Expecting a little one? Congratulations! Pregnancy can be a wonderful yet challenging time for many women. From morning sickness and back pain to swelling and insomnia, it's common to experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms. But did you know that there's a simple solution that can help alleviate many of these discomforts and support a healthy pregnancy?

Prenatal massage is a specialized type of massage that focuses on the specific needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. Not only can it help reduce stress and improve sleep, but it has also been shown to positively impact labor outcomes. In fact, studies have demonstrated that prenatal massage can even shorten labor by an average of three hours! Keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of this pregnancy superpower. 

The benefits of prenatal massage

So, we all know that prenatal massage is a fantastic way to find relief from pregnancy aches and pains. But as it turns out, it can offer a whole range of other benefits for both you and your little one.

1.     Balances hormones. Prenatal massage involves the use of light to moderate pressure and long strokes to relax muscles and stimulate the production of endorphins, which can help regulate stress hormones and promote a sense of relaxation and well-being. It can also improve circulation and reduce muscle tension, helping to create a more balanced and healthy hormonal environment for both you and your baby during pregnancy.

2.     Reduces swelling. Edema, or swelling of the joints, is a common pregnancy symptom caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels. Massage can stimulate circulation and help reduce swelling, making it a natural and effective way to find relief.

3.     Improves labor outcomes. Regular prenatal massage therapy has been shown in multiple studies to reduce labor pain, lower the rate of prematurity, and even shorten the length of labor by an average of 3 hours. This is because massage helps to lower stress levels and keep muscles relaxed, creating optimal conditions for a successful delivery.

4.     Improves mood and decreases symptoms of pre-and postnatal depression and anxiety. Pregnancy and childbirth can be overwhelming, and it's not uncommon to experience feelings of depression or anxiety. However, massage can help alleviate some of these symptoms. By promoting the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, massage can boost your mood and improve your overall well-being.

5.     Reduces nerve pain. During pregnancy, the growing uterus can put pressure on the pelvic floor and lower back muscles, leading to swelling and tension in the upper and lower leg muscles. This tension can then put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain. Massage therapy can help alleviate this tension in the muscles, relieving the inflamed nerves and resulting pain.

6.     Improves sleep. Sleep problems are common during pregnancy, with hormonal changes and, later, physical discomfort harming your sleep cycles. Massage helps by increasing the production of serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep, in the brain. This, in turn, leads to the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps you fall asleep and stay asleep.

7.     Reduces pain. Massage has been shown to effectively reduce aches and pains, including chronic pain. And during pregnancy, massage can be a highly successful way to alleviate common discomforts such as lower back pain and migraines. This may be due to the activation of large nerve fibers during massage, which can alter pain perception and inhibit the transmission of pain messages to the brain.

Massage is more than just an indulgence during pregnancy - it's an important tool for maintaining your overall health and well-being. From increased energy and improved circulation to relief from common pregnancy discomforts, the benefits of massage are numerous. So don't hesitate to add massage to your self-care routine during this special time; your body and mind - And your little one - will thank you!

Book an in-home prenatal massage today