Mommy Mommy - I Think You're Overdue For a Spa Day!

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I Think You're Overdue For a Spa Day!

I came across this really great article over at Belli Cosmetics. It's a complete home spa day for pregnant women. Before you start this amazing spa experience, just make sure to answer the following questions. If you answer yes to any of these questions, talk to your doctor or midwife before experimenting with massage. But if all your answers are no, then have some fun!

Are you under 18 or over 35?
Do you have Diabetes?
Persistant vomiting?
Fever?
Cold/flu systems?
High blood pressure?
Persistant or severe diarrhea?
Unusual pain or cramping?
Any existing or possible malignant cancer?
Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia?
Unusual or heavy discharge (bloody or watery)?
History of abnormalities of the placenta?
History of incompetent cervix (the cervix doesn't stay closed during pregnancy)?
Lupus?
Severe varicose veins?
History of blood clots in the veins?
Heart disease?
Severe anemia?

Preparation

Gather your supplies ahead of time. Use a clean mat or a blanket to cushion the floor, or lay down sheets to protect the furniture. Bring extra towels and pillows. Find a willing partner. Make sure their hands are clean and fingernails are short.

Create a soothing environment. Choose a clean, quiet, uncluttered room with plenty of open space. Soft, natural lighting or unscented candles are best. Fresh air is fine, but try to avoid cold drafts, muggy humidity, or loud noises from the outside. Choose background music that is gentle and rhythmic. At 20 weeks gestation, your baby can hear and remember the deep bass tones and the rhythms, but the higher tones will sound garbled.

Next, settle your stomach. The taste and scent of lemon and peppermint have long been known to calm nausea during pregnancy.

Positioning is very important. Expectant mothers may lie face down in the standard massage position through the end of the first trimester. After that, it is best to lie on your left side, which elevates the uterus off the vena cava (the large vein which returns blood to your heart). Place a pillow under the head and between the legs. The belly may also be supported with a pillow for maximum comfort.

Belli Elasticity Belly Oil 3.4 fl. oz. Massage oil is a must. Belli's Elasticity Belly Oil features the pregnancy-tested, calming aromatherapy of lavender and sweet almond oil. It also contains Gotu Kola and Tocopherol (Vitamin E)-- ingredients shown in a published medical research study to decrease both the risk and severity of stretchmarks. Most importantly, all ingredients have been carefully screened for prenatal safety by a physician and teratologist.

Basic Elements

Here are a few basic massage techniques for your partner to learn.

Effleurage: long, gliding movements over the skin which increase lymphatic flow through the tissues. This is one of the most pleasurable strokes and is typically used towards the beginning and end of the massage session.

Petrissage: kneading, pressing, rolling, and squeezing of muscles. This stroke causes deep tissue relaxation and increase the tone of muscles.

Tapotement: light rapid beating of the fingertips or hands over an area, as if you were playing the drums. This stimulatory stroke promotes muscular contraction, increases blood supply to an area, and enhances nerve responses.

Nerve stroke: very light, gentle fingertip glide down any part of the body. It's purpose is to signal the end of a massage sequence and to sedate all the nerve endings that have been stimulated.

The most important thing to remember is-- And the most important tip of all-- take your time! Don't rush. Maintain contact by keeping at least one hand on your partner's body throughout the entire massage session.

Now that you know the basic elements, let's talk about the body areas that need pregnancy massage most.

Back Massage

Pregnancy weight gain and the increasing size of the uterus make the back muscles work harder than normal, leading to back aches, muscle spasms and fatigue. We recommend a lightweight massage oil such as Belli Elasticity Belly Oil for this area.

Place one hand of the top of the shoulder for support. Effleurage from the hip up to and around the shoulder. Repeat this several times with increased pressure.

Circle your hands all around the shoulder. Effleurage up and down the neck.

Gently petrissage the muscles on top of the shoulder. Using thumbs, make tiny circles along the border of the shoulder blade. Make a larger circle around the shoulder as before using an open hand. Once you feel the muscles relax, apply more pressure.

Keeping one hand of the shoulder, make small circles on the large, ropy muscle directly beside the spine using fingertips. The pressure is toward the spine. Work from the neck down to the hip, and effleurage from the hip to the neck to complete the movement.

Support the expectant mother at the shoulder and with the heel of the palm, make a large circle on the buttock. Repeat the same circle on the sacrum (the lowest part of the back). Finish this side with a few more long effleurage strokes from the hip over the shoulder.

Remove pillows and reposition the expectant mother on her other side. Repeat the same sequence. After both sides are complete, finish the back massage with some light nerve strokes.

Legs and Feet

Pregnancy hormones cause increased water retention in the bloodstream, and gravity forces the fluid out into the tissues of the legs, ankles, and feet. This mild but uncomfortable swelling is known as peripheral edema, and tends to be worse after a long day of standing or walking. Frequent elevation of the feet above the level of your heart will help relieve the swelling.

Belli Foot Relief Cream 6.7 fl. oz. Regular leg and foot massage also helps. We recommend a cooling peppermint massage cream such as Belli Foot Relief Cream for these areas. Belli Foot Relief Cream is an aromatherapeutic peppermint and menthol treatment that leaves skin feeling cool, tingly and refreshed. Aloe vera hydrates and moisturizes as it comforts legs and feet.

A few cautionary tips to keep in mind before massaging the legs and feet:

1. Swelling that is severe or involves the face and hands may be a sign of pre-eclampsia and should prompt you to see your physician.

2. Avoid petrissage (kneading) of the calf muscles, where deep veinous blood clots can sometimes form.

3. Reflexology teaches that the areas below the ankle bones on each side of your foot are linked to the uterus and ovaries. You may want to avoid rubbing these areas much, so as not to cause early contractions or early labor.

Begin with a light stroke and effleurage the thigh from the knee to the hip several times. Repeat the movement on the back of the leg. Repeat the same stroke working deeper into the muscles.

Using open palms, make wide circles in opposing directions from the knee to the hip. Work under the thigh and stroke in the same manner.

With thumbs, make small, alternate circles from the knee to the hip.

Effleurage from the ankle to the hip, avoiding direct pressure on the knee. Effleurage from the back of the calf up to the hip.

For the foot, lift the leg a few inches and cup your left hand under the heel. Slide your right hand along the Achilles tendon toward you. Alternate with the left hand in a flowing motion. The ankle should be loose and flexible. Repeat several times.

Put the leg down to the original position. Place both thumbs on the top of the foot below the toes and with your index fingers on the sole of the foot. Since feet and ankles are probably the most swollen, take special care to begin the treatment lightly. Stroke downward with the pressure on your thumbs at the top of thefoot. On the upstroke, the pressure is on the sole of the foot. Repeat in a fluid, gliding manner getting progressively deeper. Be sure to end with a down stroke.

Slide down each toe. Gently rotate each toe 3 times in both directions.

Place one hand under the heel, the other hand grasping the foot below the toes, and gently rotate the foot 3 times in each direction.

Prepare for the end of the massage with several effleurage strokes from the ankle to the hip, front and back, and then finish with a few long nerve strokes.

Have fun with these techniques, you deserve it!

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