Pregnancy symptoms like swelling, nausea, and mood swings are common, whether you're pregnant with your first child or have baby #4 on the way. Your doctor can prescribe medications and offer suggestions to help you feel more comfortable during your pregnancy, but you may still have unpleasant prenatal symptoms after taking his or her advice. Before you call the pharmacy to request a refill on your anti-nausea meds or throw out every pair of shoes except your flip flops, consider scheduling a pregnancy massage. A skilled massage therapist will design a custom session based on your unique needs, and the gentle massage may help you tackle the symptoms below.
Swelling
Many women experience swelling during pregnancy, especially in the ankles and calves. As your uterus expands to make room for your baby, it presses against the veins that carry blood to and from your heart. Hormonal changes and poor dietary habits (pickles and ice cream, anyone?) can also cause swelling.
Pregnancy massage typically doesn't eliminate swelling completely, but it can make you feel better. If your muscles are inflamed beneath the excess fluid, your body will ache. Massage gets rid of the pain by gently moving the fluid away from your inflamed muscles.
Morning Sickness
Approximately 75 percent of women experience morning sickness during pregnancy. Despite its name, morning sickness can occur day or night. Healthcare specialists are not entirely sure what causes morning sickness, but they believe it is linked to hormonal changes.
If your massage therapist is familiar with acupressure points, he or she can hold some of them down during your massage. Experts believe that wrist acupressure can help treat nausea during pregnancy.
Mood Swings
Hormonal changes can have a strong impact on your emotions, and you may find yourself crying over pet adoption commercials or getting angry with other drivers on the road. You may also have anxiety about your pregnancy or worry about what will happen when the baby comes.
Some prescription drugs are unsafe for pregnant women, so it's important to find other ways to manage your emotions. A massage releases endorphins, which are the hormones that influence the opiate receptors in your body. Endorphins convince your brain that you're happy and pain-free, which can help alleviate feelings of depression, anger, or anxiety.
Pregnancy can take a toll on your body and mind. Luckily, you don't have to suffer through the symptoms on your own. Schedule an appointment with an experienced massage therapist and experience the positive benefits of prenatal massage for yourself. For more information, contact a professional like those at Imagine Wholeness.
Share1 September 2015
After watching my mother navigate treatment for breast cancer in my early teens, I knew pretty much what to expect from my dad's diagnosis with prostate cancer. What I didn't know was how different chemotherapy and radiation can affect different people. My mother became very ill while my dad seemed to weather the treatments with few ill effects. I spent a long time researching the differences in treatments, types of chemotherapy, and how each one can react differently with the body. I created this blog to help others understand the same things, because I knew I couldn't be the only one unfamiliar with it. I hope it helps you if someone you love is facing treatment for any type of cancer.
