Prenatal Massage
Pregnancy places unique physical demands on a woman's body. Almost from the moment of conception, profound changes are taking place in the female physiology. The muscles and joints undergo months of unfamiliar stresses and shifting weight gains accompanied by aches and pains.
Prenatal massage can help safely alleviate the backache, swelling and stiffness associated with pregnancy. And, therapeutic massage provides natural, drug-free pain relief that is completely safe for mother and child throughout all three trimesters. Massage can actually aid the gestation process by supporting the work of the mother's circulatory, respiratory and endocrine systems. The effects of receiving massage help reduce painful swelling and sooth the nervous systems of both mother and child.
Massage also prepares the pelvic muscles to provide support during childbirth. Regular massage therapy helps alleviate stress on the weight bearing joints of the hips, knees and pelvis. It can even lessen the pain of delivery.
Doula Services
A doula provides emotional and physical comfort during labor, as well as, informational support. She is by your side throughout the entire labor, allowing your partner the freedom to remain face-to-face and fully involved.
Having a massage therapist provide doula support can be especially calming in the delivery room. She helps ease the tension that builds during contractions and helps alleviate the pain of back labor.
According to the book, Mothering the Mother, by Dr. Marshall Klaus, hospital studies show that women who have doula labor support have:
- 25% shorter labors
- 25% fewer medical interventions needed
- 40% reduction in pain medications
- 60% fewer epidurals
- 40% less use of pitocin
- 40% reduction in the use of forceps
- 50% less chance of needing a C-section
Additional studies revealed that the babies had fewer colds, feeding problems, vomiting and diarrhea. The mothers had fewer fevers and were able to go home sooner, reported feeling bonded to the babies more quickly and reported a significantly high rate of satisfaction with their partners when compared to women who had not received doula support.
Comparison of Father to Professional Labor Support
A study that compared the role of the father with that of the doula had some interesting results. Authored by T.D. Bertsch and published in the journal of Psychosomatics in Obstetrics and Gynecology, first-time fathers were observed with comparison to experienced doulas. He found that the fathers touched their wives through only 20% of the laboring process, while the doulas were in physical contact with the mother 95% of the the labor. He also found that the fathers spent less time in the room and stood farther away from their wives than did the doulas.
A similar study was conducted by L. Chapman, reported in 1991 and quoted in the ICEA Review. In this study, twenty men were observed while attending to their laboring wives. Over half of the men were categorized simply as a WITNESS to the birth. Four of the men were categorized as a TEAMMATE, who was there to help, but needed to be told what or how to help by a nurse of his wife. Only four men, just 20% of the total, were categorized as COACH, who were actively involved in assisting their wives through breathing and relaxation exercises.
Infant Massage
Parents are instructed how to properly massage their infants. There are many benefits of infant massage including helping to promote relaxation; improving sensory integration; helping aid deeper and longer sleep; encouraging mid-line orientation; assisting in bonding and attachment; helping improve state regulation; assisting in vocalization; stimulating the circulatory and GI systems; assisting in pain relief; and enhancing neurological development.
Field, T. (1994). Infant Massage. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 3, 7-14.
Compared to preterm infants who are not massaged, massaged infants gain 47% more weight, remain awake and active a greater percentage of the observation time, better performance on the Brazelton scale, and are hospitalized on average 6 days fewer than control infants. Similar affects pertain to preterm infants prenatally exposed to cocaine and HIV. Although, these infants also show reduced stress behaviors following the study period. Depressed mothers massaging their infants and grandparent volunteers as massage therapist also suggest that both the infant and person giving the massage can reap benefits, such as fewer anxiety and stress levels. These studies also suggest infants drowsiness, quiet sleep, alertness, and tracking increases, while activity and fussiness decreases following the massage.
I have recommended using a doula to EVERYONE I know. If I ever have anymore children, this is the way I will do it! I had an epidural with my first child and I hated the experience. A natural birth with the support of a doula is the best thing for everyone!
Jessica
Kelly was there whenever my wife needed her. She was extremely knowledgable and knowing my wife was calm because of her presence made me feel much less stress.
Kurt
Kelly proveded a significant level of emotional support to both my husband and me. She made both of us more relaxed and less tense through her words of encouragement and her physical actions. My husband appreciated her involvedment and support, enabling him to be able to focus his attention on me.
Tammy
Kelly constantly reassured both my hasband and me that everything was going well and that I was doing a great job. This was especially helpful when the baby's heart rate dropped - a very stressful situation for me and my husband. She was fantastic at helping us stay calm. She gave outstanding support through two and half hours of pushing!
Amy
She was supportive in whatever was needed to keep medicated delvery at bay for as long as possible. Used massage tehcniques and comfort meaures through the entire process.
Erica
TESTIMONIALS
Kelly Crocken Figi, PTA, LMT
