For the parent-to-be, prenatal massage offers many of the same benefits you would expect from a regular massage. There’s nothing like a deep tissue massage for loosening tight muscles, providing pain relief, and reducing stress!
But, it doesn’t end there! For the pregnant woman, bodywork is also very helpful for boosting blood circulation for both mother and baby. Our New York City massage therapists also know how to help with the changing needs of a mother-to-be throughout each month of her pregnancy.
Prenatal massage is also helpful for the lower back pain, sciatica, and pelvic pain many women experience during pregnancy. It can also bring relief for the digestion and elimination issues that come with a rapidly changing body.
As a New York City resident, you already lead a hectic lifestyle that includes lots of walking and climbing the subway stairs. Massage therapy can ease the aches and pains that will no doubt increase as your pregnancy progresses.
The Importance of Pregnancy Massage
Maintaining the health of your uterus and the ligaments that support it is crucial to a healthy pregnancy. Pregnancy massage is a great way to prevent common pregnancy issues like incontinence, prolapse, and scar tissue (especially from a Cesarean birth).
Our NYC massage therapists can also help relieve the leg cramps and muscle spasms that many pregnant women experience. It also helps to relieve edema, varicose veins, and high blood pressure that can become a major issue for many women.
Prenatal massage offers benefits for your growing baby, as well! It’s a great way to relieve the anxiety and stress that often come with rising hormone levels. Many studies have shown that a calm and happy mother leads to healthier development for her baby.
How Prenatal Massage Affects Labor and Delivery
Studies show that attending massage sessions regularly during your pregnancy can ease labor and delivery, too! The potential benefits include:
- 25% shorter delivery time
- 30% less need for pain medication
- 50% fewer Cesarean births
- 60% fewer requests for epidurals
The Benefits of Therapeutic Massage During Each Trimester
Your rapidly changing body will have different needs during each stage of your pregnancy. Our NYC prenatal massage therapists will adjust each session according to what your body needs:
Prenatal massage during your first trimester
During the first trimester, we’ll work together to create a solid foundation for a healthy pregnancy. This is the time to address any pre-existing issues you may have, such as back, neck, or shoulder pain, sciatica, and any other chronic problems.
Addressing these issues early will help your body handle the added weight as your baby grows. As your belly grows, your center of gravity will shift, putting stress on weaker muscles, joints, and ligaments. Our focus will be on strengthening these areas.
You may also experience some emotional anxiety and stress during this time, which can be relieved during a prenatal massage.
Prenatal massage during your second trimester
By the time you enter your second trimester, your pregnancy is well established. Your body will be changing rapidly as your uterus grows in size from a mere four ounces to as much as 13 pounds.
Our main focus at this time will be on toning and strengthening the ligaments that support your uterus and the new life growing within it. Keeping these ligaments strong is the key to preventing pregnancy complications like back pain and labor, pelvic pain, and even premature delivery.
In some ways, your baby will be experiencing his or her first massage, too. Since this is such a wonderful way to connect with your baby, we will also teach you self-care massage techniques you can use at home.
Prenatal massage during your third trimester
As you enter the third trimester, our focus will begin to shift toward preparing you for labor and delivery. There are many rapid changes occurring inside and outside of your body during this time.
The added weight and increased hormone levels lead to additional strain on your muscles and ligaments. Even the simplest of movements can lead to muscle spasms and pain, so we’ll focus on massage techniques that will keep them loose and relaxed.
Thanks to the pressure of your growing uterus, you may also experience swelling and edema, as well as digestion and elimination issues. Prenatal massage is very useful for combating these symptoms.
Relaxing your muscles and ligaments will also prepare your body for an easier labor and delivery and a faster recovery.
Postnatal Massage
The benefits of massage therapy don’t end when your baby is born! Postpartum massage will help return your uterus, pelvic floor, digestive, and bladder health back to normal. It can also help ease the emotional anxiety that comes with the elevated hormone levels of post-pregnancy.
Your First Visit to New York City’s Yinova Center
Pregnancy massage services are available at Yinova’s Manhattan, East Side, and Brooklyn Heights locations. Each session can range from 60 minutes to two hours, depending on your specific needs.
Our certified New York City massage therapists will use a variety of medical massage and bodywork techniques during your appointment. These may include:
- Swedish massage
- Myofascial massage
- Stretching and range of motion exercises
- Aromatherapy, acupressure, reflexology and other techniques to ease tension in the body and mind
We will also offer you some tips on what to eat during your pregnancy, what type of exercise you can do, and how to get better sleep. You can expect to leave our prenatal massage centers feeling restored, relaxed, and content in your pregnant body!
