1. Better circulation
By about 34 weeks pregnant, your blood volume increases by nearly 50%! Pregnancy massage helps increase blood circulation, which improves oxygen flow to your baby and decreases varicose veins and leg cramps.
2. Relieve Muscle Tension
With weight gain and postural changes, the lower back, legs, hips, shoulders, and neck are all common areas of significant discomfort during pregnancy. Prenatal massage does wonders to relieve these issues.
3. Improve Pelvic Alignment
Working on the hips and glutes are my specialty! Releasing the muscles and ligaments of the pelvis helps your body maintain or return to an ideal alignment for birth and can even help baby get into a position that’s conducive to labor and vaginal delivery.
4. Reduce Heartburn and Indigestion
If you are experiencing these unpleasant symptoms, there are specific massage techniques that can help your discomfort by reducing pressure against the abdomen and releasing tight fascia around the ribs.
5. Lower Blood Pressure
Numerous studies show regular massage lowers diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
6. Stress Reduction and Hormone Regulation
I know being pregnant is supposed to be blissful and all, but the reality is that it’s kind of stressful sometimes too. And stress is not helpful for anyone experiencing any pregnancy complications or trying to get into labor. Studies show that prenatal massage regulates cortosol (the stress hormone), dopamine (effects executive function and motor control), and seroatonin (effects mood, sleep, and appetite.
7. Setting a Self-Care Standard
The importance of self care can not be understated when you’re pregnant. Committing to and learning how to make time for your needs, before your baby is born, is essential groundwork for balancing life as a parent to a new baby.
8. Lessen Edema
Prenatal massage can reduce swelling in your ankles, legs, feet, and hands. All that increased fluid your body is now carrying around will circulate much better after a massage.
9. Better Sleep
The cumulative effect of reduced muscle tension, lower blood pressure, decreased stress, less hip and back pain all help you get through the night with less discomfort and interruptions.
10. It feels good
And when you’re growing another human, feeling good is important to the work you’re doing.
There are now 2 locations to schedule with Kelley in NE Portland. Tuesdays and Thursdays, she can be found in the MontBlanc building on NE 7th. And if you are needing childcare or a Wednesday/Friday apt, please look into scheduling at the Luna Wellness location.