There is a huge difference between pregnancy compatible massage and bodywork with the intent to prepare for birth.
That’s not to say that one is better than the other, simply to acknowledge that the intention and skill is different.
Most of my doula clients see me once weekly and we chat or hang out and finish off with some massage and relaxation. This can look like creating space and softness in the body and allowing the Mama-To-Be to spend some time in the dream body with her baby. Maybe some oils, maybe some Reiki, maybe some healing sounds.
Oftent imes this is more than enough, the body remains relatively balanced and baby has a clear path for birth. Other times (especially if pregnancy has been filled with stress, obstetric trauma, injury, or old wounds reopened), relaxation alone is not enough.
In these cases, we work strategically identifying tension in the body that prevents baby from engaging in a balanced way. Sometimes it’s due to uneven or shallow breathing. Sometimes there’s tightness from previous injuries. Sometimes scars and their somatic memory can cause imbalance. Sometimes baby gets caught on top of the pubic bone during descent.
If we watch carefully, ask the right questions, and do the somatic work, resolve is quite likely.
So much of our birth support is retroactive. We learn how to dislodge shoulder distocia rather than working towards preventing it. We think of ways to kickstart labour to avoid induction rather than assessing why body and baby aren’t ready to align yet.
So few people know about their options. So few families have the support to release somatic holding from previous births. In fact, so few mummas have hands on care before birth full stop.
Maybe this snipped into my practice can help with that. And if you are expecting, or you know someone who is, they can know about these options, too. Whether it’s for relaxation or labour prep, I’m here.
With Love,
Patricia
#bodywork #massage #birth #postpartum # doula