Prenatal and Postnatal Massage
Prenatal Massage
Receiving massage and other bodywork during your pregnancy can bring an amazing number a benefits when it is incorporated into regular prenatal care or even enjoyed as a one-off gift to self or from others. The pregnancy experience can bring new sensations, tensions and discomforts as your body changes and adapts over the time. Massage supports your body directly to promote relaxation and reduce stress hormones that can create unwanted discomfort, tension and anxiety. It can also bring balance and space for your baby, support and regulation for your nervous system and help to prepare your body for birth. It is the perfect way to nourish and nurture your body, mind and emotions as you do the all important work of growing your baby.
Postnatal Massage
Massage is the perfect way to nourish and support your mind, body and emotions as you process and heal from your birth, and navigate stepping into your new role. As well as bringing relief to areas of physical discomfort and tension, it provides some well needed space to pause, breathe out and settle back into your body after the profound work of birth and the whirlwind of those early days and weeks adjusting to life with a newborn.
Prenatal Massage Benefits
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Supports a healthy headspace
- Opportunity for self nurturing and quiet time connecting with baby
- Nourishes the baby via the mother
- Promotes improved sleep quality
- Provides relief from back pain and joint discomfort.
- Releases muscle tension for greater comfort and deeper breathing
- Supports postural realignment
- Enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system
- Increases circulation and helps relieve oedema
- Promotes physical and emotional wellbeing
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Supports a healthy headspace
- Opportunity for self nurturing and quiet time connecting with baby
- Nourishes the baby via the mother
- Promotes improved sleep quality
- Provides relief from back pain and joint discomfort.
- Releases muscle tension for greater comfort and deeper breathing
- Supports postural realignment
- Enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system
- Increases circulation and helps relieve oedema
- Promotes physical and emotional wellbeing
Postnatal Massage Benefits
- Calms the body and mind, and elevates mood
- Promotes deep relaxation
- Reduces stress hormones
- Promotes quality of sleep and restorative rest
- Supports pelvic realignment and balance in the body
- Promotes healing and scar tissue reduction
- Improves circulation and helps reduce oedema and fluid retention
- Helps with the removal of any metabolic waste and medications still in the system
- Supports healthy lactation and bonding with your baby
- Eases upper body pain and tension from holding and feeding your baby
- Helps you feel nurtured and nourished while you are doing the BIG work of caring for your baby
- Calms the body and mind, and elevates mood
- Promotes deep relaxation
- Reduces stress hormones
- Promotes quality of sleep and restorative rest
- Supports pelvic realignment and balance in the body
- Promotes healing and scar tissue reduction
- Improves circulation and helps reduce oedema and fluid retention
- Helps with the removal of any metabolic waste and medications still in the system
- Supports healthy lactation and bonding with your baby
- Eases upper body pain and tension from holding and feeding your baby
- Helps you feel nurtured and nourished while you are doing the BIG work of caring for your baby
Pregnancy & Post Natal Massage Bookings
Currently available Thursday afternoons/evenings by appointment @ Mana Health in Thornbury
Prenatal Massage
60 Mins
$125.00
Prenatal Massage
90 Mins
$175.00
Postnatal Massage
60 Mins
$125.00
Postnatal Massage
90 Mins
$175.00
Mana Health Practise
Yoga, doula care, homeopathy, bodywork, healing therapies and embodied birth education.
130 Plenty Road, Preston 3072
Frequently Asked Questions
PRENATAL MASSAGE
What are the benefits of receiving prenatal massage?
Massage during pregnancy focusses on the special needs of your body as it is adjusting to the enormous changes of growing your baby and preparing for birth. *See above for the list of benefits.
Are there any precautions or considerations?
It is important to select a certified massage therapist to ensure the best care for you and your baby. It is also important to consult with you primary care giver (Midwife, Obstetrician, etc) prior to receiving a massage if you have a particular condition that makes your pregnancy higher risk. A comprehensive history take will be done.
Medical clearance is required for any of the following:
- DVT/Thrombophlebitis
- Preeclampsia
- Hypertension
- Placenta Praevia or poor placental flow
- Cardiac/Heart Disorders
- Diabetes
- Kidney conditions
- Foetal Growth Restriction
- Previous Miscarriages (2 or more)
- Severe nausea and/or fever
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Spotting or Bleeding
Is it safe to receive prenatal massage in my first trimester?
Yes, massage with an experienced practitioner is safe during all three trimesters of your pregnancy. Particular massage strokes and techniques, and your positioning will be adjusted accordingly.
What position will I be in for my prenatal massage?
Side-lying is generally the most safe and supportive position for a prenatal massage to take place. A semi-reclined position may also be used if earlier in the pregnancy.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
This will depend on your personal preference and will be discussed with you prior to your massage. You will have the opportunity to advise on whether there are any specific areas that you would like to focus on or avoid, and a treatment plan will be worked out accordingly.
What type of massage pressure will be used during the massage?
Once again, the pressure used will depend on your preference, comfort levels and health requirements. There are some areas of your body where a firm, deep pressure will be used, while others will require a lighter touch. Extra care is always taken around key areas and acupressure points.
What is the difference between a 60 minute and 90 minute massage?
Naturally the longer the massage, the more time and attention is available for each area of your body.
60 minutes: Allows time for a full-body massage, or a targeted massage for specific concerns. If you have an area that is needing extra attention, you many want to consider a 90 minute massage that focuses longer on key areas.
90 minutes: Allows time for a full-body massage as well as additional time to focus on several ‘problem’ or target areas, providing a more comprehensive session.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes. Gift Certificates are available for all body work sessions + Pregnancy/Birth and Parenting packages.
POSTNATAL MASSAGE
How soon after birth am I able to get a massage?
There is no particular set time frame for this, so as soon as you feel ready. All the potential benefits listed above will support you well in your healing and help with restoring balance to your body, mind and emotions.
*You may want to check in with your primary care giver (Midwife, Obstetrician, etc) before booking a Postnatal Massage if there were complications during your birth that require a slower return to normal activities.
What position will I be in for my postnatal massage?
This may depend on the type of birth you had and how your body is feeling at the time of the Massage, ie. are you recovering from a caesarean birth; experiencing a lot of breast tenderness with breastfeeding etc.. Usually you would lie face down (women are often excited that they can finally lie on their stomach again!) with good support from pillows and towels for your belly and breasts. If this is not comfortable for you, then side-lying and semi-reclined positions can be used.
What is the difference between a 60 minute and 90 minute massage?
Naturally, the longer the massage the more time and attention is available for each area of your body.
60 minutes: Allows time for a full-body massage, or a targeted massage on specific areas. If you have an area that is needing extra attention, you may want to consider a 90 minute massage that focusses longer on key areas.
90 minutes: Allows time for a full-body massage as well as additional focus time on several ‘problem’ or target areas, providing a more comprehensive session.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes, Gift Certificates are available for all Body Work sessions as well as the Pregnancy/Birth and Parenting Packages.
