During pregnancy you experience many changes to your body but also your emotional state is also going to fluctuate rather a lot. You have different stresses and strains and a new baby to prepare for and a specifically tailored pregnancy massage can often be a help.
Pregnancy massage or prenatal massage is specifically tailored to relieve the stress and strain, aches and pains that many expectant mothers will experience during their pregnancy. It can help to reduce the fluid retention that commonly builds up in the arms and legs, also it can soothe the back ache which may occur as the pregnancy progresses, pregnancy massage can also just be a bit of time out for a mum to be to relax and destress.
Along with general aches and back pain some expectant mothers also experience Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphosis Pubis Disorder (SPD) which, in simple terms, is where the ligaments in the pelvis have become more flexible due to the change in hormones in the body. This can the cause the pelvis to become over mobile which can cause pain, which in turn can then cause the muscles in the pelvic area to over tighten to compensate. This pain can range from a mild ache, to sciatica (piriformis syndrome), to quite severe pain and associated trouble walking.
Pregnancy massage can be of great help in alleviating symptoms and pain and keeping you moving, but as with all pregnancy conditions it is advisable that you firstly get in touch with your midwife who can have the condition assessed and see what treatment may be needed.
Pregnancy massage is carried out on the massage table in a side laying position, you will be fully supported with bolsters and pillows so you are fully relaxed and comfortable, pressure will be tailored to suit you, so you will finish the treatment feeling fully unwound, destressed and recovered muscles.
As with all treatments I can offer a mobile massage service, traveling to all areas of Cardiff and the Vale to carry out your pregnancy massage, or I can carry out your treatment in a conveiently located clinic in central Cardiff.
As long as all is stable during your pregnancy then massage is safe from the 1st trimester all the way through, some therapists will not massage you unless you are into your second trimester of pregnancy due to the slight increase in the chance of miscarriage, but there is no real evidence to show that massage would cause a problem. But if unsure just have a chat with your doctor or midwife to confirm that you can go ahead with a massage treatment.
I mostly perform treatments with you undressed down to your underwear, you will be fully covered with sheets and I only uncover the part of the body I am working on during your massage. But if you would rather remain clothed during your pregnancy massage then this is also an option as I want you to be able to relax fully.
Your massage will be tailored to suit you, but usually pregnancy massage is most comfortable when you are lying on your side, you will be propped up with bolsters and pillows so you are able to relax.
If your pregnancy is classed as high risk or you are suffering from any health conditions then it may be that pregnancy massage won't be suitable for you. Check with your doctor or midwife if you need to find out if this is the case. Other than that pregnancy massage is completely safe.
Pregnancy massage can help with many of the physical ailments that you can suffer from during pregnancy such as back ache, neck ache, fluid retention, tiredness, carpal tunnel syndrome, SPD, etc. Ans it's also great if you just need a little bit of TLC before your new arrival.
You can have a pregnancy massage as often as you would like or need one. I tend to find that towards the end of a pregnancy ladies often come more regularly due to being more uncomfortable. So it's a matter of listening to your body and use call when you need me.
I just use a grape seed oil during pregnancy massage, certain essential oils are perfectly safe to use during pregnancy but for peace of mind for all my clients I just keep it simple with a nice skin conditioning base oil.
Again this mainly depends on you and your body, you may feel ready for a postnatal massage witching days whereas other ladies may feel they need a little more time before they are ready for a massage. Also if you have had a c section then you will need to wait six weeks for your scar to heal properly.
My aim is to provide you with the treatment that is right for you and gives you the results you need. Therefore when it comes to booking it is essential that I speak to you to personally. All email enquiries will be answered and followed with a phonecall so we can talk about your requiremnets and discuss a booking that suits you.