You might think of having a massage as just a treat, but having massage during pregnancy is not only good for you but also your baby.
Here are four very good reasons to invest in some pregnancy massages during this special time.

1. Relieve pregnancy aches and pains
Your body is naturally changing shape and some of your muscles, like your abdominals, become less able to work properly as your baby grows so others will have to work harder to support you. This can lead to muscular aches and pain of varying severity. For some women this might be niggling shoulder or upper back tension, others might experience lower back or pelvic girdle pain. A massage therapist who specialises in pregnancy massage will be able to position you safely and comfortably and treat your symptoms effectively to relieve muscular pain and enable you to move more freely.

2. Reduce stress
Pregnancy marks the beginning of a huge change to your life both at work and home and this can feel stressful, no matter how excited you are. The most common physical effects of stress include increased blood pressure, the release of stress hormones (cortisol), muscle tension and poor sleep. Therapeutic massage during your pregnancy can significantly lower blood pressure, increase your body’s production of serotonin (a hormone that hampers the production of cortisol) and help you sleep better. This is good for both you and your baby.

3. Bonding with your baby
Having a massage gives you time to simply reconnect with your body and the movements of your baby. Gentle abdominal massage carried out by a therapist or by yourself, your partner or your children, is a lovely opportunity to bond with your baby as you feel their movements and reponses to the massage.

4. Preparing for labour
Massage is not only a fantastic tool for pain relief during labour, but can also help you beforehand to prepare physically and to learn how to stay calm and focused. It’s a fact that mothers who have been massaged during pregnancy have a reduced length of labour, with less need for medication.

If you’re thinking about having a pregnancy massage or buying one as a gift for a friend, we couldn’t recommend them more highly to you.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any other questions.