Pregnancy turns the life of a woman upside down – and we don’t mean it in a negative way. From hormonal changes that lead to mood swings to abnormal weight gain and permanent scars, pregnancy truly is a bittersweet experience.
However, there are quite a few things that can be done to make the 9-month-long journey pleasant. These include tailored massages, physio exercises and various other therapies. Our focus with this article will be on exploring the benefits of pregnancy massage. If you do a Google search of pregnancy massage in Dubai, you will see a plethora of links, some paid and other organic, offering the best-in-class therapy to expecting moms. This is testament to the efficacy of a pregnancy massage, which has a soothing effect on the mom.
So, let’s explore what exactly is a pregnancy massage.
What is a Pregnancy Massage?
Similar to a normal massage, a pregnancy massage is done to make you feel good. Depending on how far down you are into pregnancy, the masseuse will apply different techniques with gentle strokes to send pleasant sensations across your body.
The massage therapist will be on hand to ask you about any oils or allergies you may have. They’ll also ensure that the massage is performed in a position that you are comfortable in.
Some people are still on the fence with this technique – fearing it might cause harm to the baby, but the good news is, we have sufficient research and evidence to support that a pregnancy massage has numerous benefits.
Now, let’s explore the key benefits of a prenatal massage.
Stress Reducer
Stress and anxiety are normal emotions to feel when you are gestating a baby. This massage works wonderfully well to alleviate stress levels and make you feel calm and relaxed. Besides, lower stress levels are also good for your developing baby!
Improves Sleep Cycle
It’s perfectly normal to struggle for sleep during pregnancy, but not more so when you have your tiny human around you! A pregnancy massage relieves pressure points in your body to help you sleep like a baby.
Tones Down Swelling
Another common symptom of pregnancy is swelling in different parts of your body. Massage helps to reduce swelling and boost your lymphatic system, while also allowing you to move with more freedom.
Improves Blood Circulation
Pregnancy massage stimulates nerve endings in your body to boost blood circulation; which is super helpful for you and the baby. This also ensures that you and your little one are getting the important nutrients from the bloodstream to nourish and develop, respectively.
Helps with Back Pain
During the course of your pregnancy, your center of gravity will move. This can cause severe back pain and a condition called Sciatica. Frequent pregnancy massages can help alleviate back discomfort whilst enabling you to maintain a strong and healthy posture.
Keeps your Hormones in Balance
Hormones, hormones, hormones. You must have heard them uncountable during the course of your pregnancy. Responsible for regulating the function of your organs, a good, 30 minute pregnancy massage helps keep your hormones on an even keel. They also enable your body to release endorphins – the feel good hormones.
Aids in the Development of the Baby
This might come as a surprise, but pregnancy massage can actually help with the growth and development of the fetus. This is because the message helps the flow of important nutrients to the baby. So, with a massage, you’re not only unwinding, but also helping the growth of your baby.
Enhances Immunity
For an expectant mom, immunity is key to ensuring the wellbeing of the baby. Eating a healthy diet is key but a gentle massage could also do wonders for your immunity system. This is again due to improved blood circulation around the body.
It also helps to eliminate toxins from the body, which aids your body, and in turn, your baby in their growth inside the womb.
Lifts your Mood
Pregnancy can be overwhelming. It can cause a range of emotions to come out at once. Just like any other form of massage, a pregnancy massage calms your senses and instills a sense of serenity in you.
When is the Right Time to Opt for a Pregnancy Massage?
There are many spas and healthcare centers offering prenatal massage in Dubai because it is completely safe to have it during your second and third trimesters. While there is no evidence to support the claim that a pregnancy massage could be harmful to the baby, experts, including the best physiotherapists in Dubai usually avoid recommending it during the first trimester as a precautionary measure.
So, there you have it. If you are pregnant and need a much-needed break from all the raging hormones, back aches and mood swings, a pregnancy massage might just be what you’ve been looking for all along.