- Types of massages for pregnant women
- Contraindications of massage in pregnancy
- Essential care during massage for pregnant women
- Ideal position for pregnant women to receive massage
The benefits of massage in pregnancy include decreased back and leg pain, increased skin hydration, contributes to the prevention of stretch marks, improves self-esteem, reduces stress and anxiety and even contributes to the fight against depression is therefore a good natural strategy to improve the quality of life of women in this phase 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 and can be harmful to the baby. Thus, it is best to perform only 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 indicated for pregnant women, which is the pelvic massage, which should only be performed in the final stage of pregnancy, by the woman or her partner, directly on the intimate and perineum region to prepare the body, increasing the flexibility of the pelvic muscles, encouraging normal delivery. This massage must be guided by a professional specialized in this method.
Contraindications of massage in pregnancy
There are cases where the pregnant woman cannot be massaged during pregnancy, as is the case of women with:
- Uncontrolled high pressure, because blood pressure can rise during the massage, Deep vein thrombosis because the thrombus can move and reach the heart or lung and Renal failure because excess fluids will be directed to the kidneys and if they are not efficient in filtration, can be injured.
Massages should also not be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy because at this stage the risk of the woman losing her baby is greater, and it is better not to risk it.
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, at least once or twice a week, so that the benefits can be achieved.
The following reflex points should not be stimulated: Median position between thumb and index finger, inner part 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 because it glides better on the skin, being more slowly absorbed than a regular 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 in pregnancy. Know some contraindicated plants during pregnancy that cannot be ingested, but that can also be harmful if they are absorbed by the skin.
Ideal position for pregnant women to receive massage
The essential thing is never to press the belly and therefore who has a special stretcher for pregnant women, which has an opening in the middle, has more advantage when it is necessary to treat the back, but if this stretcher is not accessible, one can resort to 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 face up
The woman should have her legs supported on a triangle-shaped cushion that allows her legs to be flexed, and her knees to be kept very high, because this prevents the increase of intra-abdominal pressure and provides greater comfort and support for the spine.. However, this position can slightly decrease the amount of oxygen that reaches the baby and therefore the woman should not be in that position for long.
The belly massage should be very gentle and should not last more than 2 minutes as it may favor uterine contraction.
To massage the neck, back and legs: Lying on your side or Sitting
It is more indicated that the woman is lying on the left side of the body during the massage and the pillows may be positioned under the head and between the legs, the body may be slightly tilted forward. Some pregnant women prefer not to support one leg on the other, but to leave the leg that is more over 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 the back and neck massage while sitting with your head and arms supported in another chair, as long as you can relax in that position.
