Along with the joys and excitement of pregnancy, there also comes the aches and the pains… at any stage! If you’ve never been pregnant before you may think that’s its only closer to the end of a birth parents’ pregnancy that they become tired and the extra weight and fluid seems to take its toll. This is not always the case. One can experience discomfort throughout their entire pregnancy and into their postpartum period. Making small humans is a lot of work!
Massage therapy is a safe and effective tool to aid with muscle tension, fluid retention, create sound pelvic alignment and help with postural changes from the very first week of pregnancy and beyond. All Registered Massage Therapists have received specific training in pregnancy and postpartum massage. With the aid of special positioning and propping, birth parents and their pregnant bellies feel supported and cared for while receiving a very well deserved massage.
Massage therapy is actually of the most benefit to the pregnant client from early in the first trimester onwards. The earlier one can start to receive massage therapy, the better the outcome for pregnancy related aches and pains, fluid retention, pelvic alignment and postural changes.
As previously stated, one of the goals of pregnancy massage is to obtain sound pelvic alignment. This will help the baby sit in the best position possible, can aid in more physical comfort for the birth parent, and may create a better birth experience. RMT’s cannot “turn” a baby, but they can help create a comfortable home for the parent and the baby.
In the postpartum period, massage therapy is a wonderful medium to treat breastfeeding related muscle tension, continue to support sound pelvic alignment, and provide much needed self-care and nurturance for new, exhausted birth parents.
Stephanie Maxwell ’14 is one of the instructors who supervises the student treatments at the S-C Pregnancy Clinic along with Odette Oliver ’97. Both Stephanie and Odette are experienced Registered Massage Therapists.
Our S-C Pregnancy Clinic is currently running Fridays until April 26 4:30 & 6:00 pm and Tuesday, April 23 at 1:00 & 2:30 pm. Appointments are $18 for 1 hour treatment. You can book by phoning 416-924-1107 ext. 10.
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