"Emma has an exceptional knowledge of anatomy in her practice as both a massage therapist and doula. She is compassionate and thoughtful and a font of knowledge. A deeply skilled massage therapist, she is also a pleasure to talk to, and her studio is bright and welcoming." ~ Amaranth ~ Seattle Pregnancy Massage client
Prenatal Services
Seattle Pregnancy Massage offers you several options in pregnancy for relaxing both body and mind and preparing your body for labor.
Full-Body Prenatal Massages$80
Seattle Pregnancy Massage offers 60 minute full body swedish and deep tissue massage for pregnant and postpartum women our Ballard studio. The changes in the body that pregnancy brings as muscles and ligaments stretch and babies grow can put a lot of strain on the body. Muscles in the shoulders tighten, resulting in swelling in the hands and arms and pain in the neck and shoulders. The weight of the growing baby pulls the spine forwards causing pain in the lower back and hips and the shifting pelvis causes swelling and tightness in the legs and feet. Regular massage from a practitioner specially trained in prenatal massage and the physiology of pregnancy can make all the difference. The benefits of prenatal massage can include:
Studies show that bi-weekly massages for just 5 weeks showed decreased levels of stress hormones, increased levels of the hormones that guard against depression, improved mood and better sleep. |
Prenatal Foot Reflexology$80
Reflexology is based on the ancient theory that all parts of the body are mapped out on the feet, hands and ears as reflex points. By manipulating the points on these maps, the reflexologist can locate and begin to move energy blockages balancing the bodys energy flow. This aids in circulation and detoxification, reduces stress and balances emotion. How can Prenatal Reflexology help me? Pregnancy is a time of great physical and emotional change in a woman's body. Hormone levels increase, blood volume increases by almost 50% and the shifting of organs, bones and muscles to accommodate the growing baby often causes tension and pain. Regular prenatal reflexology sessions can help to alleviate some of the symptoms caused by these changes. Reflexology induces a state of deep relaxation for the body and mind, reducing the stress response and allowing the body to direct resources to where they are needed for the health of the mother and baby. In the third trimester women's feet and ankles often become swollen and can be painful. Reflexology can help to reduce the accumulation of extra fluid in the feet which contributes to the sore achy feeling many that afflicts many women's feet. Can you induce labor? We offer preparation for labor sessions from 38 weeks of pregnancy onwards for anyone facing a chemical induction who is hoping to start labor naturally. At no point do we induce labor. Certain physical conditions must be present in the body for a woman to go into labor and no reflexology session is going to send you into labor if your body is not ready to do so. We offer sessions that work with your body to prepare it for labor by working specifically with the reflexes of the endocrine, circulatory and reproductive systems to optimize hormone function and increase blood circulation. These sessions are recommended for anyone preparing for birth whether you are preparing for a vaginal or a cesarian birth. |
Our Specialized Pillow System
After the first trimester, laying on your stomach or back becomes uncomfortable. Some massage therapists get around this by using bed pillows to position a client on their side or by using a table that has a cut out for the pregnant belly. This kind of table is not ideal as laying on your front can put strain on the uterine ligaments.
Seattle Pregnancy Massage utilizes the Oakworks Side Liying Positioning System to safely and comfortably allow our clients to lay on their side. The cushions are specially contoured to the body to provide ergonomically correct support to each part of your body. No more pillows falling off the table during a massage. Our clients like it so much they wish they could take it home to help them sleep!
