Did you know that our skin is the largest organ in our body and positive touch is essential for us to thrive? Sensitivity to touch begins in the womb at around 7 weeks, it is our first sense, and by 20 weeks you can often feel your baby push back at you in response to your gentle touch and the sound of your voice. During pregnancy positive touch through simple massage can have a profound impact on the connection between mother, father and baby which can endure long after the birth.

Why learn Pregnancy Massage?

Using touch & massage in pregnancy will benefit you all: mum, dad & baby!

• Less Stress – Research has shown that using massage (even just 20 minutes twice a week) leaves mothers-to-be feeling less anxious and sleeping better. Giving massage is also relaxing for the father-to-be!
• Can Help with Labour & Post-natally – The same group of mothers in the research had fewer complications in labour and post-natally.
• Connection – It helps the dad connect with his growing baby and his partner’s changing body (also helps mum feel more positive about her changing body). When the baby is born dad and baby are likely to feel more connected.

Why learn Massage for Labour?

• Massage Relaxes You – it does this by stimulating the release of endorphins (your body’s feel good hormones) into the bloodstream. Anxiety & discomfort during labour cause stress hormones like adrenaline to be produced which can slow things down. Massage & relaxation help to ensure that there will be more endorphins & less adrenaline.
• Pain Relief – During contractions the pressure of firm & sustained strokes can block pain messages travelling to the brain (similar to the effect of a TENS machine). Endorphins are also your body’s natural painkillers.
• Helps Recuperate Between Contractions – Gentle & rhythmic massage between contractions can help soothe and calm the mum so that she can generate new energy for the next contraction.
• Communicates Love & Support – The presence of a caring & supportive birth partner has been shown to be very positive in labour. Massage is a simple tool to prevent dads from feeling helpless or “in the way”. Dads become an active participant in the birth.
• Confidence – The more prepared you are the more empowered you feel which puts you in the best frame of mind for labour.

Orla has undertaken rigourous with Wellmother which equips her for teaching Dads & birth partners massage for pregnancy & incredibly useful massage techniques for labour. The session usually lasts around 60 to 90 minutes and covers basic techniques appropriate for each trimester, pain-relieving & relaxation techniques for labour, breathing exercises and advice on appropriate positions for labour. The mum-to-be's home is usually the best place for the tutorial as we can then identify props that would be useful during the first stage of labour such as furniture, swiss ball, bean bags, etc, and learn the massage techniques using these.

A full handout is provided for participants as well as a bottle of Labour Massage Oil and a useful colour Step by Step Guide to Massage for Pregnancy & Labour from Vital Touch.

To book an appointment please contact Orla on 07854 196 955 or email info@orla-beaton.co.uk.