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Authors:
• Charity Caudle
• Melissa Mackinnon
• Christina DiRosa
(OMTA, 2008)
Pregnancy (prenatal) massage has been Bella Maternity Services suggests that
around for thousands of years, having a doula decreases medical
appearing in many different cultures intervention in labor and provides a
and in many different forms. In the better pregnancy. Having a doula will
Indian Ayuredic medical manuals help to:
instructions can be found on how to rub Reduce the need for Cesarean
oils into pregnant patients’ abdominal operation by 50%
skin. Prenatal massage has also been
Reduce the length of labor by 25%
documented throughout art. Some
traditional Eskimo sculptures show Reduce the use of labor-inducing
fathers massaging laboring wives’ backs. drug pitocin by 40%
Pregnancy massage was also practiced
Reduce pain medication use by 30%
Nava, S. (n.d.) by doulas (midwives) in Irish hospitals.
Over thousands of years midwives who Reduce the need for forceps by 40%
provided support and eased childbearing
Reduce epidural requests by 60%
discomforts (Healthline Networks,
2008).
6 weeks after birth, mothers who
Throughout history women have relied had doulas were:
on other women during their pregnancy
Less anxious and depressed
and child birth. According to K. Kilson
doula is Greek for “women helping More confident with their baby
women” in childbirth. A doula has come
More satisfied with their partner
to be known for providing physical and
“Having a doula emotional support in a non-medical
(71% vs. 30%)
present during manner. One of a doula’s relaxation More likely to be breastfeeding
methods is pregnancy massage. Her (52% vs. 29%)
labor will help to… presence and techniques leave the
(2008).
reduce pain mother with the best possible birthing
scenario (2008).
medication use by
30%” Equipment for Pregnancy Massage
When providing a pregnant client with a
massage, there are different options for
equipment. If a therapist does many
treatments with pregnant women, they
may want to invest in a massage table
(as seen to the right) for use with
Pregnancy massage
pregnant women. As women grow
table
during their pregnancy this table has
cut outs for their stomach and breasts
and allow the women to lay prone
during their treatment. However some
Bodyscape Massage Therapy (n.d.) therapists find that there is less support
provided by these tables which causes
additional strain on the mothers
stomach (McDermott, 2008). For
therapists who do not have a special
table they use additional pillows and
towels and other supports to keep the
mother comfortable.
Pregnancy Massage Page 3 of 6
Location: 205 Bayfield Street, Unit 100 Location: 157 Bradford St.
Barrie On, L4M 3B4 Barrie On,
Tel: 705 726-5412 Tel: 705 719-9884
Fax: 705 730-6583 705 725-8632
References List
1. Bella Maternity Services (2008) Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved
November 11, 2008 from: http://www.bellamaternityservices.com/faq.html
2. Kilson, K. (2008). Doulas and Childbirth. Retrieved November 11, 2008 from:
http://home.earthlink.net/
8. Rattray, F., Ludwig, L., (2000, March). Clinical Massage Therapy: Understanding
and Assessing and Treating over 70 Conditions. Ontario: Talus Incorporated
Nava, S. (n.d.). Willow Centre for Wellness. Retrieved November 16, 2008
from: http://underthewillow.info/default.aspx