Pregnancy massage

General health or (if necessary) therapeutic massage when planning pregnancy can and should certainly be done.

But women who have already implemented this plan (i.e. are carrying a child) are interested in whether it is possible to do massage during pregnancy? And if so, what type of this procedure will be beneficial.

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Massage and pregnancy: what is allowed and what is not

The unanimous opinion of obstetricians and gynecologists: almost any massage in the early stages of pregnancy is considered an absolutely contraindicated procedure, since it is in the first trimester that many miscarriages occur.

You can only do a light cosmetic facial massage during pregnancy - along classic massage lines, and to relieve headaches - massage your temples and scalp. But it is not a fact that this will help, because the female body during pregnancy often reacts unpredictably to ordinary actions...

Let's not forget that the hormonal restructuring of a woman's body during this period affects almost all systems - from the endocrine to the musculoskeletal. And everything that can destabilize or disrupt this complex process must be abandoned without any doubt. Especially if the pregnancy was given to the woman at a high price: long-term hormone therapy, previous breakdowns, etc.

In domestic obstetric practice, contraindications to massage for expectant mothers are recognized as: individual characteristics of the condition of a particular woman, toxicosis, acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections in pregnant women, as well as arterial hypertension, varicose veins in the legs, dermatological diseases and problems with the cardiovascular system.

From a scientific standpoint, the mechanisms by which massage works are still largely unknown. Although research from the University of Miami School of Medicine suggests that massage therapy during pregnancy (prenatal massage) may have some positive effects, including reduced anxiety and relaxation, improved mood and sleep, and reduced back and leg pain. It is suggested that massage may increase levels of hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, while decreasing levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).

Safety and comfort for the mother and child are ensured by the correct body position: during the massage, the pregnant woman should be half-lying on her side, and the stomach should be supported with a pillow or a special bolster (massage tables with a “hole” for the stomach, as gynecologists say, are completely unsuitable).

Secondly, during the gestation period, some massage techniques cannot be used, for example, working on deep muscles, accepted in classical massage, or Thai massage during pregnancy, in the list of contraindications of which pregnancy is at the top. Lymphatic drainage massage during pregnancy, which promises to get rid of cellulite, edema and even varicose veins, is also contraindicated.

Thirdly, certain areas of the body should be avoided: pressure on the wrists and ankles can cause contraction of the uterine muscles!

There is no need for a special breast massage during pregnancy: in the mammary glands, under the influence of hormones prolactin and lactogen, there is an increase in glandular tissue, the number and size of alveoli and milk ducts. A light massage can be done during bathing - with rotational movements of both hands around the chest. But the areola and nipple should not be touched. Even a light touch to this erogenous zone, not to mention a nipple massage during pregnancy, causes contraction of the muscle tissue of the uterus, increasing its tone.

The use of massage oils and creams - despite the manufacturers' claims of their complete safety - is unacceptable, since they contain too many "auxiliary substances", including parabens. In addition, their smell can cause headaches, nausea and vomiting in pregnant women.

Anti-cellulite massage during pregnancy

Many expectant mothers develop cellulite during pregnancy, and this worries them a lot and causes fears that it will not go away after childbirth. It may not go away, but gynecologists warn that doing anti-cellulite massage during pregnancy is not only contraindicated, but also useless. Changes in the structure of the subcutaneous fat layer - gynoid lipodystrophy or cellulite - occur for many reasons and more often with the general negative influence of metabolic and hormonal factors. In any case, it will not be possible to force the stretched collagen fibers, which should tightly hold the subcutaneous fat cells in the thighs and buttocks, to contract during pregnancy.

Hormonal changes in the body of pregnant women (excess estrogen) and hereditary factors (specialists from the American Academy of Dermatology see a genetic predisposition to cellulite) and, of course, weight gain during pregnancy (see - How not to gain weight during pregnancy ) all play a role here.

Contraindications also apply to such a variety as vacuum cupping massage during pregnancy. And if you are told that honey massage during pregnancy is possible and that it will help you reduce the "orange peel" on your thighs, do not believe them. Although beauty salons promise that intense pressing movements on problem areas smeared with warm honey give a good "anti-cellulite effect". Perhaps this massage helps someone, but for pregnant women such a procedure will only increase the blood flow to the subcutaneous capillaries and increase the pressure on their walls.

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Foot massage during pregnancy

Swelling of the legs, as well as the appearance of subcutaneous vascular mesh on the legs (on the calves, under the knees, on the feet near the ankles) are also related to problems that accompany pregnancy. So, maybe here you can use a foot massage during pregnancy?

Skilled massage therapists adapt basic massage techniques to the specific changes that occur in a pregnant woman's body. For example, blood volume increases by a third during pregnancy, blood flow from the veins of the legs often weakens (leading to stagnation), and the level of anticoagulants in the blood (designed to prevent bleeding during childbirth) increases. In addition, the walls of all blood vessels relax.

Under such conditions, massage, especially deep massage with strong squeezing and tapping, is simply dangerous. Therefore, massaging the legs should be done with very light and slow strokes - only from the bottom up. At the same time, you cannot massage the ankles and inner thighs, as well as areas where dilated blood vessels have appeared. By the way, with symptoms of varicose veins, doctors recommend that pregnant women wear medical compression hosiery and sleep with a small pillow under their feet. And the best foot massage during pregnancy is to walk barefoot on sand or small pebbles, on grass or just on the floor in the apartment.

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Back, Lower Back and Neck Massage During Pregnancy

As the term increases, pregnant women begin to experience back pain in the lumbar region. Many people think that it is all about the increase in the belly. But these pains are associated with the fact that during the period of bearing a child, the production of the hormone relaxin increases, which prepares the woman's musculoskeletal system for the upcoming birth, increasing the mobility of the pelvic girdle joints and relaxing the ligaments of the spinal column, causing the vertebrae to shift slightly. This is the reason for nagging back pain.

Back massage during pregnancy consists of stroking movements (from the lower back to the shoulder blades), soft rubbing (on both sides of the spine). There is no need to rub the spine itself.

Massage of the lower back during pregnancy is performed by lightly pressing (followed by rubbing) on the short lateral and middle interspinous intertransverse muscles of the lumbar region of the back. It is better to do this standing or sitting, no more than 3 minutes - 2-3 times a day.

Neck massage during pregnancy is done according to the same principle, it can relieve not only pain in the cervical spine, but also headaches and even back pain. Often after a long stay in a sitting position or after sleep (especially if the woman sleeps on a high pillow), pregnant women get a "numb neck". A light massage of the collar zone during pregnancy will help to disperse the blood and remove unpleasant sensations. It is done by stroking and then lightly kneading the muscles on the lateral surfaces of the neck - from the spine to the trapezius muscles. And massage therapists advise kneading the trapezius muscles (which cover the back of the neck and the upper back) with your fingers, as if you were going to pinch yourself.

Abdominal massage during pregnancy

The American Pregnancy Association strongly advises against abdominal massage during pregnancy, and our obstetricians agree with them. Although you can find the statement on the Internet that “after four months, abdominal massage for pregnant women is most recommended.”

They say that such a massage (we quote): “reduces morning sickness in women, activates the digestive organs and reduces stomach acidity, reduces the risk of stretch marks and increases muscle tone”... The truth is only in the increase in muscle tone, but such a reflex effect should be avoided by a pregnant woman in every possible way.

You can only gently and tenderly stroke the rounded belly and at the same time talk affectionately to the one who is developing there. This is very useful - both for the mother and for the child.

Perineal massage during pregnancy

Western trends can explain the interest in such a procedure as perineal massage during pregnancy, which is "used to stretch the perineal skin and prepare the perineal area for childbirth." It is recommended to first apply a warm compress to the perineal area and lubricate the perineum and the index and middle fingers with vegetable oil. Then the fingers are inserted into the vagina to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm), pressing down and stretching to the sides is done (and held for about two minutes).

It is claimed that such prenatal massage helps prevent perineal tears during childbirth and avoid perineotomy (cutting the skin of the perineum).

Obviously, the inventors of this massage do not know that the perineal area, as part of the pubococcygeus muscle of the pelvic floor, in addition to the skin, has several layers of striated muscles, and the described manipulations cannot affect them in any way. But it is possible to introduce an infection, cause a spasm of the myometrium, tone the uterus and end up in the maternity ward ahead of time.

After giving birth, it is necessary to do a post-pregnancy massage: it will help speed up the recovery of the young mother's body to the "pre-pregnancy" state, relieve muscle pain and relax. It is clear that at first, the main efforts will be directed to the stomach. You should consult about how to massage it correctly while still in the maternity hospital.