My name is Latissa Graham and I am a HypnoDoula and have been a Licensed Massage Therapist for 10 years. I graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 2009, and have been running my own business in my home since. 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 my massage and Hypnodoula services. I am a mother of two boys and two girls, and took Lauralyn’s hypnobirthing class and had wonderful births utilizing those techniques through my medicated, un-medicated, surgical and VBAC births. 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 and Labor Stimulation massage - 60 minute $75 and $90
Postpartum massage and Organ placement, including infant massage instruction - $110
Postpartum Massage and Organ placement only - $95