Prenatal and Postnatal Pregnancy Massage and Services
In This Section...
Importance of Massage Therapy on Pregnant Women
Pregnant women benefit tremendously from massage. It is one of the most personally rewarding and beneficial times to offer special attention to your body, decrease stress on you and baby, and prepare you for labor and delivery.
($60 / 55 minutes)
* Massage therapy on a pregnant woman is gentle, mindful, and respectful of her changing needs. It is not intense, and does not include deep pressure to the abdominal area, low back or the legs (ONLY light lymphatic drainage is used during all trimesters to assist with edema). If a woman is having a difficult pregnancy or has encountered certain complications (such as abnormal bleeding), or has particular orders from her physician for bed rest, massage therapy may be contraindicated. If you are experiencing any complications, please discuss this with your medical provider and the massage therapist.
Benefits:
Stress Reducing
Decreases stress hormones (catecholamine and cortisol) that interrupt healthy pregnancy and prolong labor, decreases fatigue, and aids in much needed comfortable sleep
Physiological Relief
Comforts low back pain, sciatica, breathing difficulty, and chronic muscle pain; assists with posture and balance; decreases gastrointestinal issues such as morning sickness, indigestion, and constipation; and relieves circulatory difficulties such as swelling and congestion
Emotional and Psychological
Allows an opportunity to get in touch with your body's changes, supports your emotional and hormonal changes, decreases depression and anxiety, encourages love and bonding with your new baby
Positioning During Pregnancy:
Positioning is based on what the woman is most comfortable with and may be dictated by conditions related to her pregnancy. Positioning includes side lying and recumbent position (comfortably propped up both behind the back and under the knees). If comfortable and indicated, thanks to the new Body Cushion System™, some moms can lie face down for a portion of the massage, safely and comfortably. Click the following images to see more.
Belly Casting:
A personal, artistic way to capture the beauty of a woman's body during pregnancy.
Using plaster we can create a keepsake mold of the belly, breasts, and even the hand of the mom or partner as they cradle the belly. You can take it home that day and paint or decorate it later with family and friends.
It is recommended to cast during the final weeks of pregnancy to capture the body at its peak. Casting your body with each pregnancy allows you to marvel at your body's changes, and your children will visually experience where they were during those months of waiting!
If you live in the Buffalo area, I am happy to come to your home, where you can be comfortable. Please contact me to discuss this experience, including styles of casts and their costs.
Education:
Labor Support:
Comforting Touch for Labor and Delivery — Please schedule an appointment for a private one hour class for mom and partner, or on occasion a group class is offered as needed. In this class we practice touch techniques to comfort mom during labor, review acupressure points related to labor and delivery, and discuss and practice relaxation techniques. Please dress comfortably.
Aromatherapy:
Essentials Oils for Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery — A group class where we discuss how to safely use essential oils to prepare for birth (physically, mentally and emotionally), and to address the discomforts of pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Aromatherapy for Birth Kit:
What a wonderful way to enjoy your birth — custom blended massage oils and diffusers (nasal inhalers) to assist with fatigue, anxiety, aches/pains and labor contractions. The kit comes with 7 blended products and is perfect for a home or hospital birth. The kit makes a wonderful baby shower gift for a new mom. Kit cost is $39 plus shipping and handling, and kits are made to order. Please contact me to purchase.
Appointments:
To make an appointment, please contact me at (716) 472-9237. (Click link with your smartphone to dial now.)
Location:
All massage services are provided at 289 Summer Street, Buffalo, New York 14222 (off of Elmwood Avenue). We are conveniently located between Allentown and the Elmwood Village with plenty of on-street parking. Easy to access from route 198, 190 or 33.
Cancellation Policy:
Please make your best effort to contact me in advance for the cancellation of an appointment. All cancellations made within two hours of appointment time, and all no-shows will be charged in full (unless you are in labor!)
