“The experience of pregnancy, giving birth and being a mother is one of the most transformative events in a woman’s life. It is a period of dramatic structural, physiological, spiritual and social change. The stress of these changes can lead to a number of challenges.” --Michele Kolakowski

Prenatal Massage: Prenatal Massage can help facilitate a smooth transition into motherhood by decreasing stress hormone levels, reducing maternal anxiety, improving sleep quality, alleviating tension in the back, hips, legs and feet, reducing swelling in the hands and feet, increasing the secretion of prolactin, and decreasing complications in labor. After your first trimester, you will comfortably relax on your side or semi-reclined while you and your baby are supported by an array of specially designed pillows. You will enjoy and benefit from techniques specifically designed to relieve the discomfort associated with shifts in posture and increased weight bearing. Prenatal massage provides a wonderful time for you to bond with your baby and experience your pregnant form with acceptance, compassion and awe.

Baby benefits too! Because massage techniques increase the flow of nutrient-rich blood to the placenta during and following a massage, the baby receives extra nourishment and enjoys the soothing effects of calming and pain-reducing hormones released by the mother. In addition, medical science has concluded that the fetus feels, responds and benefits from touch at 7-weeks; therefore a prenatal massage provides a relaxing and nourishing experience for both mother and baby.

Labor and delivery: Therapeutic Massage during labor provides valuable physical and emotional support. It has been shown to alleviate strain to joints, ligaments and muscles and may decrease the length of labor and the use of medical intervention.

Postpartum: After delivery, a woman looks forward to the day when her body is free of swelling and discomfort, and healthy spinal alignment is restored. Regardless of the type of delivery, Therapeutic Massage is an important tool for facilitating the healing process. It helps to rehabilitate the abdominal muscles, reduces feelings of depression and exhaustion, and releases muscle strain due to labor or the added physical requirements of caring for a newborn or toddler.

Mom…you deserve it!