Postpartum Massage

During the nine months of pregnancy your body slowly grows through extraordinary physical and chemical changes. Shortly after delivery there is an immediate shift toward the non-pregnant state. For most women this involves frequent urination and perspiration, continued uterine contractions, production of lochia (vaginal discharge), and general soreness and fatigue from the hard work of labor. Many women also go through a period of “postpartum blues” as the body deals with rapid hormone shifts and as you adjust emotionally to post-pregnancy life with a very needy newborn.

Postpartum massage is meant to help the new mom recover from pregnancy and labor. Providing gentle abdominal massage is thought to stimulate and return your organs to their pre-pregnancy state whereas abdominal connective tissue massage helps the stretched skin and underlying tissues regain elasticity. General circulatory massage is applied to help your body remove any built up toxins and aid in the general “flushing” that the body is undergoing. Therapeutic moderate and deep tissue massage provides structural rebalancing to the hips and low back as those tired and stretched muscles and joints accommodate post-pregnancy size and bring relief to exhausted and sore muscles that supported you throughout labor. Massage can help minimize much of this discomfort, as well as promote relief of any fatigue or anxiety you may be feeling.

During these months we commonly see new postpartum aches and pains, as breastfeeding women develop aching shoulders, necks and upper backs from all those hours holding, nursing and loving that newborn and sleeping (or not sleeping!) in unusual positions while nursing in bed.
Postpartum massage is usually safe immediately to 24-hours after you’ve given birth. We typically see people within 10 days of having the baby, but exactly when you schedule that massage depends on how you feel and your individual situation, some women want it within the first week, and others want to wait a few weeks so they can adjust a bit more to the changes. Most new moms need to balance major schedule changes including breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and childcare before they can make it in for a massage. Whenever you are able to get in for your first postpartum massage – it’ll be well needed and deserved!

If your delivery had complications or involved surgery (C-section delivery), we will need to discuss modifying the massage to ensure your comfort and safety. Most women will need to wait three weeks post surgery, though occasionally, we can do a modified treatment before that three week mark.

For moms who are unable to find childcare or unable to leave their infant at home with a caregiver, we make allowances for you to bring her baby into the office. You can bring a caregiver to the office as well, or with your permission the girls up front will keep an eye on your baby or you can bring the baby into the massage session with you. If you nurse in bed and the baby becomes hungry then you can lay on your side for the massage and nurse under the sheets during your session. Otherwise if you are pumping or formula feeding, you can bring a bottle and the girls will gladly feed your little one. This is not ideal, as it limits mom’s ability to reap all the benefits of the massage, but it is definitely do-able.

While most women can’t wait to go face down on the massage table for their postpartum massages, we still sometimes need to make some modifications. We provide clean super absorbent towels for moms concerned about leaking milk. We also continue to use special pillows to prop and support mom’s body and to take the weight off potentially tender or painful breasts. If you have any questions about postpartum massage, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call (323) 549-0070.

Find out about Mother Roasting - A very special Postpartum session.

• Mother Roasting - Special Postpartum Session