Mommy Massage

     It's no secret that when a woman becomes pregnant her life - and the lives of her partner, family, friends, etc... - will never be the same again. Schedules alter, moods change faster than Paris Hilton's wardrobe, and, addressing the obvious, her body is facing nine months of stretching, pulling, swelling, fatigue, and on and on. Certainly, this life-altering experience, though joyful, also brings the meaning of stress to a whole new level.

     What better antidote to the physical and emotional stress of pregnancy than to ease away those aches and pains with a massage? Prenatal massages, with the permission of your physician, work wonders in easing away lower-back and foot soreness as well as proving helpful as a sleeping-aid technique. Just by rubbing your arms, hands, shoulders, and feet, you relax long enough so that you (and your baby) can catch up on that much needed rest. In massaging your aching lower back, the pressure on your spine and knees is alleviated allowing for more fluid movement and physical activity.

     However, when scheduling for a professional massage, tell your masseuse how far along you are in your pregnancy. Because of liability, most masseuses will not give back or abdominal massages during the first trimester. And, even if you are past the first trimester, responsible and knowledgeable masseuses will not provide deep-stroke massages (think Swedish Massages) on your legs. The reason being: during pregnancy a woman's body naturally creates blood clots as to prevent hemorrhaging during labor. The techniques used in deep-stroke massages can dislodge the clots, creating potentially fatal consequences to both the fetus and the mother.

     Pregnancy is also a time when a woman can and is expected to be pampered. Treat yourself to a massage. Remember, it's not just about you - there is a small somebody else relying on your most healthy and relaxed self.