The benefits of massage during pregnancy include reducing pain in the back and legs, increasing skin hydration, helping to prevent stretch marks, improving self-esteem, reducing stress and anxiety and even contributing to combating Depression is therefore a good natural strategy to improve a woman’s quality of life at this stage of so many physical and emotional changes.
However, many massages are contraindicated during pregnancy because they can increase blood circulation, stimulate reflex points, increase intra-abdominal pressure or cause uterine contraction, which could be harmful to the baby. Therefore, it is best to only have a special massage for pregnant women performed by a specialized therapist to enjoy all its benefits safely and effectively.
Know how to recognize uterine contractions.
Types of massages for pregnant women
Some good examples of massages that can be performed during pregnancy are:
- Manual lymphatic drainage;
- Relaxing massage;
- Therapeutic massage;
- Ayurvedic massage;
- Foot massage or reflexology;
- Whatsu, which is similar to Shiatsu, but is done in water.
There is also another massage recommended for pregnant women, which is pelvic massage, which should only be performed in the final phase of pregnancy, by the woman herself or her partner, directly in the intimate region and perineum to prepare the body, increasing the flexibility of the pelvic muscles, encouraging normal birth. This massage must be guided by a professional specialized in this method.
Contraindications to massage during pregnancy
There are cases where pregnant women cannot be massaged during pregnancy, such as women with:
- Uncontrolled high blood pressurebecause blood pressure may rise during massage,
- Deep vein thrombosis because the thrombus can travel and reach the heart or lung and
- Renal insufficiency because excess fluids will be directed to the kidneys and if these are not efficient in filtration, they can be damaged.
Massages should also not be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy because at this stage the risk of a woman losing the baby is greater, and it is better not to take any risks.
Essential care during massage for pregnant women
The total duration of the massage should not exceed 40 minutes and it can be performed whenever the woman wishes, although some frequency is recommended, such as at least 1 or 2 times a week, so that the benefits can be achieved.
The following reflex points should not be stimulated: Median position between the thumb and index finger, the inside of the knees and also around the ankles because they favor uterine contraction.
The massage can be performed with sweet almond oil, grape seed oil or a moisturizing cream, preferably suitable for massage, as it glides better on the skin and is absorbed more slowly than a common moisturizing cream. Care must be taken with the essential oils present in some oils and moisturizers because they are made from medicinal plants and not all of them can be used during pregnancy. Discover some plants that are contraindicated during pregnancy and cannot be ingested, but which can also be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Ideal position for pregnant women to receive a massage
The essential thing is to never put pressure on the belly and that is why anyone who has a special stretcher for pregnant women, which has an opening in the middle, has a greater advantage when it is necessary to treat the back, but if this stretcher is not accessible, you can use pillows and supports that can help maintain the woman’s comfort, ensuring her relaxation throughout the massage.
To massage the face, chest and belly: Lying on your back
The woman should have her legs supported on top of a triangle-shaped cushion that allows her legs to be flexed, and her knees to be well elevated, as this prevents the increase in intra-abdominal pressure and provides greater comfort and support for the spine. . However, this position can slightly reduce the amount of oxygen that reaches the baby and therefore the woman should not stay in this position for a long time.
The belly massage should be very gentle and should not last more than 2 minutes as it may encourage uterine contraction.
To massage the neck, back and legs: Lying on your side or sitting
It is best for the woman to lie on the left side of the body during the massage and the pillows can be positioned under the head and between the legs, the body can be slightly tilted forward. Some pregnant women prefer not to rest one leg on the other, but to leave the leg that is higher on top of the body relaxed, but supported with the knee on the stretcher, a little further in front of the body.
If this position is still not very comfortable, you can receive a back and neck massage while sitting with your head and arms resting on another chair, as long as you can relax in that position.
