PreNatal and Post Partum Massage

Pregnancy is an amazing time in a woman's life, and it can come with quite a collections of aches, pains, and concerns. Many of these issues are relieved with massage. At Alchemy, we use a comfortable, secure, side-lying position.

The American Pregnancy Association states “Women can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy – during the first, second, or third trimester.”

We combine calming Swedish massage, gentle range-of-motion work, stretching, targeted deep tissue, CranioSacral Therapy, acupressure, and reflexology. Alchemy's therapists use the modalities and techniques most appropriate for their client that day, one pregnant Mom may need relief from sciatic pain, while another may need relaxation and stress relief.

Nurturing the Mother®
At Alchemy our pregnancy massage utilizes a comfortable, secure, side-lying position to avoid undue pressure on a growing abdomen and the lower back. Mothers are completely supported by pillows, keeping the top hip, knee and ankle on the same level to avoid pulling on the sacroiliac joint and to maximize blood and lymph circulation.
Sessions often combine the following techniques and modalities.

• Calming Swedish massage strokes for deep muscle relaxation, tension release and increased circulation.
• Gentle range-of-motion and stretching movements to relieve pressure through neck, shoulders, rib cage, lower back and hips and to promote greater strength, flexibility and balance.
• Deep tissue work in the hip and gluteal area to help alleviate chronic lower back and hip pain.
• Abdominal massage to relieve round ligament pain, support digestion and increase circulation to the placenta and baby. Also increases awareness of the baby. The baby will feel and benefit from the massage.
• Lymph Drainage Therapy to reduce pregnancy-induced edema (swelling).
• CranioSacral Therapy for balance and centering.
• Acupressure and reflexology techniques shown to be effective in treating many common pregnancy related complaints.

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PRENATAL MASSAGE SPECIALISTS

Yes, many massage schools to give their students an introduction to prenatal massage. At Alchemy we require our therapists providing this service to be certified, because there is a lot more to learn about safely and effectively providing massage during pregnancy and post partum.

Elizabeth Sanders, LMT

Elizabeth Sanders, LMT is certified in Clinical Massage Therapy and is a certified Nurturing the Mother® therapist. She received her Prenatal and PostPartum massage training with with Claire Marie Miller. Elizabeth is an experienced therapist with training in Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Myofascial Release. Elizabeth received her massage education in Hawaii at Hawaii Healing Arts College on the island of Oahu.

Erin Kennedy, RMP

Erin Kennedy, RMP has been practicing massage in the Annapolis area for over 17 years. She has a wonderful intuitive touch, knows how to find and help areas that are challenged, and is effective with myofascial release and deeper work when needed.
Erin is certified in Nurturing The Mother® PreNatal massage and has worked with countless women to bring a comfort and ease to their pregnancies and post partum. She is also certified in Nurturing The Mother® Fertility Massage, expanding her offerings and support for women and families during the family building season. Erin has had the privilege of attending more than ten births as an amateur doula.

Amelia Mitchell, LMT, LLCC, BCTMB

Owner Amelia is certified in PreNatal and Fertility Massage with many years of experience.  Currently her practice is limited to Lymph Drainage Therapy. She does consult with clients and works with Alchemy's therapists to provide parents to be with the best support we can offer at Alchemy.

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"Our culture tends to place nearly all of the focus on the new baby, often overlooking the vital needs of the woman who is becoming a mother. I feel very strongly about the importance of supporting women and their partners throughout this remarkable journey, thereby empowering them to be better caregivers and role models.."

- ERIN KENNEDY, RMP

Reduce Discomfort during Pregnancy

• Pregnancy Massage helps reduce the following discomforts:
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Lower back and abdomino-pelvic pain
  
• Swelling and edema
• Leg pain and cramps
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Indigestion

All of Alchemy's therapists who do PreNatal work are certified and fully trained in precautions/contraindications during pregnancy. We will refer to the mother's healthcare provider when necessary.

Research

Research from the The Touch Research Institute of Miami has shown that pregnancy massage:

• Helps control blood pressure
• Strengthens the immune system
• Directly effects the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and its consequences for mother and baby
• Alleviates anxiety and depression
• Strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery
• Allows for deeper breathing and a better night's sleep
• Helps keep skin supple to prevent stretch marks
• Maintains body posture and balance
• Enhances self-image
  
• Shortens hospital stay
  
• Reduces postpartum depression
  

Postpartum - Baby is Always Welcome

Massage in the postpartum period helps bring the body into its pre-pregnancy alignment. A massage within the first week of postpartum also simply feels wonderful.

• Relieve sore and achy muscles
• Supports and enhances the realignment process, with a focus on the pelvis and ribs
• Assists breast feeding, alleviating tightness, helps with some breast feeding difficulties
• Aids in the process of the uterus returning to normal size
• Releases shoulder, neck and arm tension from the care and feeding of infant
• Helps relieve tension from the birth process
• Helps the mother regain vital energy (chi) to reduce fatigue
• Supports fluid balancing
• Encourages pelvic and abdominal organs to return to pre-pregnant positions
  
• Baby is always welcome to come to the session, a pause for breastfeeding or a moment of cuddling is common during post partum massages.
  

Labor Support

Massage is a wonderful support to labor and may be performed by a massage therapist, a birth partner or a Doula. Techniques include relaxation strokes, jaw release techniques, lower back compression to reduce the pain of back labor, as well as movement with massage and pressure points.
Massage has been shown to reduce labor time, labor pain and even technical intervention.

At times, Alchemy therapists are available to provide Labor Support massage for established clients. Please discuss this at your next session.

Amelia highly recommends that families have a Doula for labor support, and she will happily provide referrals.