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It's 2 a.m. The dog is snoring. I've rolled over for the 20th time. I try to sit up, only to become frustrated. I cannot move and I feel as if the breath is being crushed out of me. I try to maneuver myself upright, but all my squirming is to no avail. I realize I need help; it's time to wake the husband. He groggily looks at me and says, "Are you OK? Are you sick?" I answer with frustration, "No, it's just the benefits of being in my third trimester."
Although pregnancy is a beautiful experience, the physical, emotional and hormonal changes can be a challenge. The weight gain isn't really a problem and I actually enjoyed the whole process--except for the swelling feet, of course. Years later as I explained this to a friend, she asked if I had ever tried a prenatal massage. A bit stunned, I exclaimed, "You mean, you can get a massage when you're pregnant?"
Prenatal massage is not only a great way to get pampered, but it also has many added benefits. According to www.americanpregnancy.org, Swedish massage is the recommended prenatal massage method because it addresses common discomforts associated with skeletal and circulatory changes induced by hormone shifts during pregnancy. Other benefits of prenatal massage include improved digestion and sleep, reduced foot swelling and general anxiety, and even healthier newborns.
"Many professionals consider the best position for a pregnant woman during massage is side-lying," say researchers at American Pregnancy. "Tables that provide a hole in which the uterus can fit may not be reliable and can still apply pressure to the abdomen, or allow the abdomen to dangle, causing uncomfortable stretching of the uterine ligaments."
Women can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy; however, some facilities will refuse to offer massage to a woman who is still in her first trimester because of the increased risk of miscarriage. Although a professionally trained prenatal massage therapist will provide appropriate council, confirm a prenatal pain and stress management program with your doctor.
