myosite Massage Therapy (2006)

1. Bella Maternity Services (2008) Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved November 11, 2008 from: http://www.bellamaternityservices.com/faq.html

2. Kilson, K. (2008). Doulas and Childbirth. Retrieved November 11, 2008

from: http://home.earthlink.net/

3. Massage Therapy: Step by Step Guide. (2007). 101 lifestyle. Retrieved November 5, 2008, from http://www.101lifestyle.com

4. McDermott, T. (2008). Pregnancy Massage: Another Option for Massage Therapists. Retrieved November 14, 2008 from http://www.articlealley.com/

5. Pregnancy Massage. (2008). Pregnancy-Calendars. Retrieved November 5, 2008 from http://www.pregnancy-calendars.org

6. Pregnancy Massage. (2008).Pygmy Possum. Retrieved November 5, 2008, from http://www.pygmypossun.com

7. Pregnancy Massage Health Article. (2005-2008). Gale Cengage Learning. Retrieved November 7, 2008, from http://www.healthline.com

8. Rattray, F., Ludwig, L., (2000, March). Clinical Massage Therapy: Understanding and Assessing and Treating over 70 Conditions. Ontario: Talus Incorporated

References List

Pregnancy Massage

Images References List

Beneficial Massage Services. (2006-2008). Retrieved November 11, 2008

Bodyscape Massage Therapy (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2008 from:http://wesh.cityvoter.com/bodyscape-massage-therapy/biz/7774

Heart of Nature Apothecary (2005). Retrieved November 5, 2008 from: http://heartofnatureapothecary.com/Natal_Body_Care.html (Image in header on First and Last pages)

Hug.a.bub Baby Carrier. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2008 from: http://www.hugabub.com/lc/pregnancy_and_birth/30/1

Myosite Massage Therapy. (2006). Retrieved November 11, 2008 from: http://www.myositemassagetherapy.com/pregnancymassage.html

Nava, S. (n.d.). Willow Centre for Wellness. Retrieved November 16, 2008 from: http://underthewillow.info/default.aspx

http://www.omta.com/default.asp?id=1073