Massage for pregnancy, birth and beyond

There is so much change happening both physically and emotionally during pregnancy. Massage supports you through this special time.

• It cares for your body, easing overworked muscles and strengthening weakened ones

• It supports your basic posture, easing common physical niggles

• It supports your blood and lymph flow, helping swollen ankles, wrists, breasts and helping legs feel lighter

• It helps breathing and relaxation

• It helps nourish skin, tone muscles and connective tissues

• It supports an overall sense of wellbeing

• It helps you get to know your new shape

• It helps connect you with your baby

Most important of all, massage offers a quiet space to be more aware of the changes going on inside your body, to help you get to know your new shape, and time to be with your growing baby. Both you and your baby can benefit from gentle nurturing touch. Massage will help prepare you for birth and your new life afterwards.

The most important thing is to listen to your body to decide what feels right. Every pregnancy and every mother and baby are different. If anything feels uncomfortable, don’t continue and seek further advice from your medical practitioner and a qualified massage therapist.

• Good preparation for vaginal birth

• Increases elasticity and muscle tone of the perineum

• Increases confidence as you understand your body’s capabilities

You can can find more details on Weleda Perineum Massage Oil here.

The perineum is the small area of firm skin and muscular tissue between the vagina and the anus.

The perineum plays a significant role in women’s health. This muscular tissue connects with pelvic floor muscles, offering support to the pelvic organs. It works extra hard in pregnancy due to the extra weight it bears.

Tearing of the perineum during childbirth can weaken this support, making later pelvic floor problems or prolapse of the uterus more likely.

Massaging the perineum helps keep the connective tissues supple and elastic – our best defence against tearing. Massage helps increase the perineum’s capacity to stretch more easily and less painfully during birth.

Recommended from the 34th week of pregnancy, using perineum massage oil is a great way to nurture your body and prepare for birth. Massage 3-4 times a week for 5-10 minutes.

A good time is after a relaxing bath or warm shower because blood vessels in the area are dilated and this makes the perineum softer and more comfortable to touch.

Do not massage if you have any infection. Empty your bowel and bladder before starting.

Begin by placing both hands on your perineum and just relax about touching this part of your body. We can hold a lot of tension around the perineum, and releasing any tension here is good preparation for birth.

Pour a little oil into your hands and rub them together to warm them. Then gently smooth oil over the whole of your perineum. Stroke in whatever way feels comfortable for you. Get to know the different areas of skin – some soft and delicate, and some firm and more muscular which will stretch out in labour. Massage a little more firmly. You could apply a little pressure here as you breathe out.

Try doing your pelvic floor exercises. As you breathe out draw up your pelvic floor and as you breathe in, relax. Make sure that your buttocks are not tightening. Make the exercises harder by tightening the muscles gradually on your out-breath, imagining that you are going up floors in a lift. Go down the floors with the in-breath. Don’t clench your jaw: relaxing your jaw in labour can help relax your perineum.

You can also do some gentle pulsing, tightening and releasing, as you breathe out. If you feel comfortable, you can try doing these exercises with a finger or thumb inside your vagina.

In the last few weeks of pregnancy you can try stretching out the perineum to prepare for birth. To do this, place your finger or thumb inside your vagina up to the second knuckle, and gently massage in a rhythmic U shaped movement the lower part of the vaginal opening nearest to the anus (if you imagine a clock face, it’s the section from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock). This will gently stretch the vaginal tissues and muscles.

As you feel comfortable you can try increasing the pressure and adding in a stretch back towards the anus. This may sting slightly; this stinging sensation occurs when the baby’s head is born.

Perineal massage can also help tone the muscles after birth. Start gentle massage as soon as you feel comfortable, once any stitches or tears have healed.

Above all, enjoy this precious time and have confidence in your changing shape and your body’s capabilities. Nurturing and getting to know your body through massage can feel empowering. Whatever your plans, it’s the most natural way to relax and prepare for birth and parenthood.