Pregnancy is indeed one of the best feelings for a woman. Not only does it bring a glow to the soon-to-be mother’s face, but it also causes a lot of changes in the body, albeit for good reasons. As you progress in the pregnancy, you will experience several special and priceless moments, from hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time to feeling the first kick. The journey is truly surreal and nothing less than magic. Giving birth is magical too. But every new mother must invest in self-care. In this article, we will talk all about postpartum massage and why it is important.
While with pregnancy, you can expect the usual problems, like morning sickness, lack of appetite, loss of sleep, etc, the problems escalate further once you deliver your baby. Though there are several proofs of postpartum consequences, many people still ignore the struggles a woman has to endure after childbirth. One such issue is body aches, muscle cramps, and so on. For the time being, taking medicines can alleviate discomfort, but it is not always recommended, especially if you are a breastfeeding mother. Postpartum massages can be of great help in such situations.
In This Article
- What is Postpartum Massage?
- When Can You Get a Postpartum Massage After Delivery?
- Top 5 Benefits of Massage After Delivery
- Best Positions For Post-Pregnancy Massage
- Postpartum Massage Techniques
- When Should You Avoid Postpartum Massage?
- Precautions For Postpartum Massage if You Had C-section
- FAQ’s
What is Postpartum Massage?
From the name itself, you can understand that postpartum massage is a massage for women who have given birth. Usually, after delivery, a woman goes through several physical and mental changes. These changes are not easy to accept, and if you have other problems, overcoming hurdles is almost difficult. Studies have shown how the challenges can cause you to slip into postpartum depression in some cases.
This is why you need to address the concerns at the earliest. Mental and physical well-being is not just crucial for you but also for your newborn. So, getting a postpartum massage is not a bad idea, especially when you are still struggling to adjust to this new life. Like any other massage types, postpartum massage comprises full-body massage using the best technique to stimulate your nerve endings, relax the muscles, and promote your overall health.
When Can You Get a Postpartum Massage After Delivery?
To be honest, there is no specific time duration for which you can get a massage after delivery. Since the problems usually start after one month of childbirth, you can opt for this massage treatment for only one and a half months. If your pregnancy is complicated, it is better to visit your gynecologist and discuss the same to know if your body is ready for the massage.
Similarly, if you have a C-section, it is better to wait for at least three to four months before you have your first massage session. This is because the stitches need time to heal completely, allowing the muscles to repair themselves.
Top 5 Benefits of Massage After Delivery
Here are some of the top benefits of postpartum massages.
1. Improve Emotional State
As we have said earlier also, the postpartum period is not easy for any woman. It can often drive a person crazy and lead to postpartum depression. This is why you should get a massage without any hesitation. The massage techniques will help your mind to relax and ease the tense state. You will feel more refreshed and gain enough clarity. If your emotional state is currently on haywire, the massage will further help restore your emotions’ stability.
2. Allow Your Muscles to Repair Faster
Managing a newborn with pain is not an easy task. When you have a normal delivery, the internal muscles suffer a lot of wear and tear due to contraction. Although the pain subsides once gestation is over, you will feel sore in your legs, lower back, lower abdomen, and some other areas till six to seven months. So, if you want relief from the excruciating muscle pain and soreness, a full-body postpartum massage sounds like a great workaround.
3. Decrease Swelling
During the pregnancy, you will find several body parts swelling up due to fluid accumulation. After gestation, the swelling doesn’t go by itself. Instead, most doctors suggest waiting till the effect wears off or opt for heat treatment as that can fasten the fluid drying process. Another popular workaround is a massage that will ease blood flow in different body parts and drain the lymphatic fluid. As a result, your swelling will reduce significantly over time, and you can easily move around.
4. Improve Sleep Quality And Time
Sleep is something that sounds almost like a dreamy word for every new mother. From changing diapers late at night to tending to your wailing baby, you need to be there, even in the middle of the night. This routine can impact your sleep pretty badly and result in a sleepless night. You will start feeling frustrated and irritated without catching a wink of sleep. This is why opting for postpartum massage sounds great. It will relax your nerves and help you sleep comfortably during the night.
5. Regulates The Hormones
Another major benefit of a postpartum massage is the regulation of hormones. The techniques are chosen so the endocrine system can be targeted to balance your hormones and limit health impacts.
Best Positions For Post-Pregnancy Massage
Surgical issues must restrict sleep on your back or your stomach. The best position to get the postpartum massage is sideways. This is why lay down on your side and use a pillow to support your back. It will give the masseur open access to your stomach, which certainly needs the massage.
Postpartum Massage Techniques
Several postpartum massage techniques are being followed based on the health problems you are facing. These are
- Swedish massage: Considered a classic technique, it involves manually kneading and stretching the muscles.
- Acupressure: Pressure is applied to the trigger points in your muscles to relieve tension.
- Foot reflexology: In this, pressure is applied to the trigger points under your feet to stimulate the nerve endings and other parts of your body.
- Herbal baths: Infusing several herbs in water and allowing you to soak yourself in the same for an hour or so to promote relaxation.
- Jamu massage: Used for tummy flattening here, a blend of leaves, flowers, and bark is used along with the black volcanic stone.
When Should You Avoid Postpartum Massage?
Here are some situations when you should avoid a postpartum massage.
- You must avoid the postpartum massage until the C-section scar has healed completely.
- If you have any other health complications, massage needs to be stalled.
- If you have an abdominal hernia, massage is not recommended.
- Such massages should be avoided if you are bleeding.
Precautions For Postpartum Massage if You Had C-section
- You should not lie on your stomach during a postpartum massage, as that can cause more harm than good.
- Do not use any mineral oil or wax for massage since it can cause more harm to your muscles.
As more women become conscious of their health, everyone must know about the benefits of massage. In this discussion, we have shed light on the usefulness of postpartum massage for every mother and how it can establish sync between your physical and mental health. Just ensure to choose the best massage parlor.
FAQ’s
1. Which Oil is Best For Postpartum Massage?
Several oils ensure you can feel the maximum benefits of postpartum massage. Some of these are mustard oil, ginger oil, coconut oil, almond oil, and lemongrass oil.
2. Why do They Massage The Uterus After Birth?
Massaging the uterus after birth is crucial to reduce inflammation and flatten the stomach.
