Can pregnant women get a massage?

There are no people who would not like massage, especially among women. From the procedure of various physiological effects on the skin and rubbing fragrant oils will not refuse any woman.

Massage as a method of treatment practiced in ancient China, Egypt and Japan. And in ancient India, massage, in addition to treatment, was applied to expectant mothers in order to alleviate the physical and psychological state. Even then, doctors knew what processes occur in the body during pregnancy, and how exactly you can alleviate the condition for the safe bearing of the fetus throughout the entire period.

There is a lot of literature about the methods of massage and its healing effect on the human body.Massage for the future mother is a special procedure that requires deep knowledge and high qualification of the massage therapist, because in no way you can harm the baby and his mother.

Massage during pregnancy - is it possible or not?

Do not give up the massage, especially since experts unanimously believe that massage only has a beneficial effect on the state of the pregnant woman. However, the doctor prescribes the procedure individually, and it depends on the general and particular contraindications at the time of pregnancy. Everything is good, but only in moderation.

1 term
In the first three months of pregnancy is not recommended frequent massage procedures. This is due to the fact that a woman is already experiencing a hormonal failure, which can lead to miscarriage. The effect on the sacral spine, the tailbone, the heel and the base of the thumb can also provoke a miscarriage or have a bad effect on the course of pregnancy. Therefore, in the first three months of pregnancy, you can only stroke your own belly and no more (this procedure will be useful during the entire period of pregnancy, and it calms not only mommy, but also the baby).

During pregnancy, only a light, gentle massage is allowed, which is more like stroking than using physical effort. After all, first of all, the massage should relieve pain in the lumbar, cervical, thighs and relax the tense muscles of the limbs. This procedure helps reduce puffiness, relieves stress and fatigue, normalizes blood flow and improves overall well-being. You can learn and perform this procedure yourself at home, or you can contact a qualified specialist.

2 term
Starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, it is recommended to carry out systematically massage procedures - this promotes the synthesis of endorphins and charges the future mother with positive emotions. Expectant mother will receive a positive attitude and strength to combat fatigue.

For massage, you can use fragrant oils, but only those that do not cause an allergic reaction. You can determine it yourself, it’s enough to put one drop on your wrist and after some time see the result. Negative reaction of the body is redness, itching or swelling of the skin.In this case, it is better to abandon the use of oil - it is not suitable for the procedure.

Absolutely all the oils have different effects on the body, so when choosing a tool you need to pay special attention. Sandalwood, lavender and cypress oil can remove puffiness in the spinal section, and juniper and cedar oil - to narrow the vessels in the legs with varicose veins. Massage is mainly carried out in the neck, back, shoulder area and limbs.

Note! Many women attend anti-cellulite massage procedures, but at the time of pregnancy such sessions are strictly prohibited!

Spinal and cervical massage

In the first three months, massage of the lower vertebral and lumbar regions is undesirable, but at this moment the fetus is still very small and the mother can lie on the stomach, because the weight of the child is insignificant and does not squeeze blood vessels. Therefore, you can do a light massage of the legs, lumbar, hip and spinal sections.

In later periods, a pregnant woman can lie on her side or sit. Massage always begins with light strokes. In no case should you apply an intensive effect, especially if the massage therapist is not well aware of the placement of active nerve centers on the human body.

Hand and foot massage

A foot massage is necessary for a pregnant woman, because in the process of pregnancy the volume and weight of the tummy increase. The entire load is on the legs, so often pregnant women suffer from swelling of the lower extremities. It doesn’t matter whether a pregnant woman spends most of her time walking or sitting - in any case, foot massage will be helpful and help prevent swelling.

This procedure contributes to the normalization of blood circulation, due to this, the cells are enriched with oxygen, improves the work of the internal organs.And in the process of massage points are activated, contributing to the work of all body systems. Foot massage is a pleasant, soothing, painless procedure. You can enhance the effect with the help of the environment - soft lighting, pleasant music, soothing aromatic oils will help, all this contributes to relaxation and enjoying the procedure. One such session is able to completely restore the mental state, relieve nervous tension, bring thoughts in order, raise the mood and charge with positive emotions. If the expectant mother suffers from insomnia, then this procedure should be carried out before bedtime, which will provide a deep sound sleep.

In the process of foot massage, special attention should be paid to the feet and calves. You can not make a sharp, strong and fussy clicks and movements. Only slow and smooth maneuvers. If a pregnant woman has prerequisites for varicose veins, then you should not use a vein section in the procedure.

Belly massage

Usually this area is massaged in order to eliminate unwanted fat deposits. At the time of pregnancy, this type of massage is strictly prohibited.It is important to avoid any physical effects in the abdominal area, any sudden or abnormal pressure can have a negative impact on the child. The only thing possible is light strokes in the abdomen, if they relax and bring pleasure to the future mom. Usually, mommy herself strokes her tummy - this is how she contacts with the baby. This procedure helps to increase muscle tone of the abdomen, which in the future will prevent the appearance of postpartum stretch marks. It is considered to do correctly stroking the abdomen in a clockwise direction.

Anticellulite massage

Absolutely all types of anti-cellulite massage are strictly forbidden to carry out during the period of carrying a baby, although some experts believe that not all types can be canceled. However, it makes no sense to continue the procedure, because nature laid down during the period of pregnancy the deposition of fat. Therefore, at this stage it is an absolutely useless procedure.

But this is not a reason for grief, plump hips, buttocks, legs and tummy can be returned to the old form after the birth of the child, the main thing is to properly approach this issue in due time.Remember that during lactation diet for weight loss is absolutely contraindicated.

Perineum massage

In recent weeks, before childbirth, experts recommend a massage of the perineum - this method allows you to stimulate the female organs and facilitate the process of the upcoming birth. It is used if the woman will give birth by a natural method. If the doctor prepares the mother for Caesarean section, then this option of massage can not be applied. In any case, it is carried out only by competent specialists.

The course of the perineal massage and the technique of proper breathing will allow you to give birth without negative consequences for the mother and child. And also get rid of or reduce to a minimum the pain syndromes in the process of childbirth.

Many doctors recommend to massage the genitals in the last trimester of pregnancy, explaining their advice to the fact that this will increase blood flow and prepare muscles, make them more elastic. This method will help avoid muscle tissue breaks at the time of delivery.

Massage rules for pregnant women

So, to summarize, we list what rules should be followed in the process of massage to pregnant women:

1. Only light movements without pressure and effort, absolutely relaxed hand.
2. Stroking the back, buttocks, limbs need to slowly, without fuss and sudden maneuvers.
3. Rubbing oil in a slow rhythm.
4. No pressure and kneading.
5. Vibrating movements are performed only with your fingers.
6. In no case can not massage the belly, allowed only light strokes in a clockwise direction.

Session time is usually 30 - 45 minutes. At the time of gestation, you should not use massage devices and tools. Vibro massage belts and various pacemakers should not be used, because this can negatively affect the health of the child.

When massage is contraindicated

It is not uncommon for pregnant to touch other people's touch - in this case you should not visit a massage therapist. After all, massage will not bring positive results, but on the contrary - it will only worsen the state of health and add irritability. This concerns the psychological level, what is relative to the physical, then there are a number of contraindications:

• Increased body temperature.
• Colds.
• Toxins and slow metabolism.
• Various blood diseases.
• Various skin diseases.
• Purulent inflammation.
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes and blood vessels.
• Thrombosis.
• Dilated veins in the legs.
• Various diseases of the cardiovascular system.
• Heart diseases.
• Various diseases of the abdominal cavity.
• Stomach upset.
• Acute or chronic osteomyelitis.
• Tumors in various locations.
• Chronic asthma.
• Sharp pains in the spinal region.

Before visiting the massage room, it is necessary to consult a doctor, because in no case can you harm the health of the child.

Video: massage for pregnant women at home