Receiving massage treatments throughout your pregnancy is a wonderful way to nurture your own body as well as your baby within. As well as exercise and a nutritious diet, regular massage helps to keep you in optimum health, easing tension, reducing stress and preventing back pain, muscle aches and other common pregnancy discomforts including headaches and constipation. Receiving pregnancy massage also gives you the time and space to deeply relax and enjoy time with your baby.

Benefits for you and baby.

As with exercise, the benefits of massage increase with regular treatments. You will become more body aware and experience deeper relaxation with each massage. You can also choose to focus on different parts of the body depending on how you are feeling and where you are carrying tension. Your baby will also benefit from your relaxed state, lowered stress levels and improved health. 

At Bella Mama we recommend taking time to have a pregnancy massage every 2 – 4 weeks to gain the maximum benefits for you and your baby.

Preparing for Birth.

Regular massage treatments can also help you to prepare for birth by improving your flexibility and posture and ensuring that you feel well and energised in the last few weeks.  Ask us about our "pre labour" treatment which includes a special essential oil blend and acupressure points and is suitable for 38 weeks onwards.  Would you like your birth partner to learn to massage you during your birth?  Private lessons and regular workshops are available.

Pregnancy Massage Specialists.

It is important when having massage in pregnancy that you ensure that your therapist is properly trained and qualified in this specialist area.  Bella Mama therapists Jo and Samantha have both gained extensive training and qualifications in pre and post natal massage both in NZ and the UK, making them experts in this field.

Six important benefits of pregnancy massage include:

• Reduces your stress levels and gives you the space to deeply relax and enjoy your pregnancy.
• Eases pregnancy aches and discomforts including back pain, pubic symphysis and aching hips and legs. 
• Reduces swelling in the legs and feet, easing the discomfort of varicose veins and achey joints.
• Benefits all the body's systems, therefore helping you realise your full health potential and benefiting your baby within.
• Helps you develop mind/body awareness.  Having regular massage helps you to become aware of where you are holding tension and being able to consciously release it.  A essential skill in the birthing room.
• Provides you with tactile nurturing support, essential in this time of great change and discovery!