Your body is doing something tremendous as it grows the life inside you. Whether you’re glowing and full of energy or exhausted and overwhelmed, it’s probably time for some self-care. The benefits of prenatal massage for expectant mothers are plentiful, so it could be a good fit for your needs.
At Xenana Spa, formerly Zenana Spa, we serve our clients with integrity, compassion, and inclusiveness to help them feel their very best. Pregnant parents especially deserve some pampering. For the most relaxing prenatal massage in Portland, come and see us. We seek to nurture the whole person with massage, skincare, and yoga available at Xenana. Learn more about our services and book your time today.
If you’re unsure what the benefits of prenatal massage are, here are the top three that our clients experience.
1. Reduced Pain
Your body is performing a monumental task as it nurtures your growing baby. Just as the increasingly heavy uterus can constrict blood flow, it can also put pressure on your nerves. Many women experience sciatic nerve pain in their second and third trimesters from this weight shift.
In addition, pregnancy can sometimes lead to headaches, low back pain, and other discomforts. Since there are limited over-the-counter medications that are safe during pregnancy, it can be tricky to get adequate relief.
Reduced pain is one of the best benefits of prenatal massage. This form of hands-on care helps relieve muscle tension around the sciatic nerve and throughout your body to help increase blood flow and reduce pain levels.
2. Reduced Swelling
It’s common for pregnant people to experience edema, or fluid retention in their joints. Your blood and water volume increase significantly when you’re expecting. And as the baby grows, the uterus gets heavier and puts pressure on your lower body’s blood vessels. The increased fluids and vessel constriction can lead to edema. The boost in fluid volume can also lead to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Swollen ankles and legs can be very uncomfortable for you when your body is working so hard to grow a tiny human. Prenatal massage helps activate the lymphatic system and move this excess fluid out of your tissues and back into circulation to help you feel better and move more freely.
3. Better Sleep
The amount of energy your body needs during pregnancy is impressive. So if you feel tired often, it’s no surprise. And as your belly grows, it can get trickier to enjoy a full night of sleep.
You may not be able to sleep in your preferred position, or you might be up for bathroom breaks during the night. And to top things off, your hormones change so significantly that they can disrupt your sleep, too.
If tension, anxiety, or discomfort interrupts your sleep, prenatal massage can help. By reducing aches and stress and stabilizing hormone levels, pregnancy massage makes it easier for you to get the restorative rest your body needs.
Benefits of Prenatal Massage Continue into Labor and Beyond
By reducing pain, swelling, anxiety, and sleeplessness, prenatal massage also helps your body prepare for labor and birth. These benefits allow you to go into labor feeling your best and strongest as you prepare to meet your baby.
In one study, people who had pregnancy massage experienced a reduced incidence of premature birth, shorter labor, and reduced postpartum depression. These benefits make massage one of the most common alternative therapies for pregnant people.
Effective, therapeutic prenatal massage requires more than just gentle hands. Our Xenana Spa massage therapists all have specific training in how to properly position and work on pregnant people. Owner Kelley Burke developed this system and methodology based on her 20 years as a midwife and doula. With the right positioning and techniques, our massages can be deeply therapeutic and satisfying.
Are you ready for a massage for yourself? Pregnant or not, Xenana Spa has a service to meet your needs. Our staff loves what they do, and they can’t wait to care for you. Book your appointment today and come visit us in our beautiful Portland, OR space.
