Massage For Relaxation

Getting a massage from your partner, or giving yourself one, is a wonderful way to relax and unwind. Massage stimulates the nerve endings in your skin, improves your circulation, and soothes tired muscles, giving you a sense of peace and well-being.

Soothing Touch

Use some good-quality massage oil (one with a vegetable oil base) to smooth your skin and make your massage more pleasurable. To create a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere: dim the lights, put on some soft music, and put some pillows or cushions around and underneath you. Later on in your pregnancy, you may find it's more comfortable to lie on your side supported by pillows, or to sit astride a chair.

You can massage most parts of your body, apart from your back, quite effectively yourself. Using the palms and fingers of one hand, work clockwise around each breast, stroking from the base toward your nipple; gently knead your nipples between your fingers and thumb. Massage your abdomen, hips, and thighs, with the palms of your hands, using smooth, circular movements.

If anyone else is giving you a massage, make sure that their hands are warm before starting and that they've taken off any rings, bracelets, or watches. When you're both comfortable, take a few deep breaths to help you relax. It's best for the masseur to begin massaging you gently. The pressure can gradually be increased if it's comfortable for you, but always keep the movements slow and gentle.

Circling Using the palms of both hands at once, make circling strokes in the same direction away from the spine. Lighten the pressure when massaging over the abdomen and breasts.

Effleurage Make light, feathery, circular movements with the fingertips as though tickling the skin. This can be done all over the abdomen during pregnancy.

Gliding Place the palms of both hands on either side of the lower back, with the fingers pointing to your head. Push the hands up to the shoulders, without exerting body weight on to the hands. Slowly glide the hands down the sides of the body back to the starting point.