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“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.” Amy Tan (author)
BENEfits
Massage can be an incredibly beneficial and relaxing experience during your pregnancy and after.
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Massage during pregnancy can be an incredibly beneficial and relaxing experience. Pregnancy is beautiful but also tiring and puts a lot of strain on a woman’s body.
Massage can alleviate aches and pains, helping a woman to relax. It helps to support her body during a period of physiological change and helps to prepare it for birth. This is especially true during the final weeks leading up to the birth where it creates a special, undisturbed time for a mother to connect with her baby and allows her to unwind.
Research has shown that massage has an indirect relaxing effect on the baby as the mother releases Oxytocin (the love hormone) and Prolactin (the hormone that prepares the body for breastfeeding and stimulates milk production), as a result of skin stimulation. By creating a more tranquil journey in a woman’s pregnancy, it lays the foundations for a less complicated birth.
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Massage after birth can be uplifting and gives a mother a well deserved opportunity to relax and recover.
Labour, no matter the length, puts stress on the lower back, buttocks and thighs. Massage helps relieve soreness and tiredness, helping to promote a healthy body image both mentally and physically.
Massage helps encourage cellulite and swelling reduction by increasing blood circulation and boosting lymphatic drainage, which often becomes sluggish during pregnancy. It can also aid in reducing the appearance of stretch marks
It is advised to check with your GP, post birth, if it is safe for you to receive treatment (especially if a c-section was performed) or to be aware of any areas that may need to be avoided.
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Massage is an opportunity to unwind and heal. It is a great way for a mother and baby to connect. Massage releases the love hormone, Oxytocin, which is especially key in creating positive bonds between mother and baby.
During this session, learn how to massage your baby. Connect with your little ones and soothe them through touch and gentle strokes. This can be used at home as part of your daily routine with them.
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The practice of baby massage has been carried out in many different cultures around the world, dating back thousands of years.
There are many benefits of baby massage for both mother and baby. Massage stimulates a baby’s central nervous system, which increases the production of Serotonin (the happy hormone) and reduces Cortisol (the stress hormone). This in turn slows down the baby’s heart rate and breathing, resulting in a more relaxed state of mind.
For the baby:
• Helps reduce pain
• Helps stimulate muscle development
• Helps stimulate the digestive system
• Helps improve jaundice
• Helps improve sleep
• Helps reduce colic and trapped wind
• Helps reduce nasal congestion
• Helps alleviate constipation
• Helps reduce teething inflammation
• Promotes bonding and attachment
For the mother:
• Promotes bonding and attachment
• Promotes a healthier mental state of mind
• Helps encourage and stimulate milk production through the release of Oxytocin
• Helps build confidence in handling a new born for first time parents
• Helps parents become more familiar with non verbal cues
• Helps mothers suffering from postnatal depression build confidence and positive interactions with their babies through skin and eye contact
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Prenatal massage
A relaxing prenatal massage to help relieve aches and discomfort during pregnancy.
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Post Natal Massage
A tailored massage, using essential oils, to relieve post birth discomfort and allow some well deserved quiet time.
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Mother & Baby Massage
A special moment for mothers to be able to escape and be pampered whilst being close to their little ones. Watch and learn how to give a baby massage, which can be incorporated into their daily routine to aid sleep, discomfort and connect through the power of touch.
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Baby massage lesson
Watch and learn how to give a baby massage, which can be incorporated into their daily routine to aid sleep discomfort, connect through the power of touch.
“I had the most amazing pregnancy massage from Jamie when I was 40 weeks. She came to my house and gave me the most relaxing and calming massage. I would have a massage from her everyday if I could”
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I moved to London in 2008 and started working in a prep school. In 2011 I qualified as a primary school teacher and have worked across a wide range of age groups, including Early Years.
When I had my own children I had to take a step away from teaching and during that time I trained as a massage therapist, specialising in Pregnancy and Baby massage. This is an area I have always had so much appreciation for, having needed it myself during my pregnancies.
I also became very interested in the benefits of baby massage when my children were little, especially after my eldest was delivered by emergency c-section. I found that he really benefited from a combination of cranial osteopathy and massage.
Qualifications
• BSc (Hons) Psychology & Philosophy 2:1
• PGCE (Qualified Teacher Status)
• VTCT (ITEC) Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology & Body Massage (Level 3 RQF) UK Accreditation: QAN 603/4092/7
• ITEC Diploma in Pregnancy & Baby Massage
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Pre-treatment
It is important that a full consultation takes place before treatment can happen to disclose any medical history or current conditions.
During treatment
Prenatal
After the first trimester, massage is no longer performed in the prone (facing down) or supine (facing up) position, to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the abdomen and to avoid compression of the vena cava, which can cause low blood pressure and decreased circulation to the mother and baby.
Therefore the massage will take place in the side-lying-position propped up with many soft pillows for maximum safety and comfort.
Lightweight sheets will be used to drape over the body.
The sitting position can also be adopted, when symptoms like heartburn, reflux and nasal congestion are being experienced.
There are also a few pressure points which will be avoided during the massage, like on the feet, as they can promote uterine contractions.
The abdomen, however, can be massaged in a gentle manner (previously agreed during the consultation), which can be of great benefit to the mother and baby.
The use of essential oils is avoided during pregnancy and only very plain oils like sweet almond will be applied.
Postnatal
Depending on how the birth has gone, treatment can be carried out in the prone position again if desired.
If a c-section has been performed during birth, it is advised that treatment doesn’t take place until at least 4 weeks post birth or after a consultation has taken place with a GP and consent given.
Mother & Baby
The order of treatment will vary from session to session, depending on the needs of the baby on the day. It is an opportunity for the mother and baby to bond and feel relaxed, whilst being pampered, so it is important that both needs are met. If the baby needs feeding, massage can be carried out in the side-lying position.
If treatment is being carried out away from home, it is advised to bring a Moses basket or carry cot for when the baby is sleeping and the massage is taking place, to ensure total safety and comfort.
Baby
Although the baby massage routine will never take longer than 10 minutes whilst at home, an hour session is required to teach it, allowing time for regular breaks for the baby for feeding and changing etc.
As oil will be applied it is important to know before the session that the baby doesn’t have a skin reaction to it. Therefore it is advised to bring oil with you and do a skin patch test 24 hours prior to the appointment.
Massage aids digestion, so it is likely that babies will feel thirsty and hungry during and after the session, therefore please make sure water and milk are available.
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It is important that a full health/medical history consultation takes place between my client and myself before each treatment, and records are regularly updated.
If you are at all unsure at any point, or have any concerns, it is important to discuss with your GP or obstetrician before hand.
If any of the following apply to you, you should not consider having a massage:
•If you are deemed a high risk pregnancy
•If you have pregnancy induced hypertension
•If you have preeclampsia
•If you have previously had a pre term labour
•If you have been experiencing severe swelling, high blood pressure or sudden headaches
•If you are prone to blood clots or are experiencing cramping or bleeding.
•If you recently gave birth (recommended wait time - at least 2 weeks)
•If you are in first trimester
•If you are recovering from a C-section (recommended wait time – at least 4 weeks and doctor consultation)
•If you experienced a complicated birth or miscarriage and haven’t had a follow up with your GP yet.
Baby
• If they have a fever
• If they have a rash
• If they have just had a vaccination please allow 24 hours until appointment