What Makes it a Postpartum Massage
You could get a massage anywhere but do they understand what is happening within the postpartum body?
Our postpartum massage is not just a regular massage. There are many things we take into consideration while working on someone who just had a baby. Let’s talk about the practical logistics of the massage, the physical components, why the emotional side matters and the timing of your session.
Practical - The Table! Everyone loves our table. Often it is the first time someone will lay face down after pregnancy. Our table has a unique feature for optimal breast positioning. Once the client is face down on the table, we press a button and the breast portion lowers. Relieving excess pressure, making it more comfortable. We also use folded towels to prop under your shoulders to open up her pectoral muscles, and begin the unrolling process. When caring for a new baby we are constantly rolled forward cradling our baby, which takes a toll on our neck, shoulders and upper back.
Physical You just went through pregnancy, labor and birth. There are things your massage therapist should be aware of.
During pregnancy your body produces a hormone called Relaxin. This hormone helps your ligaments become loose so that your hips can expand to make room for the baby to move through your pelvis. This Relaxin not only effects your hips but all the ligaments in your body. It can take a few months for the ligaments to strengthen. If you are breastfeeding your ligaments will remain slightly loose until you stop. We want to be careful with the traction of limbs as well as stretching.
Neck and shoulder focused work. As I mentioned, we are constantly cradling our baby. We focus on mom’s shoulders and neck to help unwind that tension. Our pecs are often shortened/tighten from this position so we work to lengthen them. People are often surprised at the soreness of their lats and ribcage. We address all of this.
Abdominal Massage (always optional) a very important area we don’t want to overlook. Our skin and muscles just did all of that stretching and carrying for all those months, and we need to nurture it. Abdominal massage does just that. Using soothing strokes we will remind the abdominal muscles to engage and move inward, helping with the progression of strengthening them with time. *This will not address/touch a cesarean scar. Caroline can work on scars if the client desires and when it has appropriately healed.
Hips. The area everyone wants to focus on during pregnancy. What is happening now? Our abs are not strong yet, so our low back takes the brunt of the work. Along with that the glutes can clench, trying to help out the low back. So when addressing the low back we want to make sure we are also working on the glutes.
Stillness and taking it slow. I believe this should be part of every massage, but especially in a postpartum massage. Being a mom is a time of constant contact, constant moving, constant thinking of your baby/children. I want this hour to help regulate your nervous system, so that when you return home you are able to mother in a more balanced state.
Emotional Having a baby is a transformational experience that also brings up many emotions. Seeing clients in those early stages of motherhood, whether it is your first or your fifth, it is a very sacred time and we are prepared to hold that space. We are not mental health therapists, and we are not here to solve anything. But we are prepared for any emotion that may arise.
Timing You can book your postpartum massage anytime you feel ready. While we have seen people in the early days/weeks of postpartum, most people are not ready to venture out until about a month out from birth. Sometimes people will bring along their spouse, family or friend, to sit with the baby while she is receiving her massage. That way she is accessible if needed. She can arrive early and feed the baby before the session and also can feed the baby right after if needed. If people ask to bring their baby, we welcome that in the first 3 months. However, we do experience the baby not always cooperating during that time and we may need to take time out of the massage to tend to the baby. Ideally, you book it for when you feel comfortable being away from your baby for a short time.
We call our session Postpartum Massage through the first year. While postpartum in many ways lasts forever, we believe it is also important to shift the mindset. The one year mark is a big milestone and we often feel we are turning a new chapter. There is a little more time to focus on you. You can then book a Women’s Wellness Massage and this can support you through the transition of more exercise, taking more time to yourself, taking care of your body in between children and beyond.
Bottom line When your session is complete, you should feel rested and rejuvenated. You are busy taking care of a baby, this hour we are taking care of you.
Written by Caroline O’Neill, the founder of the BBBC.