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Pregnancy
and Infant Massage
You and your baby deserve it!
It's
a long 9 months... filled with the most exciting physical and
emotional changes you will ever experience.
As you adjust to and
nurture the new life within, you will undergo a wide range of sensations.
While all of them may be completely normal, they may not be entirely
comfortable or pleasant.
Some of the most
common complaints of pregnancy include nausea, fatigue, headaches, lower
back pain, neck and shoulder aches, swelling of the extremities, tension,
irritability and mood swings. Combine the stresses of pregnancy with the
demands of a career and/or family and what's an expectant mother to do?
Medical
Facts:
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Whatever the expectant mother
does to increase her own health and well-being directly affects the
development of the baby. |
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Having a bay is an "athletic
event" with labor being the hardest work a woman will ever do. |
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Stress is one of the major
causes of premature labor. |
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Premature birth is the #1 cause
of infant death. |
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Prenatal massage is one of the
best known methods for the reduction of stress. |
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Post maturity (defined as two
weeks or more past the estimated date of delivery) is the #2 cause of
infant death. |
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Regular therapeutic massage has
been shown to be an important factor in preventing post maturity. |
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Infant massage promotes family
bonding |
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Infant massage promotes
neurological development |
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Infant massage calms colicky
babies. |
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Infant massage is a structured
touch enhancement. |
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Babies who suffer from a "lack
of touch" fail to thrive. |
In
addition to all the health benefits, therapeutic massage also
feels absolutely wonderful!
Insurance may apply with your doctor/midwife prescription. |
 Suggested scheduling of appointments begins as early as 14 weeks
and continues until delivery and once a week for the first six weeks
postpartum.
Pre-natal massage is therapeutic bodywork which focuses on the
special needs of the mother-to-be, preparing her body to cope with the
demands of carrying and delivering a baby.
During
pregnancy, massage can:
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provide relaxation |
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increase circulation |
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relieve stress on weight
bearing joints (lower back, pelvis, knees ankles) |
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alleviate neck and shoulder
strain |
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reduce edema |
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lower blood pressure |
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offer emotional support and
physical nurturing |
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enhance sensory awareness |
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decrease risk of
pre-maturity/post-maturity |
Post-partum massage will speed your body's return to its
pre-pregnancy state by helping to restore normal muscle tone as well as
easing the strain of caring for a brand new baby.
Infant
massage classes are offered "free of charge" to the prenatal
massage family after the baby arrives. Learn how to enhance your baby's
growth and development, increase his/her sense of happiness and well-being
and mature the special bond between you through the art of infant massage.
Labor
coaches are always welcome and will be taught how to increase the
mother's comfort throughout pregnancy, as well as how to assist their
partner during labor and delivery.
Massage is a great gift idea, not only
for moms or expectant mothers, but also for expectant or new fathers and
family members. |
