The time following the birth of your baby is an important time for massage.
Women often know prenatal massage is a necessary part of a healthy pregnancy, but many women overlook the importance of postnatal massage. A postnatal massage provides emotional and physical assistance in the body’s natural recovery process. Remember, part of being a great mom is ensuring your own health is cared for as well as that of your newborn.
Benefits of postnatal massage:
- Hormone Regulation: The pregnancy hormones like estrogen and progesterone are high during pregnancy and reduce after delivery. Massage improves hormonal balances.
- Reduced Swelling of the Body: The fluids in your body increase by 50% during pregnancy. Massage helps in better circulation and drainage of the excess fluids.
- Improved Breastfeeding: Massage helps circulation and thereby increases milk production in new mothers. Relaxation of chest muscles improves lactation. It also relieves breast pain.
- Better Sleep: Massage eases fatigue and assists in sleeping. The body gets drained out after labour and caring for a newborn. A good massage helps heal the body. Massage also helps increase the brain waves which assist in sleep.
- Helps Anxiety and Depression: Some mothers experience what is called ‘postpartum blues’. This is a type of depression caused by the sudden new responsibilities, change in routine, and frustration due to these new changes in her life. Massage will relieve this stress.
- Pain Relief: A woman’s body undergoes immense pain and tear during the delivery. Massage heals the body and reduces body ache. Moreover, pain caused in arms and shoulders during breastfeeding also gets relieved.
When To Start Prenatal Massage:
To jump-start motherhood feeling happy and healthy, it is essential to continue your massage therapy sessions after the birth of your child and beyond. A 60 minute massage can work wonders giving new moms some quiet alone time that is dedicated to relaxing tense muscles and revitalizing mental and physical health.
Most postpartum doctor plans call for appointments a couple of weeks or so after the delivery of the baby. Aligning your postnatal massage sessions to follow your doctor’s appointments can make it easier to stick with a postnatal massage wellness plan.
A new mother can have a postnatal massage as soon as she feels comfortable. With normal delivery that could mean within anything from a few days to a few weeks of having your baby. In the case of delivery through C-section it is best to wait for the incision area to be healed. In both cases it is always recommended that you have your doctors approval, especially if there were any complications in delivery.
Overall, postnatal massage can be beneficial for helping your body recover from the pain and strain of growing a baby and giving birth.
Besides the physical aspects, massage can give your mind a well-deserved break after enduring pregnancy for nine months and experiencing the sleep deprivation that comes with caring for a newborn. New moms deserve to take care of the health and well-being of their minds and bodies. Postnatal massage will not only make you a healthier and happier mom, but will carry over into helping you raise a happy and healthy baby.
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