You might have heard all about the benefits of pregnancy massage, helping you ease your aching muscles and supporting your changing body as baby grows.
But have you heard of post natal massage?
The biggest change your body will experience is the moment your baby is born, and no matter how they are born, your body moves from pregnant to not pregnant. It might not feel it at the time, but this is a relatively short amount of time for such a massive change to your body.
Understanding your post-natal body
Your core muscles are no longer stretched and taut, but soft and pliable, forming a wonderfully pillowy cushion for your baby to snuggle against. Your centre of gravity shifts massively as the weight of the pregnancy, waters, placenta are quickly birthed earthside. Your internal organs, having slowly shifted and moved as your baby grew inside, are now able to return to their original position. Your body still moves and feels as though it is pregnant, full of ligament softening hormones and perhaps an altered walking stride.
The matrescence, the birth of the mother, has happened and is happening.
The importance of post-natal care
Caring for a post-natal person, whether they are a mother or not, is one of great importance. Many different cultures honour this time in many different ways, the core of which is rest, recovery, bonding, time to heal, good food to eat. Rarely does our Western culture allow for this to happen, ushering the new mother or the newly no longer pregnant person, home, maybe with support, maybe not. To heal, learn, cope and muddle through those early days.
The benefits of post-natal massage
Post natal massage is done in your home for the first few weeks, once you feel ready. The massage therapist will gently and unobtrusively work around your baby and their needs. Finding a time that suits, finding positions that are comfortable. Easing away the tension from your healing body, sleep disrupted nights and awkward feeding positions. The massage therapist will listen, will not offer any judgement, will hold your space gently and with honour. If appropriate they may sign post you to other services or information to support your healing journey.
