About Pregnancy Massage *

Massage can greatly alleviate some of the discomforts brought on by the body’s changes during pregnancy. Here are some of the physiological changes of pregnancy:

a) Uterus grows 5-6 times larger, 20 times heavier and 1000 times its normal capacity. This increase in size puts pressure on the other abdominal organs. The uterus in effect becomes an abdominal muscle. This also can affect respiration, digestion and elimination.

b) The pelvis tilts anteriorly due to weight of fetus. The lumbar spine is thereby compressed. This can create an exaggerated lordotic curve. There is an excessive strain on the sacroiliac joints. The woman’s head protracts to compensate for this shift in the pelvis, causing undue strain on the cervical vertebrae.

c) All weight bearing structures are compromised. The hormone relaxin is secreted. This causes instability in the entire skeletal structure as the ligaments soften to prepare for childbirth. The pubis symphysis may even separate. Legs laterally rotate at the hip joint, causing the hips to widen.

d) The uterine ligaments are strained from the increased size of the uterus and the presence of the relaxin, which allows the ligaments to stretch. This will affect other internal organs that are in proximity to the uterus, including the rectum and bladder, and may add to the woman's discomfort.

e) Foot arches collapse due to the increased weight of the fetus.

f) The mother to be will experience an emotional rollercoaster due to the hormonal changes in the body, changes in her body shape and its corresponding effect on her body image; fears and concerns of pregnancy, labor and parenthood; and perhaps even the effect of early memories of sexual abuse or trauma that may surface at this time and at postpartum. Nurturing touch, such as massage, can soothe some of the emotional turmoil.

If you are considering coming in for a massage and have any questions, please call me: 518-248-2488.

*The above information is transcribed from "Mother Massage: A Handbook For Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy" written by Elaine Stillerman, LMT, and published in 1992 by Dell Publishing and used by permission of the author.

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