I was recently reading an article in Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies about massage benefits for the unborn. The article basically stated that receiving regular pre-natal massage not only benefits the mother to be, but it also benefits the unborn child. Pre-natal massage relieves discomfort, eases pain and reduces stress. The article also stated that anything a pregnant woman does to or for herself she also does to and for her unborn child. Good or bad, healthy or unhealthy, whatever activity she participates in, whatever food she eats, how she acts, thinks and feels – all are transmitted in one way or another to the baby.
Research conducted with both adults and children show that massage therapy reduces stress hormones, increases endorphin and serotonin levels, relaxes muscles and promotes a state of well-being. Massage also helps to improve blood and lymph circulation bringing in oxygen and nutrients, resulting in better nourishment and greater viability to the unborn child.
If the mother is stressed or experiences some sort of trauma, the unborn child has been shown to respond and react to the increase in cortisol (a stress hormone), the muscle tension and the emotional anxiety. The baby’s heart rate can double when the mother is frightened or upset. If this stress goes unresolved, or lasts an extended period of time, both the mother and child may experience long-lasting symptoms. Likewise, if massage is given to an expectant mother, she receives the benefits of relaxation and a balancing of emotions, and passes them on to her unborn child as cortisol and endorphin levels are brought into balance. (Source: Institute for Integrative Healthcare Studies).
Pre-natal massages are generally given after the 1st trimester throughout the duration of the pregnancy. I recommend a monthly massage up to the 32nd week and every other week thereafter. Schedule a pre-natal massage today to benefit not only mommy, but baby too.
Be Well!
Brigitte Rawlings, LMT
