What to Do After a Prenatal Massage
A prenatal massage is a massage given to a pregnant woman. Only licensed massage therapists should give massages to expectant mothers. There are several risk factors that must be considered and monitored for in pregnant women. After a massage there are a few things pregnant women should keep in mind to make the experience as safe and beneficial as possible.
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Warning
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Make sure to get up slowly from the massage table. Massage increases blood flow and blood pressure. Both of these can contribute to feeling dizzy when sitting up. Let the massage therapist help you down off the table. Use a step stool if the table is elevated.
Considerations
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Drink lots of water after a massage. Normally the blood will flow around muscles rather than through them. Only during exercise and massage do substantial amounts of blood pass through muscle tissue. Metabolic waste that has been sitting in the tissue is released during massage and should be cleansed from the body. Drinking lots of water flushes those wastes out of the tissue so it can reach the kidneys.
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Function
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Use the bathroom after a massage. Resisting the urge to go will increase the likelihood of developing a kidney or bladder infection and slow the cleansing process. If the wastes are not eliminated they could settle into the tissues once more or keep the urea content in the blood at an elevated level.
Prevention/Solution
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Expectant mothers should take a shower or bath soon after the massage. The creams or oils used during the massage remain on the skin along with body oils and dead skin cells that were dislodged. These should be washed away. Hands should definitely be washed before eating to keep from accidentally ingesting any of the massage cream.
Potential
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Take it easy. Massage reduces stress and is a treatment for insomnia. Pregnant mothers should plan to take it easy for the rest of the day after a massage. Pushing yourself after a massage will only wear out the body faster.
Benefits
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Enjoy. Woman can feel so uncomfortable in their bodies during pregnancy. The skin is stretched. Muscles are sore. Feet and hands become swollen. All of these symptoms can be reduced or relieved temporarily with massage. Make sure to enjoy the massage and the relaxation that follows.
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