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Pre-natal Massage Therapy
Pregnancy is a time of major structural, physiological, psychological, spiritual, and social changes. Some of these changes produce discomforts and challenges that can be managed with appropriate therapy and body use guidance.
 Your LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) has specialized training in pregnancy massage, and may use any combination of massage therapy and bodywork to best serve you. Click to learn more .
MDLMT requests that all Pre-natal patients/clients review and sign a massage therapy release form. Click here to view/print. We forward this to your pre-natal care provider and request their review and signature to be sure they are aware of the therapy you receive with MDLMT and ensure you and your baby’s health and safety.
Being a woman with child has been viewed as the pristine state of a woman throughout history. While you surely don’t feel this way all the time, remember to acknowledge your walking the footsteps of all women before you.  Pregnancy is unique to each woman and each baby. The hormonal roller coaster can be mild or extreme. At times, overwhelming feelings can make you feel a loss of control and security.
In addition to the average person’s daily stresses, you now have elevated symptoms of stress that effect the whole you, body, mind and spirit. Stress levels increase and your ability to cope/manage them reduce during your pregnancy.
As a woman, you have felt the ups and downs of your hormones since you began your cycle. Those highs and lows may be exaggerated and erratic during your pregnancy. Regular massages help you feel more connected to your life and this clearer perspective produces a more balanced and healthy attitude. Research proves that attitude is everything and predetermines how you will percieve your experiences.
 With so much focus on the baby, you may begin to feel a loss of control of your body. Truth is, the baby now comes first. All the nutrition your unborn baby needs will be taken from you without regard for your needs. It is important you take effective vitamins regularly to ensure your health during this time of dramatic change. Natural supplements formulated from evidence based research are available here.
It is important to acknowledge there is more than the physical you, and your capacity to deal with emotions and ability to think clearly are altered.  During most of our history as humans, we lived in close communities or tribes. It is only recently in the time line that one’s individual presence can now be global. Women used to have the support of family and close friends, their community. Support that would cook dinner here and there, care for the kids occasionally, help repair damages to your home, or offer advice and counsel of the oncoming birth of your baby. The lack of this support for most women and the fact that more and more women are advancing in high maintenance careers has produced higher stress levels and more ‘burnt out’ pregnant woman. Let yourself receive the care and support you deserve with massage.
Massage Therapy during your pregnancy gives you your most beneficial tool when birthing: the ability to relax. It is essential to a healthy pregnancy and birth to learn and practice the art of full and deep relaxation.
Changes you can count on during your pregnancy:
Loose Ligaments ~ 
One of the hormones released during pregnancy is called relaxin. Its job is to create a lengthening and softening of your ligaments to allow the pelvis to expand and open during birth. Relaxin is present in your body throughout your entire pregnancy as well as your lactation period. Unfortunately, this loosening affects all the ligaments in your body, not just your pelvis. Unstable vertebrae, joints, and areas of previous injury/trauma/weakness are all affected as your muscles tightness to provide support where your now softened ligaments do not. Massage relaxes your tight muscles, decreasing pain and discomfort.
Fatigue ~
You get tired for a reason! You are carrying a lot of extra weight that requires more energy use. The amount of blood you carry increases by 40%. That’s a lot of fluid! In addition to extra weight, hormones direct your body to rest. Women who must continue to work while growing a baby suffer tremendously from fatigue. Massage gives you the necessary time to rest and rejuvenate.
Shifting Proprioception ~
A woman with child’s body changes at an amazing rate. As you get bigger, especially in the last trimester, you may not be sure exactly how much space you occupy. Your sense of where your belly and the outside world meet may not be accurate. This is why some pregnant women become clumsy or ‘accident prone’. Massage therapy increases your body awareness and clarity of your position in space, and can thereby prevent injury.
Research studies conducted by The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami, FL and others suggest regular massages help to:
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Reduce stress and promote relaxation through emotional support and physical nurturance
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Increase blood and lymph circulation, reducing edema, and providing relief from discomforts caused by varicose veins
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Facilitate and support respiratory, gastrointestinal, hormonal, and other physiological processes Reduce pain associated with tight muscular tissues, especially in the neck and back 
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Develop kinesthetic awareness necessary to actively participate in birthing
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Develop a nurturing maternal touch
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Decrease anxiety and stress hormone production
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Contribute to a shorter, less painful labor
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Reduced labor and delivery complications and medical interventions
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Decrease or eliminate feelings of depression such as isolation, detachment, fear, and anxiety
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Decrease and manage common discomforts/conditions such as:
It is essential that your LMT is aware of any high risk or compromising conditions. Most do not prohibit massage completely; however, a few do prohibit specific massage techniques.
It is vital for you to receive massage therapy only from a Licensed Massage Therapist with specialized training in pregnancy and its complexities. If you have one or more of these conditions, your session will be modified accordingly to ensure you and your baby’s well being and health.
Some common high-risk/compromising conditions include:
(Click each one to learn more) 
Anemia
Cardiac, Pulmonary, Renal, or Liver Disorders
Drug or Hazardous Materials Exposure
Ectopic pregnancy
Edema
Fever
Gestational Diabetes
Mother’s age under 20 or over 35
Multiple Pregnancy
Pitting Edema
Placental Dysfunctions
Pre-Eclampsia (GEPH)
Pregnancy-induced Hypertension (PIH) or Chronic Hypertension
Pre-pregnancy Diabetes Mellitus
Pre-term labor
Previous problem pregnancy
Prior or current threatened miscarriage
Rh-negative Mother
Severe varicose veins
Thrombophlebitis
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