Prenatal/Postnatal Massage
Studies show that regular massage during pregnancy reduces muscle and joint aches and pains, anxiety, depression, and improves labor outcomes. Prenatal massage has been shown to:
- Reduce swelling
- Reduce nerve pain
- Reduce back pain
- Reduce muscle tension
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve sleep habits
- Improve circulation
- Improve labor outcomes
I perform this massage with the mother in sidelying position, with the support of pregnancy cushions for optimum comfort in this position. During the massage, I focus on common areas of tension that occur during pregnancy, along with any areas the mother requests. The first few weeks of postpartum can be very challenging and painful as adjustments are made to meet the needs of a newborn. It can be difficult to feed, change diapers, lose sleep, remembering to eat and drink, all while the mothers body is trying to heal. With the sudden drop in hormones, the mother may experience stress, anxiety, and depression. Postnatal massage can calm the mother and aid her body in returning to balance. Postnatal massage can help:
- Speed recovery
- Speed healing
- Decrease neck/shoulder pain from carrying baby
- Return uterus to pre-pregnancy size
- Support healthy lactation
- Reduce postpartum depression
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve energy
- Balance hormones
A happy mom leads to a happy baby! Massage Doula Services
Women need a lot of support during the labor process. Labor can be the most intense event that a woman goes through. A massage doula supports the mother physically (non-medical), emotionally, and informatively. Having a massage doula present has been shown to:
- Shorten labor with fewer complications
- Increase positive feelings when remembering the birth
- Reduce the need for synthetic hormones and pain killers
- Reduce the use of forceps or vacuum extraction
- Reduce cesareans
- Improve the mothers ability to cope with the intensity of labor naturally
- Dramatically increase the odds of a natural labor
- Help the mother feel empowered
- Improve breastfeeding success
- Decrease postpartum depression
- Be more successful adapting to newborns needs
- Improve the health of the baby
Why have a Massage Doula? A Massage Doula has extensive knowledge of anatomy and has the ability to locate and relieve tensed muscles throughout the body. Additionally, those trained in acupressure are able to help with pain relief and the progression of labor. Because of the background a Massage Doula has in massage therapy, the human body is very familiar and she knows common areas of chronic stress and tension. The more relaxed a mother remains through labor, the quicker and less intense labor will be, the less likely baby will go into distress, and the less likely to need interventions. You will get one prenatal massage and one postnatal massage when hiring. What does having a Massage Doula during labor look like? A Massage Doula will look for areas of tension in the body between and during contractions, followed by massage to those areas between contractions. The mother will be reminded to also let these areas go and to relax and breathe. During contractions, pressure will be applied to acupoints to help with pain and progression of labor; hip joints will be supported in such a way to relieve pain as baby moves down. During the whole birthing process, the Massage Doula will offer words of encouragement and empowerment. The mother will be reminded to drink fluids regularly to avoid dehydration. In the event that some type of intervention is needed or the mother or father is curious, the Massage Doula will provide them with information they need to make an educated and informed decision. Different laboring positions will be suggested should the mother need it. The mother can tailor this experience to however she would like. This information will be discussed in a prenatal visit. Placenta Encapsulation
Placenta encapsulation is not a new idea. It has been a part of Chinese Medicine for centuries. It is has been gaining popularity in the United States in recent years, with more and more women choosing to use their placenta to improve their health postpartum. Studies show that placentas contain many vital nutrients including iron, protein, vitamin B6, and hormones. After birth, mothers can be lacking and unbalanced in these nutrients. Following birth, it can take a while for the mother’s body to return to balance. During this time is when the “baby blues” come about. It has been reported that over 80% of mothers suffer from some form of postpartum depression. It is hard for a mother to know if she will suffer from postpartum depression until she has it. A common treatment for this depression is anti-depressants. Unfortunately, these drugs can pass through the breast milk to the baby. Often, mothers feel they are only left with two choices, stop breastfeeding or suffer through the depression. However, the placenta may offer a natural way to combat postpartum depression with little to no side effects. In addition to postpartum depression, women have reported that ingesting placenta has helped with:
- Increasing milk supply
- Stopping or slowing hemorrhaging
- Speeding healing time
- Increasing energy
- Returning the uterus to pre-pregnancy size
- PMS or Menopause symptoms in the future
- Shortening postpartum bleeding
- Increasing iron levels that can be low after birth
- Insomnia or sleep problems
The TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Method is used to prepare the placenta. The TCM way is done by steaming the placenta with lemon and ginger, dehydrating, grinding into powder form, and then encapsulating with V caps. Raw encapsulation is available upon request. Raw encapsulation is done by dehydrating on a very low temperature, grinding into powder form, and then encapsulating with V caps. Tinctures are also made with Vodka and are available after 6 weeks, just about the time capsules are running low. Materials are used that are dedicated only to placenta preparation, and can be thoroughly disinfected or disposed of. Cleanliness and disinfection is done according to OSHA BBP standards. If a mother wants her placenta encapsulated, the placenta needs to be put on ice or refrigerated as soon as possible after birth, within at least 2-3 hours. In general, the sooner the encapsulation is done, the better. If the placenta cannot be encapsulated within 2-3 days, it needs to be double bagged in freezer bags and placed into freezer. It is wise to keep the placenta after birth and freeze it, even if the mother is sure she doesn’t want it. She may quickly change her mind if she finds herself suffering. In the event she did not keep the placenta, she has lost it as an option. If she has kept the placenta, she can use it, or toss it if she determines she does not need it. The point is to have many options available, since it is not possible to predict what will happen after birth. Placenta Keepsakes
Placenta prints are also available whether you choose to encapsulate or not. It’s done by positioning the placenta and cord in the desired shape, and then a piece of thick art paper is pressed against it. This then captures the “tree of life” image. The umbilical cord can also be preserved. The cord is positioned into the desired shape, usually a heart, spiral, or ring. It is then dehydrated and preserved indefinitely. The amniotic membrane can also be dried to paper as a remembrance of the baby's first "home." If you are interested in any of these services, please contact me! This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
