Second Trimester
14-26 weeks of pregnancy
Movement of the baby can be felt from 16-20 weeks. The baby responds to noise, music and to the mother’s voice. My client once told me that her baby was responding to her little daughter crying by movement.
The mother can experience heartburn and constipation, irregular painless contractions, clear or whitish mucous discharge, stretch marks, skin pigmentation, fluid retention, weight gain. Breasts become more nodular, nipples large and more pigmented. Blood pressure decreases slightly and heart rate increases by 10-20 beats per minute.
Parts of treatment: Consultation form (at first session)
Bodywork (optional breast massage for healthy breast tissue)
Advice on exercises, homecare or other useful information
Treatment time: 1-1,5 hours depending on client’s needs (including time for consultation form and the relaxation time at the end of the massage).
Position of the treatment: Supine (if comfortable for a client), semi reclined, side-lying and sitting on massage chair or birth ball. The therapist is working with the client when choosing positions to provide her comfort.
Benefits of the treatment: Physiological changes during pregnancy can result in many ailments. The treatment is able to help with improving health and make pregnancy more enjoyable. Some of the health issues are listed bellow.
Headaches
Migrains
Oedema
Heartburn
Constipation
Muscle spasm
Leg cramps
Back pain
Joints stiffness
Tension in shoulders
The Massage also improves circulation and promotes relaxation.
Massage techniques:
Effleurage
the stroke used to spread oil over the body and introduction strokes used before kneading techniques. Also used after to smooth and relax the body.
Kneading
deeper strokes but still lighter than during normal massage as body tissue is softer during pregnancy when hormones are affecting the body.
Tapotement
light fingers tapotement is used around clavicles for stimulating terminus lymphatic nodes before optional lymphatic breast massage.
Joint mobilisation
supporting lymph and blood circulation, meridian energy and working muscles and joints: Hips, ankles, knees, vertebras, shoulders and wrists (helps to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which could appear during the pregnancy)
Different techniques from Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, Maternity Reflexology or Hot Stones might be used to add benefits to the treatment.
CAUTION: Possible contraindications to the treatment:
I consider these conditions as serious and I would send a client suffering them for a professional diagnosis by the midwife or a doctor. Bodywork may be continued to support the healing process after medical diagnosis.
Severe vaginal or abdominal pain
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
Strong contractions before due date
Inability to pass urine
Severe swellings, especially face and eyelids (eclampsia symptoms)
Severe headaches and vomiting, blurry vision, symptoms of shock (eclampsia symptoms)
Symptoms of Thrombosis (pain, swelling or redness in the calves and fever)
EXERCISES
Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy body tissues are softer. This is a reason for pelvic girdle instability (symphysis pubis laxity), some women suffer during pregnancy. The mother shouldn’t stop exercising but avoid the exercises which aggravate the condition such as swimming, cycling. Work on all fours (cat exercise) works well. High intensity exercises should be avoided, even if the mother was very fit before pregnancy, because the body gets tired and over exercised faster.
There are yoga classes available in Aberdeen for ladies from second trimester, helping to promote relaxation and well being during pregnancy and postpartum.
Click here for more information including breathing and visualisation.
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR ALL TREATMENTS
Ready to find out more?
I wish you good health and will be looking forward to welcoming you personally at my practice. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.