What is a postnatal massage? And why I wish I had got one.
So what is a postnatal massage? Or postpartum massage…
This is the exact question I asked when I trained for my pregnancy massage qualification because in truth, I had never experienced one. I didn’t even know you could get a massage straight after giving birth. I assumed it was the same standard 6 week doctor's check - you can exercise, have sex (I mean seriously LAST thing on my mind) and you can probably get a massage…right?
Not that I felt I had any time to get a massage, let alone leave my baby for over an hour. I also didn’t want anyone to touch me really, my post-birth body felt strange and uncomfortable. The pain had gone but I still didn’t feel right. I lacked confidence and I was absolutely exhausted and overwhelmed. That was my experience with my first child, with my second I felt I had even less time to focus on anything for myself, even though I really would have benefited from a massage even more. Trying to hold a newborn and a 2 year old was definitely a strain on my body!
The thing is, I really wish I knew that I could have had a postnatal massage - because I really needed it during that fourth trimester (approx 3 months after birth) period. I needed that small time for myself to get clarity, relax and ease my aches to ensure I was able to cope with the challenges that life was throwing my way.
So that’s a bit about my postpartum experience, now let me talk about what I missed out on, and why I think postpartum massage is something that all new mums should get to experience.
Pain relief - whether you had your baby vaginally or through caesarean, physically you have been put under a lot of strain. There will be general aches and pains lingering from pregnancy, from labour and throughout recovery. And then there is feeding and holding your baby. If you are breastfeeding, getting nap trapped in an awkward position, having to carry a toddler and a baby at the same time, run a house, co-sleep - you get the gist, there’s a lot of pull on your body which can lead to tension and pain in your shoulders and neck specifically - not ideal when you’re caring for small children! Postnatal massage works on those soft tissue muscles to ease that tension, increasing circulation and encouraging the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
Hormone regulation - when you are pregnant you have an increase of oestrogen to help your baby develop, and progesterone to help your body change and grow to allow room for your baby and prepare for birth. Once you have birthed your baby these hormones decrease rapidly, the change in hormones can lead to low mood and anxiety (baby blues - which we will go on to talk about). Massage is shown to help regulate hormonal imbalance and improve your mood.
Supporting baby blues, stress and anxiety - “Baby blues” is very common in the early stages of postpartum and affects 80% of mums. It can leave you feeling emotional, irritational, down and anxious. For some women, these feelings continue and can lead to postnatal depression (both things I have personally experienced). If you are feeling stressed, your cortisol levels are much higher which leads to those anxious and fearful feelings, which can feel very challenging and upsetting when you want to focus on enjoying your new baby. Having regular massage during this joyful but also intense time adjusting to motherhood, (whether it’s the first, second, third time round etc) can help increase the happy “feel good” hormones, such as serotonin and oxytocin which can boost mood and your overall wellbeing.
Sleep - gosh this is a hot topic that always enters any conversation with mums, especially new mums! Once your baby arrives, you suddenly don't have the uncomfortable pregnancy body, you can sleep on your tummy, and you don’t need to pee all the time, yay! Oh hang on, now your baby is up various times in the night, they may have difficulty sleeping or are in bed with you, you may have anxiety about your baby sleeping and just in general sleep can be pretty disturbed. Now a postnatal massage can’t stop your sleep disruption, but what it can do is calm your nervous system and aid you with sleep. You can have space and peace to relax on the massage table (heated blanket I might add!) and this should be taken through to your everyday life and improve your sleep. So while you may still get woken by your children, you will hopefully get better quality sleep!
In terms of comfort, while you receive a postnatal massage, I know this is something which may be playing on your mind.
“But I’m breastfeeding what if I leak milk?” “My breasts are sore and tender, how can I lie down? It can feel really uncomfortable!”
Please know - we will ensure you are in the best possible position. If you are breastfeeding and feel quite tender, you can be seated or side lying, alternatively I can place pillows under your shoulders if you lie face down, to take any pressure off. In terms of leaking breastmilk, it happens and there is no judgement here - please do not worry. It is completely natural and out of your control. Wear breast pads if you feel comfortable with them, I have extra towels as well - please do not allow that to stop you from seeing me. You’re in a safe space.
One thing to note, if you have had a caesarean, I will be able to give you a massage but please speak with your doctor first to ensure everything is ok.
So if you weren’t sure what a postnatal massage was, hopefully now you do and can see how wonderfully it can support you in your motherhood journey. Book an appointment if this sounds good to you!
Some useful links are below to support you in that postnatal period.
nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/emotional-and-social-development/what-fourth-trimester
nct.org.uk/life-parent/how-you-might-be-feeling/baby-blues-what-expect
six-things-to-know-about-the-4th-trimester
nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-natal-depression/overview/
