Some of the effects of pregnancy are over within hours of giving
birth. Others might linger for weeks, months or even for the rest of your life. My goal as a massage therapist working with
a postpartum client is to decrease her stress levels, alleviate the physical discomforts that remain after pregnancy,
and help the new mother adjust to her post-pregnancy body.
Every pregnancy and birth is unique. And every woman faces different challenges as she recovers
from the experience. Most women endure some degree of low back pain because their abdominal muscles, which help to support
the lumbar spine, have not yet regained their strength. Many women suffer from gastrointestinal problems after labor
and delivery, including constipation. Women who choose to breastfeed might experience neck, back or shoulder pain, from
sitting in one position for long stretches of time. Whether a woman is nursing or not, she might have painful breast
engorgement. These are issues that can be alleviated with postpartum massage.
In addition to these problems, some women may be recovering from a Cesarean; for them, massage
can help to produce a healthy, pliable scar that will have minimal impact on the body's ability to move and function.
Along with the physical issues of recovering from pregnancy and birth, there are psychological
issues as well. Postpartum "blues" and depression can occur at any time during the year after a baby is born. And many new
mothers feel overwhelmed by their new responsibilities, stressed out--and guilty at the idea of taking time for themselves.
Massage can be a wonderful, healthy way to help a new mother de-stress, so that
she can be her best self for her family. And by bringing massage to her home, Gravida Massage removes the issue of feeling
guilty or anxious about leaving a new baby. In fact, you can hold or even nurse your baby during your massage!
