Pregnancy, Labor, Postpartum Bodywork

Comment

Comment by Kyle Norman on July 25, 2010 at 10:37am

Hi all. Recently I had a question from a client. If there are places on the body that one should be careful around during pregnancy, are there spots or techniques that could help promote/facilitate conception? Any and all thoughts would be welcome. If anyone believes this should split to a separate discussion, feel free to do so.

Comment by Robert Jones on July 16, 2010 at 10:15pm

I wish I lived closer and could attend. But, I have taken the Mercier Therapy training that works not only for fertility, but for other female pelvic health issues.

Comment by Desiree Zeller, LMT, BCTMB on July 16, 2010 at 3:37pm

Hey ya'll. If you live near Virginia you may be interested in the Claire Marie Miller Fertility Massage Certification Seminar coming up in August. We need some more people to make it a go. Expand Your womens' bodywork practice!!!!! Google; Nurturing the Mother Seminars.

Comment by Renee Rainbow on April 16, 2010 at 8:28am

Leslie and Rebecca,
Thanks so much for your suggestions. I will follow up and order those items.

Comment by Rebecca Overson on April 15, 2010 at 8:47am

Also Renee, I would definitely suggest that you have someone teach the class who is currently practicing and well-versed in pregnancy massage. In my experience, this is critical for being able to instill confidence in other therapists and prevent prenatal massage myths from being perpetuated.

Comment by Rebecca Overson on April 15, 2010 at 8:44am

Renee,

I second Leslie's suggestions - her DVD and Elaine's book are fantastic and I use them in training and mentoring therapists at my clinic. I also recommend taking a live class (there are several offered) somewhere near you.

Leslie, I would love to consider going to Uganda. My husband lived in Uganda for four months, and several of my family members have done humanitarian service in Ghana in the last few years (teaching sign language at schools for the deaf). I'm sure anyone in my family would jump at the chance to create another excuse to head over to Africa... please email me: info@SLCPrenatalMassage.com

Thanks everyone!

Comment by leslie stager on April 15, 2010 at 1:11am

Greetings fellow massage therapists.
I am writing after spending 2.5 months in Uganda, working with an organization building a maternity clinic in a village, and also working in a functioning maternity center that does many births each month. The conditions of living and medical care in Uganda are challenging, and everyone will say that their life is made of struggling and suffering.
Working in the clinic I found is that many many women are very open to receiving nurturing massage during their labors, as otherwise they get very little, if any, nurturing support during their labor (not to mention throughout the rest of their lives). WHen I would touch them during labor, they would beg me to not leave them alone again, and all those who were open to my caring, were able to respond later that it helped them so much to alleviate pain and fear.

At this clinic, as in most in Uganda, if women can make it to a clinic from their villages (there is no transport for most, so they may have to walk many km to get there), they must bring with them supplies for birth, including a big plastic bag which serves as a sheet on the exam table where they give birth. That is the only covering for the table. THey must also bring gloves for the practitioners, and all blankets and care for the baby. This may all cost too much for many woman, and in addition to the difficulties of transport to the clinic, and the cost to get service at the clinic, many do not come, and maternal or infant deaths are not uncommon. They also must bring an attendant, as the hospital does not provide food, bed coverings, or other care besides straight medical care. The Attendant buys and cooks food for the patient, and helps with their needs.

When I return to the STates, I will begin exploring whether there might be interest for a group of massage specialists to travel together to offer their services for some period of time in Uganda. Massage for the women in labor, as well as for those in the rest of the clinic is needed.IT is a great way to get experience doing massage for women in labor or work as a doula.

There is definitely a need for doctors, nurses, and midwives there as well, but I think that massage therapists could be a great addition to the staffing of the whole clinic.. to offer massage to the staff, and to offer massage to all the patients, not just in maternity.

These people have all been traumatized by years of war, and by HIV and the loss of whole families to the disease, and by poverty and a corrupt government. And yet they have a remarkable faith and beauty that carries them through the losses and tragedies. I found it incredibly sad, and incredibly inspiring.

If anyone has interest in this type of volunteer work, for massage therapists and for other medical staffing, please get in touch with me!

Comment by leslie stager on April 15, 2010 at 12:58am

HI Renee
Check out Mastering Pregnancy Massage DVD, which is the most comprehensive (3 hours) instructional film on pregnancy massage available. No other DVD compares with that at this point... others are very very basic. This one is like taking a class.

ALso, check out the films at MotherTouchFilms.com for instructional in labor techniques, and my book: Nurturing Massage for Pregnancy: A Practical Guide to Bodywork for the Perinatal Cycle. It is extremely comprehensive and focused specifically on what is iimportant for massage therapists to know during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Its filled with technique instruction, photos, and there are online video clips as well. Through the book, you can access online materials available for instructors with class guidelines and outlines for setting up your own classes. That might be very helpful for you. WHen you get the book, on the inside cover is a scratch-off code to help you gain access to the material online.

Elaine Stillerman also has a textbook covering similar material. Prenatal Massage: A Textbook of Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum Bodywork. These two books are the only full texts and the best out there at this point focused on this topic.

Comment by Renee Rainbow on April 14, 2010 at 12:16am

Hi Rebecca and all,
I am the lead therapist in the spa I work in and have been doing massage for 25 years. It has been a while since my pregnancy massage training. Do you have any suggestions for books or dvd's to help me organize a pregnancy massage class for the massage therapists at the spa?

Comment by Elaine Stillerman, LMT on March 8, 2010 at 2:56pm

And let us not overlook the belly supports recommended for late pregnancy by obs and midwives to help lift the belly.. (If only these women were taught how to use their transverse abdominis muscles correctly. But that's another discussion...). Women with abdominal pressure and backaches have been wearing abdominal slings and belts for relief, but these slings and supports are actually more restrictive than the body cushions since they work against gravity. Yet no one in this discussion has even brought them up or suggested that they increase intrauterine pressure. In fact, they don't either.

When used correctly, the body cushions are safe. They decompress the exaggerated lordotic curve, support the uterine ligaments, enhance lymphatic drainage, reduce hemorrhoid discomfort, encourage the OP baby to turn to OA, reduce sciatica, etc. And clients love them!.

Elaine Stillerman, LMT
www.MotherMassage.Net

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