Pregnancy can trigger various unpleasant complaints for pregnant women. Massage for pregnant women can be done as a way to relieve discomfort and make pregnant women feel relaxed.
When a woman is pregnant, there will be some pressure that can be felt, especially in the area of the abdominal muscles, neck, back, and shoulders. Not only that, the weight is increasing, making many pregnant women complain of pain in the lower back and changes in posture because the position of the pelvis is moving forward. To make pregnancy feel more comfortable, massage for pregnant women can be an activity choice me time that fits.
Based on Scientific Evidence
In general, research shows the benefits of massage for the average person, including relieving pain and possibly increasing the performance of the immune system. Other studies have found that massage may be beneficial in reducing back pain, headaches, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation.
Meanwhile, research aimed specifically at knowing the benefits of massage for pregnant women is still very limited. However, a study suggests that massage for pregnant women may have a variety of positive benefits including lowering tension and stress hormone levels, easing back and leg pain, improving mood while increasing feelings of happiness, and promoting better sleep.
It's just that, when you want to do massage pregnant women should pay attention to gestational age first. For pregnant women who still experience nausea and vomiting, you should avoid this treatment first.
It is recommended that pregnant women massage starting after 12 weeks of gestation or entering the second trimester. Then, avoid re-massaging pregnant women when the gestational age is getting closer to the time of delivery, which is 32 weeks and over. This is because massage may speed up the labor process.
Appropriate Massage Techniques
Generally, massage for pregnant women will last approximately one hour. Some spas or massage places specifically for pregnant women have special chairs or beds. Because, massage for pregnant women will usually be done in various positions, such as sitting, half lying, or lying to the side.
Masseurs for pregnant women are usually trained to understand which parts of the body are often uncomfortable. However, if pregnant women feel uncomfortable or feel certain body parts need extra massage, it is recommended to immediately notify the masseuse.
There are various types of massage for pregnant women, such as the traditional massage that presses deep into the muscles, or the Swedish massage with long pressures on active muscles and joints. In addition, a pregnancy massage technique that is also commonly found is Shiatsu, with pressure and massage on acupressure points to stimulate natural energy.
These various techniques are intended to improve the condition of the pregnant woman's body, such as preventing blood clots in the legs due to the increased blood flow experienced by pregnant women. Some masseurs will only touch the abdomen very lightly or not at all.
Although classified as safe, there are several things to remember when massage for pregnant women:
- Pregnant women need to immediately tell the masseuse if they feel pain or discomfort. Extra pillows may be able to help the pregnant woman's position to be more comfortable.
- Pay attention to the essential oils or aromatherapy used during the massage. Choose according to taste and ask again about the safety of the essential oil used.
- As much as possible avoid treatments that use heat, such as saunas, hot tubs, or steam baths. If you still want to, make sure the temperature of the water or room is no more than 32 degrees Celsius to avoid overheating.
Pay attention to gestational age before doing massage for pregnant women. Then, choose a location and a competent and experienced masseuse. If you have special medical conditions during pregnancy, you should first consult with your obstetrician.
