PRENATAL, Induction, and Postpartum MASSAGE

Attention: Prenatal massages are temporarily unavailable

Marilyn became interested in massage therapy after working as a doula for several years. She wanted to bring a healing touch to her doula clients and became a Board-Certified Massage Therapist in 2012. She went on to take 600 additional hours of prenatal and postpartum massage therapy continuing education, including becoming a Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner.

Marilyn’s greatest joy is to help moms feel more comfortable with their pregnant bodies and help prepare them for an amazing birth. When you approach birth with a balanced body, both you and your baby have an easier birth experience, faster recovery, and greater satisfaction.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Your body is working harder than ever during pregnancy, and self-care is critical to relieving pregnancy-related pain. Pregnant women can benefit from prenatal massage in several ways.

Improves Nerve Pain

Many women experience nerve pain during pregnancy, most often in their sciatic nerve (sciatica). Weight gain, fluid retention, and your growing baby are the most common contributing factors. Most individuals describe sciatica as a sharp or stabbing pain that starts in the buttocks and runs down the back of the thigh. Prenatal massage can relieve nerve pain by targeting inflammation and reducing fluid retention.

Regulates Hormones

Pregnancy causes massive fluctuations and surges in hormones. Estrogen and progesterone levels soar, and testosterone levels rise as well. Pregnancy also increases the stress hormone cortisol up to four times its pre-pregnancy levels. Cortisol is necessary for your baby’s development, but too much can leave you feeling tense and on edge.

Studies show that massage therapy helps regulate cortisol levels so pregnant women can relax and feel less anxious while relieving their aches and pains. The same research also reported that massage therapy reduced the likelihood of premature birth, reduced the need for medication during labor, and helped shorten labor by an average of three hours.

Relieves Swelling

Pregnant women tend to notice a gradual increase in swelling as their pregnancy progresses. Your blood levels increase, your growing baby can disrupt blood flow from your legs, and veins soften and don’t work as efficiently due to pregnancy hormones. Most of the swelling occurs in the legs and ankles, which can be uncomfortable or painful. Massage therapy can help relieve swelling by promoting circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Other Benefits of Prenatal Massage

• Less back and joint pain

• Muscle tension and headache relief

• Improved sleep quality

Benefits of Postpartum Massage

Your focus after birth is likely on caring for your baby, and you may overlook or dismiss your postpartum discomfort. However, postpartum aches and pains and limited sleep can take a toll on your mental health. Massage therapy is great for addressing lingering discomfort in your shoulders, hips, stomach, and legs after childbirth. It also relieves the stress and anxiety you may feel after bringing home your baby, and it’s beneficial for women experiencing postpartum depression. For breastfeeding mothers, massage therapy may help boost milk production by improving circulation and increasing the lactation hormone prolactin.

Induction Massage

Induction massages are unique to the individual. Clients usually book this massage at 40 weeks or later unless they are considering a medical induction. If you’re interested in scheduling an induction massage, fill out the inquiry form below.

Marilyn’s Certifications