Prenatal Massage:
Honoring the Mother To Be
Along with the pleasure of becoming pregnant may come a new awareness of body aches, changes in structural alignment and hormonal shifts. This may be why more women are discovering the comfort and relief prenatal massage can bring.
Prenatal massage has been practiced for centuries in many cultures throughout the world. One of the most commonly used and effective techniques is Swedish massage-- with its long gliding strokes and flowing rhythms.
Studies have shown that receiving massage during pregnancy can improve circulation, decrease anxiety, promote better sleep and reduce stress and pain during labor. It is also credited with keeping skin supple, preventing stretch marks, reducing swelling in the hands and feet and providing nurturing emotional support so the expectant mother can nurture her growing baby within.
Pregnancy is a unique time of transition in a woman's life and taking care of ones self is how she begins to provide for her unborn child. Baby enjoys the benefits of prenatal massage, too. As the mother becomes more relaxed, a hormone may be released that provides a sense of well being for both the mother and positively affecting the baby within the intrauterine environment.
Prenatal massage is safe for most, but it is important to check with your physician or midwife for any contraindications that may apply.
(650) 941-1248
"By the end of my massage (with Ruth), I may as well been the one floating in the womb..."
--Allure Magazine, 11/03Well-Being
Prenatal Massage Therapy
Ruth Stein, CMT
