Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy takes your body on an incredible journey. My pregnancy massage offers a restful experience for mothers to enjoy, while their body is adapting to the increasing changes. Pregnancy massage targets muscle tension, assists with the movement of fluid around the body, promotes sleep, and allows Mum to enjoy some time to focus on herself. This full body massage helps Mum relax comfortably while supported by pillows and cushions, and in a safe position. A beautiful combination of gentle but firm rhythmic strokes are used along with a specially formulated pregnancy massage balm.

Further guidance

Motherhood is a wonderful privilege that has sparked my interest in pregnancy massage. After completing my Certificate in Pregnancy Massage, I now provide treatments for mothers from their 12 week scan and onwards. Specialist training has given me knowledge about all of the risks associated with pregnancy massage and so I can ensure the best safety recommendations for Mum and baby. 

Prior to the first massage, I undertake a thorough assessment and ask that Mum checks with her midwife if massage is appropriate for them. If you have been diagnosed as having a high risk pregnancy you will need written approval from your GP. If you have any of the following illnesses/issues, I encourage you to seek further guidance from your GP and midwife before proceeding with a booking.

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Pre-eclampsia
• Bleeding
• Severe morning sickness
• Multiple pregnancy losses
• Blood clotting disorders
• Cardiac disorders

Your first appointment will be 15 minutes longer to allow additional time for the initial assessment. Follow up appointments are either 60 or 90 minutes.

If you are less than 12 weeks and would like a massage please call me first to discuss. Although massage is safe in the first trimester, this is a vulnerable stage of pregnancy and it is important that any activities that you undertake are done so with consideration.

Post Natal Massage

In order to offer my pregnancy clients a full service I have undertaken a Certificate in Post Natal Massage to be able to continue treatments after the birth of their child. The post natal period can be a wonderful time of getting to know your baby and all that motherhood entails. However, it is also a time where your body is readjusting to its pre-pregnancy posture and your muscles, ligaments and tendons need to realign and rebalance themselves. This is a slow process and your body knows what it needs to do but it massage can help ease tension and help you to reconnect with your body. Alongside this process your body is also dealing with the demands of feeding and caring for a tiny human which involves a lot of sitting, carrying, looking down and lack of sleep. This places a lot of strain on your back, shoulders and neck and it is common for new mothers to suffer tension in these areas. Post natal massage is gentle yet firm and focuses on the areas that each mother is feeling tension. Post natal massage can be undertaken with you lying on your stomach again, usually with a pillow to support your pelvis, lying on your back or on your side.

Post Natal massage is safe from soon after birth, and for many cultures daily massage is part of their post party recovery. However, I encourage women to take time after the birth of their baby to recover from labour and care for themselves and their baby. Having a new baby is such a busy time and weeks can disappear very easily. If you would like to come for a massage within the first 6 weeks please check with your midwife first especially if you had a caesarian or were deemed a high risk pregnancy (see above for what is deemed ‘high risk’). I do a thorough initial assessment at the first appointment to ensure the massage is tailored to your needs.

Some factors that you need to check with your midwife first:

• high blood pressure
• heavy bleeding
• heat or swelling in the calves
• redness, swelling, infection in the caesarian scar or perineal stitches
• painful or heat in breasts