On a physiological level, our bodies change so drastically so quickly as we go through the process of bringing a baby into this world, that it is no wonder we are met with a variety of aches and pains, and that our bodies can feel foreign to us. Our ligaments, joints, muscles and skin are all being pulled and stretched and strained, and we experience an imbalance between them all. It is important to help the body transition, and relax, and strengthen what is weak and tired so that we can relieve the pain caused from the imbalance.
Touch is very powerful. The right touch can be the ultimate healer, more powerful than any drug. It can be the difference between life and death.Truthfully, we cannot live without touch. No drug can substitute it. I see dramatic, real life changes in my client's quality of life every day, and they are healthier inside and out. It only makes sense to use massage during the most physically challenging and changing thing we will ever go through.
Some benefits of pregnancy and labor massage include:
- Helps control blood pressure
- Helps relieve nausea, constipation and indigestion
- Helps reduce swelling and edema and increases circulation
- Increases flow of nutrients to the placenta
- Relieves leg pains and cramps
- Opens chest for deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing
- Strengthens the immune system
- Directly affects the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and its consequences for mother and baby
- Alleviates anxiety and depression
- Strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery
- Allows for deeper breathing and a better night’s sleep
- Maintains body posture and balance
- Reduce labor time, labor pain, and even technical intervention
- Shortens hospital stay
- Reduces postpartum depression
A laboring woman's back in particular can get extremely sore, and a good rub can make a world of difference. The back pain can be more intense than the contractions - this has been named 'back labor', and occurs in 25% of births. Usually the back pain is caused by baby being in the 'occput posterior position', in which baby's back is pushing against mom's spine. If your back is sore during childbirth, make sure you speak up, don't grin and bear it! It may mean you're experiencing 'back labor' and you need to change position onto your hands and knees to ease pressure on your spine, and receive a good back rub". - (http://naturalmamanz.blogspot.com)
Massage can also decrease labor time by keeping the body relaxed and therefore allowing the cervix to open without tension. Using the shoulder press and counterpressures creates a grounding feeling and an opposing force that counteracts the pressure from the surges. Also, using light-touch massage to create goosebumps confuses the nervous system and provides temporary relief and releases oxytocin, the body's natural pain reliever. Focusing on the head, neck, back and arms using a sweeping motion with your fingers will create this effect. There are also acupressure points that, when held, can decrease pain. This is only released when a woman feels relaxed and safe, and so therefore having a calm, quiet and relaxing atmosphere are integral to achieving this wonderful natural drug.
My name is Latissa Marie Graham and I have been a Certified Hypnodoula in the Curtis Method for 4 years, and have been a Licensed Massage Therapist for 9 years. I graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy and I received certification in the following from Claire Marie Miller AMTA Registered and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist
Nurturing the Mother Pregnancy Massage,
Labor Massage and Support
Postpartum Massage
Infant Massage
Reflexology for Pregnancy and Childbirth
Nurturing the Pregnant Couple Yoga and Massage.
Since then, I have worked on many pregnant and postpartum women who have benefited from massage and doula services
I am a mother of two boys and two girls, and took Lauralyn Curtis's Hypnobirthing class and had wonderful births utilizing those techniques. I believe in empowering women with the knowledge of all the many options available to the pregnant mother. I believe that touch is vital to healing, and is incredibly powerful in aiding relaxation and alleviating pain and discomfort.
On a physiological level, our bodies change so drastically so quickly as we go through the process of bringing a baby into this world, that it is no wonder we are met with a variety of aches and pains, and that our bodies can feel foreign to us. Our ligaments, joints, muscles and skin are all being pulled and stretched and strained, and we experience an imbalance between them all. It is important to help the body transition, and relax, and strengthen what is weak and tired so that we can relieve the pain caused from the imbalance. Touch is very powerful. The right touch can be the ultimate healer, more powerful than any drug. It can be the difference between life and death.Truthfully, we cannot live without touch. No drug can substitute it. I see dramatic, real life changes in my client's quality of life every day, and they are healthier inside and out. It only makes sense to use massage during the most physically challenging and changing thing we will ever go through.
Some benefits of pregnancy and labor massage include:
Helps control blood pressure
Helps relieve nausea, constipation and indigestion
Helps reduce swelling and edema and increases circulation
Increases flow of nutrients to the placenta
Relieves leg pains and cramps
Opens chest for deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing
Strengthens the immune system
Directly affects the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and its consequences for mother and baby
Alleviates anxiety and depression
Strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery
Allows for deeper breathing and a better night’s sleep
Maintains body posture and balance
Reduce labor time, labor pain, and even technical intervention
Shortens hospital stay
Reduces postpartum depression
Some benefits of postpartum massage include:
Supports and enhances the realigning process, with a focus on the pelvis and ribs
Assists breastfeeding, alleviating tightness
Aids in the process of the uterus returning to its normal size
Helps relieve tension from the birth process
Helps the mother regain vital energy (chi) to help reduce fatigue
Supports fluid balancing
Encourages pelvic and abdominal organs to return to pre-pregnant positions
Some benefits of infant massage:
Aids in bonding process between parent and child
Increases communication skills through touch
Alleviates digestive discomfort (colic)
Supports the growth of nerve pathways
Enhances sleep
Nurturing the Mother packages:
Prenatal massage - 60 minute $65, 90 min $95
Labor Stimulation Massage - $75
Out call Postpartum Massage with Organ Placement and Infant Massage Instruction - $150
Professional Massage and HypnoDoula service $1,100
Includes 2 prenatal visits, 1 chair massage with fear release, 24/7 on call support from 37 weeks until you deliver, continuous labor support up to 2 hours post delivery, 1 postpartum visit including postpartum massage with organ placement and infant massage instruction.
Contact information:
Website: http://healingpoweroftouch.blogspot.com
Phone: 801-616-9925
Email: latissa.graham@yahoo.com