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Hello, new mom! Congratulations on your new bundle of joy! After a taxing nine months, are you craving a way to relax and work out the kinks that have accumulated in your body? Well, Postnatal massages are exactly the right way to do it. This is a way to pamper and heal your body from the stress & pain it has been put through.
A postpartum massage is a complete-body massage rendered within the first 40 days of giving birth. We at Pink Orchid excel in providing postnatal massages that will help you relax truly. You must read ahead for more information on postpartum massage and find out how exactly it is beneficial to you.
Furthermore, since you're little one is already here, you must Learn Baby Massage Techniques to alleviate your child’s pain on your own from the expert herself - Annie Hakim.
Table Of Content
What Is A Postnatal Massage?
A postnatal or postpartum massage is a whole-body massage given to a mother after she has given birth. This is a wonderful age-old practice to help relax and soothe new moms. The massage typically starts from the feet and ends with a relaxing head massage. It also has the underlying potential to help you get rid of the postpartum effects.
It is a recommended practice for new mothers to get a postnatal massage every day for the first weeks after birth. However, during pregnancy, you must try prenatal massages for great benefits. Since Pink Orchid offers postnatal massages that are designed to help relax particular muscles of your body. These muscles get strained after giving birth to a child. They would help supplement blood flow and release endorphins.
Benefits Of Postnatal Massage After Delivery
Given below are the benefits of postnatal massage sessions after delivery:
1. Reduced Swelling
During labor, a mother's body swells due to poor circulation of blood due to the heavy uterus and hormonal imbalances. This leads to water retention and swelling of joints. Massaging helps redistribute water within the body, improves circulation, and encourages drainage of excess fluids and toxins.
2. Improved Milk Production
Massage therapy relaxes chest muscles, opens the shoulders, and improves circulation. This triggers an increase in prolactin levels which is a lactation hormone. A breast massage also helps relieve breast pain and decreases sodium in breast milk, thereby improving newborn suckling.
3. Hormone Regulation
There is a lot of hormonal fluctuation in women during the postpartum period. In 9 months of pregnancy, mothers’ bodies undergo a lot of stress and changes. Massages help kickstart the recovery process. Massage oils along with touch help elevate the mood and encourage hormonal balance.
4. Reduced Anxiety & Depression
New mothers may experience ‘baby blues’ or even postpartum depression after giving birth. Feelings of being moody, weepy, tired, or anxious are common for most mothers in the first few weeks after delivery. Massage helps decrease anxiety and stress contributing to these feelings. It also helps you get better sleep.
5. Speed Up Recovery From Birth
A postnatal massage helps the circulation of blood and oxygen in the muscles. This flushes out toxins and boosts immunity. This supports your well-being and helps you recover faster. However, if you have had a C-section delivery, it is best to leave the wound alone until it is healed. There are certain precautions you need to take during a massage if you have had a C-section delivery.
6. Increase In Oxytocin
Postnatal massages involve special techniques that stimulate breast tissue. This improves the production of the oxytocin hormone. Oxytocin triggers the ‘letdown reflex’ in new mothers that releases milk from breasts. So there might be leakage of breast milk during the massage session.
When Can You Start Postnatal Massage?
If you have had a normal delivery, you must start the postnatal massage as soon as you come back from the hospital. However, in cesarean delivery, a postpartum massage can be rendered only after the wound has sufficiently healed. You can wait up to 2 weeks to start getting postpartum belly massages or wait for the doctor’s go-ahead to do so. This recommended practice is to get the massages for 40 continuous days after delivery.
When Should You Not Get Postpartum Massage?
There are a couple of things you need to keep in mind if you are getting post-delivery massages:
Inform the massage practitioner if you have any skin issues or sensitivities like eczema or rashes. They might get aggravated during the massage.
Inform the massage practitioner if you are sensitive to any oils or medications that will be applied during the massage.
Avoid putting any product on your nipple area as the baby might ingest it.
Avoid using products with parabens as an ingredient. Parabens can disrupt hormonal functions and have been connected to breast and other cancers.
Inform the massage practitioner if you are suffering from conditions like high blood pressure or hernia. It is because care needs to be taken that the associated pressure points are not triggered.
Women with experience of regular pre-term contractions (Braxton Hicks) also need to be careful.
Women with any experience of high-risk pregnancy or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) should consult their doctor before going for a massage.
Any complications such as excessive swelling or sudden, severe headaches are conditions that require medical consultation.
Make sure that necessary support is provided to muscles that have been strained quite a bit during the massage.
Best Positions For A Post-Pregnancy Massage
The best position for getting a massage after delivery is the ‘side-lying’ position, the same as during pregnancy. It can be effective in treating specific issues of the shoulders, pelvis, and legs. Though most mothers often crave to lie face-down after lying on their sides for nine months. Some find it distracting because of breast discomfort and milk leakage.
It is best that you opt for whichever position you find most comfortable. However, take care not to use any special tables that have depressions for the abdominal area. It would cause the stomach to dangle and lead to a misaligned application of pressure. If you have any doubts, you should consult your doctor.
What To Expect During Postnatal Massage With Pink Orchid?
The Pink Orchid pregnancy massages are designed to provide you with full relaxation & joy. We take matters into our own hands when it comes to your safety & hygiene. It is essential to provide a positive ambiance to the mother-to-be to enable relaxation to her. We know clean environments are a pre-condition for the health of new mothers and babies. But what better than your own lovely house!
Pink Orchid professional therapists are well aware of all the methods and techniques of postnatal massages. They know which pressure points and areas are to be avoided so as to not provide inconvenience to the mother. If you have any medical conditions, you must inform your massage therapist. We will make sure to provide the best possible care keeping in mind your health conditions. So book now - Pink Orchid Home Massage Sessions for your own comfort. Our aim is to make you comfortable and help you lighten up.
FAQ
1. How Long After Giving Birth Can You Get A Massage?
You can start receiving massage therapy immediately after coming home in normal deliveries. If you have had a C-section, then It is best to wait until the wound is healed before starting massages.
2. How Important Is Postnatal Massage?
Postnatal massages are a massage therapy designed especially for new mothers. It helps them to readjust and realign their body to pre-pregnancy levels. Postpartum massages also help new mothers relax, relieve stress and pain, and feel better overall.
3. Is Massage Necessary After Delivery?
Postnatal massages help to regulate hormones like prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones are responsible for regulating your mood and breastmilk supply. These massages also help reduce swelling, relax muscles, reduce the risk of mastitis, and have several other benefits.
Takeaway
Postpartum massages have several advantages associated with them. Simply speaking, they are a tool of healing for new mothers. They help regulate hormones, increase milk production, reduce swelling, and soothe nine months of muscle tension and stress. If nothing else, it offers you a time period to relax. Before beginning postnatal massage sessions, consult with your doctor & take a green signal. Rest, we'll take care of you.
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