Post-Pregnancy Massage & Postpartum Care
TYPE OF MASSAGE
Post-Pregnancy Massage
Post-Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy can be a long and stressful time where your body goes through many changes. There is nothing better than a relaxing massage to get your body back to its former condition. Postnatal massage focuses on strengthening the muscles and tissues that have been altered during your pregnancy, so that your body regains its strength naturally.
A postnatal massage is basically a full body massage after delivery. Massages are known to supplement blood flow and aid the release of endorphins that induce a feeling of relaxation. Postpartum massages are even specialized to cater to those specific muscles of your body that are strained after delivery.
Women who have had a normal delivery can start the postnatal massage as soon as they are back from the hospital. Usually, this is within the first five days after delivery. However, postpartum massage after a c-section can be performed only after the wound has sufficiently healed. This is generally after one to two weeks. It is better to get a go-ahead from the doctor before beginning the massage, in such a case. Also, the massage should ideally be continued for 40 continuous days to get maximum benefits. However, there are many women, mostly the working mothers, that often cut it short due to time constraints.
Breast Lactation Wellness Massage
BREAST LACTATION WELLNESS MASSAGE
Breast lactation massage could have several health benefits for young mother, such as stimulating blood flow and helping with breastfeeding. Breast lactation massage may help reduce pain that can occur when milk builds up within the breast. Also, breast massages may help prevent blockages in the milk ducts and otherwise improve the flow of milk.
HELPS WITH BREASTFEEDING AILMENTS: Lactation massage to aid in relieving pain caused by engorgement, plugged ducts, and breast redness, tenderness, and other nursing ailments.
Postpartum Belly Binding
Postpartum Belly binding has traditionally been used to provide the postpartum body the support to assist the abdominal wall muscle retraction, improves posture, support loosened ligaments and provide support to the torso while vital organs return to their pre-pregnancy size and position.
Postpartum Belly Binding the stomach offers support, stability and comfort to the muscles, skin, and internal organs to repair and bring healing to the postpartum body. During pregnancy, the vertical abdominal muscles widen and thin to accommodate growing babies, which can result in diastasis recti. This is a condition where the muscles separate and may stay separate (if not properly cared for), creating back issues, hernias and bulging of the abdomen.
The Benefits:
- Gives support to the womb after birth
- Speeds up the healing process of the uterus and provides a cleansing of blood clots
- Helps to reduce common back and shoulder pain associated with nursing by improving posture
- Helps to tone up your abdominal muscles and shape your hips after childbirth
- Relieves muscular and tendon tension throughout the torso
- Relieves water retention
- Accelerates fat burning
- Improves circulation
- Excellent support after surgical births (wait 1-2 weeks to allow proper oxygen to the wound for healing)
- Provides comfort for anxiety and PPD (Postpartum Depression)
Taping for Diastasis Recti (Abdominal Separation)
What is a Diastasis Recti?
A diastasis recti is a separation of the outer layer of your superficial abdominal muscles, which can often occur in pregnancy (although non-pregnant people can get it too). Sometimes it is called an abdominal separation or tummy muscle separation.
The linea alba is a line of connective tissue that normally joins the two halves of your Rectus Abdominis muscles together. It does not have as much stretch as the muscles around it – this means that under increasing pressure (like a growing baby), it can come apart, resulting in a separation of the muscles.
Around two thirds of women will have a diastasis recti after pregnancy. It can also occur in the non-pregnant population – usually due to a significant trauma or change in internal or external abdominal pressure.
Women over the age of 35, have had multiple pregnancies, large babies, or multiple births, such as twins/triplets, are all at an increased risk. Shorter women can also be more at risk as they do not always have as much space in their abdomen to accommodate the growing baby as someone taller!
You may see your tummy muscles ‘dome’ as you try and sit forwards, you may actually feel a gap in your abdominal muscles or see a hollow. All of these can be signs of a separation in your tummy muscles.
Uterine Massage
UTERINE MASSAGE
Fundal massage, also called uterine massage, is a technique used to reduce bleeding and cramping of the uterus after childbirth or after an abortion and to prevent postpartum hemorrhaging. As the uterus returns to its nonpregnant size, its muscles contract strongly, which can cause pain.
Uterine massage after delivery of the placenta can also promote contraction of the uterus. This involves placing a hand on the woman’s lower abdomen and stimulating the uterus by light repetitive massaging or squeezing movements.
The reason for this massage is to reduce your risk of postpartum hemorrhage and assist your uterus in shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size. The pushing and rubbing of your uterus will cause contractions also referred to as afterpains. These contractions will not be as painful as what you just went through, but still unpleasant.
One major overlooked problem in postpartum recovery are the uterine ligaments. These ligaments are meant to easily expand to accommodate pregnancy however, recovery can many times create complications. One uterine massage after birth will not usually repair the nine months they have endured under great pressure. Especially if there was some type of trauma during delivery (such back labor, cesarean, extended pushing, improper care). These ligaments have a hard time recovering just like the over stretched elastic in your waist band. If they are not properly healed the uterus cannot return to it is proper positioning and many can complications occur. Some complications are incontinence, uterine, bladder or rectal prolapse, constipation, scar tissue especially with caesarean fallopian tube blockages and future fertility issues.
This massage is generally performed every 10-15 minutes for the first hour after birth, and every 30 minutes during the second hour. After the first two hours this massage usually happens every 4-8 hours until discharge. Most new moms will get this massage, whether you deliver vaginally or via cesarean.
Postpartum Abdominal Massage
POSTPARTUM ABDOMINAL MASSAGE
Postpartum abdominal massage is an age-old traditional healing therapy. It is noninvasive, massage technique that gently manipulates the muscles and connective tissue that hold the organs in place. The intention is to guide organs (such as the uterus) to their proper position, releasing physical and emotional congestion and blockages. Postnatal abdominal massage is a wonderful way to get your body back on track after giving birth.
Whether you delivered via Cesarean section or vaginally, postpartum abdominal massage can always be beneficial to you. After giving birth, there is no question that your body has been put under tremendous amounts of stress. An abdominal massage during this time can help with pelvic floor health and digestive and bladder function. Especially in the abdominal and pelvic area where there are many new physical and emotional demands.
Benefits of postnatal abdominal therapy:
- Speeds recovery postnatal
- Helps heal diastasis recti
- Relieves constipation
- Lifts & centers the uterus
- Encourages internal organs to their proper position
- Increases fertility
- Helps regulate menstrual cycles
Causes of a Displaced Uterus
The uterus is suspended by ligaments, which allow it to double in weight during menses, stretch for pregnancy, and move freely when the bladder and colon are full. These ligaments can weaken and loosen causing the uterus to move out of position. Some common reasons of a displaced uterus are:
- Falls, car accidents, blows to the pelvic region
- Wearing high heel shoes
- Running on cement surfaces
- High impact aerobics, gymnastics, dancing, horseback riding
- Carrying heavy burdens during menstruation, and too soon after child birth
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Surgery to the pelvic region
- Chronic constipation
- Emotional armoring from sexual abuse or rape
What to Expect in a Session
Full body massage including bodywork focused on aligning reproductive and abdominal organs. Acupressure to speed recovery, thermotherapy to increase circulation and warm the womb.
How to prepare for your session:
DO NOT BOOK AFTER YOU HAVE TRIED TO CONCEIVE OR DURING YOUR PERIOD
- Book 6 weeks after a vaginal birth
- Book 3 months after a cesarean birth
- Be on an empty stomach (small meal 2 hours prior is ok)
- Try to use the restroom before your appointment
- Try to avoid foods that cause bloating, caffeine, or alcohol before your session
- Bring a faja, or warm clothes such as a sweatshirt to retain the heat from after your session
- Expect to be sore in the days following your deep abdominal massage
Aroma Anti-Postpartum Blu
AROMA ANTI-POSTPARTUM BLUE
Postpartum blues, also known as baby blues and maternity blues, is a very common but self-limited condition that begins shortly after childbirth and can present with a variety of symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, and tearfulness.
Mothers may experience negative mood symptoms mixed with intense periods of joy. Up to 85% of new mothers are affected by postpartum blues, with symptoms starting within a few days after childbirth and lasting up to two weeks in duration. Treatment is supportive, including ensuring adequate sleep and emotional support.
Aroma massage therapy with ‘postpartum essential oil’ is a great way to deal with postpartum blue. It improves or diminishes commonly experienced postpartum symptoms including depression, fatigue, stress, anxiety, relaxation, pain, sleep quality, episiotomy pain, postpartum healing, nausea, altered prolactin levels, episiotomy ulcers, maternity blues, mood lability, and feelings .
Yoni/Vaginal Steaming
YONI/VAGINAL STEAMING
Let us face it — between menstruation, sexual intercourse, and childbirth, the vagina withstands a lot. When you add changing hormones and pelvic floor issues to the mix, sometimes the vaginal area is anything but comfortable.
Vaginal steaming, commonly known as yoni steam, is a traditional healing practice that can be traced back to many cultures throughout the world. Steaming is a direct and gentle way to deliver herbal medicine to the reproductive area and heal the body.
Vaginal steaming directs herb-infused steam into your vagina. Vaginal steaming is an age-old natural remedy said to cleanse the vagina and uterus, and the entire reproductive tract. It also allegedly relieves:
- depression
- hemorrhoids
- infections
- infertility
- hormone imbalances
- headaches
- fatigue
- digestive issues
- generalized pain
Vaginal steaming has many physical benefits: Vaginal Steam Herbs are handcrafted to support a smooth menstrual cycle, reproductive health, womb wellness, and feminine empowerment. The herbal blend is formulated to help with menstrual cramps, PMS symptoms, mood swings, bloating, irregular menstrual cycles, cysts and fibroids, yeast, and bacterial infections, and enhancing fertility. Vaginal steaming helps cleanse the uterine lining, nourish vaginal tissue, improve circulation, warm the uterus, regulate menstruation, and ease period cramps and bloating. and balance pH levels.
Vaginal steaming also has energetic effects: Vaginal Steam helps to release stored emotions, clear imprints from past lovers, and heal trauma especially related to relationships, sex, power, and creativity. Steaming is a way to connect to the womb as a sacred center and channel the powerful energy of the feminine body.
Postpartum Lymphatic Work
POSTPARTUM LYMPHATIC MASSAGE
Postpartum lymphatic massage after giving birth, ridding your system of epidurals. For many women, the pain of intensive labor is too much to manage naturally. For this reason, epidurals have become increasingly common. However, while epidurals can help ease labor and birthing pains, they also come with several risks. Even after giving birth, the drugs in the epidural remain in the mother’s system. Luckily, there is a way to get rid of these drugs in the system through a simple technique: a lymphatic drainage massage.
If you are looking for a way to restore your health, immunity, inner body, and out, and to treat your body when it needs it most, then a lymphatic drainage massage will be just right for you.
CLEANSING YOUR BODY OF EPIDURAL AND OTHER BENEFITS:
An epidural can remain in the body for up to a week. During that time, it poses a risk of infection. Lymphatic drainage helps fight off these unwanted pathogens and assists the body’s healing process. It cleanses the body of epidural and any other unnatural chemicals.
A lymphatic drainage massage also has benefits for the post-natal body overall. Pregnancy can cause the immune system to run at a slower speed. An improved lymph system can give you that immune boost your body is craving.
The treatment also helps your body to reduce water retention. This can ease off swelling in parts of the body that have been affected by pregnancy such as the feet, ankles, and fingers. The flow of the lymph system and blood with this massage can reduce uncomfortable bloating.
Another benefit of this kind of post-partum care is that it can boost weight loss. The metabolic rate will increase as your lymph system improves. Weight gain from pregnancy can be a source of unhappiness for some women.
Just when you thought there could not be any more advantages to having a lymphatic drainage massage, think again! It also has shown to speed up healing in scar tissue, such as with stretch marks.
Abdominal Skin-Tightening
ABDOMINAL SKIN TIGHTENING
Many factors affect expectant and postpartum mothers’ self-confidence levels, but poor body image is among the most common. Fortunately, there are a range of effective non-invasive therapies and innovative technologies available at your fingertips to help deliver the results these patients want. Among the most popular non-invasive procedures for postpartum women are body contouring, skin tightening, and skin resurfacing for the treatment of stretch marks and C-section scars.
Skin laxity is common following pregnancy and childbirth. Loose skin around the abdomen is a top concern for new mothers, particularly those who have nearly returned to their pre-pregnancy weight but are unable to improve skin laxity on their own. To firm up loose skin, these patients often turn to non-invasive aesthetic solutions that will not impact their ability to keep up with the demands of motherhood. In other words, shorter treatment sessions and little to no downtime is ideal for these patients, making avoiding surgery and opting for therapies utilizing radio frequency (RF) technology, particularly Multi-Polar RF combined with ultrasonic cavitation, an ideal solution.
For example, using infrared light therapy, ultrasonic cavitation, and radio frequency, safely heats the skin’s deep layers to initiate more collagen production. Treatments usually last under an hour, and unlike traditional treatments, there is no downtime, bruising or pain.
When Can You Do It: “2 months after delivery and get as close to your pre-pregnancy weight as possible.”
How Long You Can Expect Results to Last: “The patient will need a minimum of four to six treatments and optimal results can be expected within three to six months of your last treatment.”
Body Contouring for Postpartum Patients
BODY CONTOURING FOR POSTPARTUM PATIENTS
Losing weight post-pregnancy is a difficult task, particularly when new moms are often short on time as they strive to meet the demands of motherhood. It can be difficult for her to get some time to care for herself, let alone have the energy to exercise. Add to this the fact that for many women who are close to their ideal weight after having a baby, stubborn pockets of fat in the abdomen, flanks, and hips can stick around for the long haul.
For these patients, non-invasive body contouring treatments with RF, available at our center , offers a safe and effective solution for all skin tones. Integrated sensors provide real-time thermal feedback to ensure patient comfort and safety, while innovative technology offers adjustable pulsed suction for more effective lipolysis and deeper energy penetration, making easier work of those more stubborn subcutaneous fat pockets. Treatment sessions may be completed in less than a half-hour per session, perfect for the busy mom on the go.
Scar and Stretch Mark Management
SCAR AND STRETCH MARK MANAGEMENT
Stretch marks develop in nine out of ten pregnancies, usually in the sixth or seventh month. These pinkish streaks around stomachs, breasts, or hips happen when collagen and elastin (the fibers that keep your skin taut) stretch and snap during pregnancy due to the pressure of rapid weight gain.
Stretch marks, medically known as striae distensae, or SD, are fine scars in the skin that run perpendicular to skin tension caused during rapid expansion of the tissue. The exact causes are still unclear, but factors include stress and small tears in the underlining layers of the skin, pre-existing factors in the skin’s makeup, and hormonal changes.
Striae gravidarum (SG), or pregnancy stripe, is the medical term for the stretch marks that occur during pregnancy. It is estimated that between 55% and 90% of expectant mothers will get stretch marks. Factors that put pregnant women at a higher risk for gaining stretch marks include younger age, a family history of pregnancy-related stretch marks, a higher pre-pregnancy BMI, and a higher than recommended pregnancy weight gain.
The beginning signs of stretch marks include a flattened appearance, pink color, and possible itchiness. Stretch marks often form as red bands (striae rubrae), revealing the blood vessel the lie toward the top of the skin. Over time, the vessels contract, and the fat lining becomes more visible, turning the bands into whiter streaks (striae albae). In dark-skinned individuals, stretch marks may appear dark brown (striae nigrae) or dark blue (striae caerulea) because of the increased concentration of melanin in the skin. Each mark can be less than a half of an inch long and only a fraction of an inch wide.
There are many ways to get rid of scar and stretch marks. Please contact our office to learn about options and details.