I have not been able to drop in to much lately, I am 7wks pg. I just wanted to mention quickly about massage as I am a liscensed massage therapist and I notice alot of women have been getting much needed rub downs from dh. I just want to warn you NOT to let anyone rub/massage your feet and ankles while in your first trimester because it triggers the horomone oxytocin which causes your uterus to contract and could cause misscarrage. However, when you pass the 1st tri you can GREATLY benefit from prenatal massage...make sure you find someone who specailizes in prenatal though. Also if you have a school in your area that certifies massage therapists you can usally get a great and cheap massage from a student. The good thing...when you hit those last few days and your trying to walk the baby out...massage those ankles and get the process going!!!( if ok'd by Doc..of course) Well ladies I will check back later ↓
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Name: E586467 | Date: Jul 8th, 2008 8:43 AM
Hi breezieb I used to use the ankle massage technique to help with period pain as it does cause uterine contractions, & seemed to help get everything happening more smoothly. Wouldn't avoiding foot & ankle massage in your 1st trimester only apply to women who are high risk or prone to miscarriage? I only ask as your body releases large amounts of oxytocin when your having sex & especially when you orgasm, & every doctor I've spoken too say for a normal pregnancy sex is perfectly safe, as your uterus starts contracting (braxton hicks) from the very beginning (only you don't feel them until later). Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing that it's safe either as I don't know enough about the wonders of pressure points, but I would have thought that certain aromatherapy oils used at ANY time during pregnancy would be MUCH more dangerous than massage, as some can cause fetal damage, miscarriage & pre-term labour. Anyway it's nice to see someone caring about the well-being of these ladies & their unborn babies & I definitely agree that if you do get a massage during pregnancy, make sure they specialise in pregnancy massage. ↑
Name: breezieb | Date: Jul 9th, 2008 10:08 AM
HI E586467 - Thanks for your info. It makes sense! I am not certified in prenatal myself but we had to take a course in it for basic certification for saftey reasons. They wouldn't even let one of the students (who became pregnant) praticipate in the clinicals....she had to wait and make them up.
I was intrigued by the points you made annd looked a little further into it and here is some info I found. I hope this helps. I know I for one will be safe than sorry, but second trimester here I come!!! I can go for a massage!!! here is the info:Contraindications for Massage
• Abdominal massage totally contraindicated for 1st trimester and limited to effleurage for remainder
• Gymnastics/ ROM - do not do movements when nausea present; or when symphysis pubis separates ( 2nd trimester)
• Pressure point around ankles and Achilles tendon should be avoided; pressure point between thumb and finger should be avoided
• Swedish stokes that affect circulation should not be used in the 3rd trimester if the client has a heart condition
• Tapotement contraindicated on the legs because of the increased danger of blood clots during pregnancy
One important warning: Don't get a massage during your first trimester. There is some concern that it may increase the risk of miscarriage. Instead, begin your massages in the second trimester, when pregnancy is in full swing and you are most likely to appreciate the benefits!
The Loving Partner Back Massage
As you just learned, the healthiest and safest time to begin having pregnancy massages is in your second trimester.
• Avoid pressure between the anklebone and the heel. Many massage therapists and reflexologists caution that this point on the body directly correlates to the uterus and vagina, and heavy pressure, particularly in the third trimester, could induce premature labor.
Hey thanks for the info, it's always better to be safe than sorry. I feel bad now you mentioned the pressure point between thumb and finger, because I have been using that ALOT during my pregnancy to help with headaches. I should have known it might not be advised during your first trimester, because it is one of the pressure points my midwife told me about when I went passed my due date with ds as it can help to induce labour. Oh well I'm 14wks now so I'm not going to stress about what could have happened, but I just can't believe I didn't remember that - baby brains lol. ↑
Name: breezieb | Date: Jul 12th, 2008 12:16 AM
I FEEL YOU ON THE BABY BRAINS!!! LOL! THERE ARE SOME GREAT TRIGGER POINTS ON YOUR HEAD ITSELF THAT CAN HELP WITH HEADACHES/MIGRANES!!! GOOGLE IT AND YOU SHOULD GET SOME GOOD SUGGESTIONS!! I CANT WAIT TO HIT 14 WEEKS...HAVE YOU FELT ANY MOVEMENT YET? I KNOW YOU FEEL IT SOONER AFTER YOU HAVE ALREAD HAD A BABY BUT I CANT REMEMBER WHEN I FELT IT WITH MY SECOND. I CANT WAIT TO FEEL THAT WONDERFUL FELING AGAIN!!! ↑
Name: E586467 | Date: Jul 13th, 2008 9:24 PM
Fortunately my bad headaches are subsiding now I'm in my 2nd trimester, but I will definitely have to look up the pressure points on the head just in case they come back. I've felt some very faint movements (very exciting) but can hardly wait for the bigger movements to happens (at 38wks I'll probably be complaining how much they hurt, lol). With my 1st (3yr dd) I felt her at 15wks, with my 2nd (1yr ds) I didn't feel him til 18wks due to an anterior placenta, this time the placenta is posterior where it should be, so I'm sooooo happy as I missed out on a lot of the early & little movements with ds as they were cushioned. How far along are you? Is this your third? ↑
