Pregnancy can be very exciting, but it can also be worrisome. In addition to the changes in hormones, your body and your way of life, you may find yourself worrying about the health of your baby and how you will be as a parent. These concerns are normal, but can become stressful in addition to the other ongoing stressors in your life.
As published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, researchers Davis, Glynn, Waffarn and Sandman conducted a study to determine the correlation between maternal stress and cortisol (a stress hormone), during pregnancy and the infant’s response to stress. The researchers found that increased maternal stress during pregnancy affect the infant’s behavioral stress responses. Stress during different stages of pregnancy can affect development of neurons, receptors and various brain regions, which determine the infant’s ability to respond behaviorally and physiologically to stressors in the postnatal environment. Additional research has suggested that maternal stress during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, pre-term births and increased behavioral concerns in children.
Massage can be a helpful way to reduce maternal stress during pregnancy. Studies have shown massage therapy to be effective in reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. In a study published in the Infant Behavior and Development Journal, conducted by Field, Diego, Hernandez-Reif, Deeds and Figueiredo, the researchers wanted to determine the effect of massage therapy on depressed women. The researches concluded that not only did massage therapy reduce the levels of depression in the pregnant participants, both the mother and infant experienced lower levels of cortisol or stress, both during pregnancy and postpartum. Participants also reported decreased low back pain during pregnancy, and newborns were less likely to be born prematurely or at a low birth weight.
Additionally, the changes that a woman’s body endures during pregnancy can cause sore muscles and lower back pain. Massage therapy may be helpful for pregnant women in reducing low back pain, and increasing blood and lymphatic circulation. Many pregnant women also experience sciatic nerve pain, which may shoot down the leg due the changing in position of the uterus on other muscles in the abdominal, back and pelvic area. Massage therapy can help reduce this pain by releasing the muscle tension surrounding the sciatic nerve.
Prenatal massage is a cost effective way to help reduce stress and pain in mothers and infants, as well as to reduce the risk of low birth weight and pre-term births. If you think you could benefit from prenatal massage, schedule your appointment conveniently on our website; www.holisticbodyworksmassage.com
As published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, researchers Davis, Glynn, Waffarn and Sandman conducted a study to determine the correlation between maternal stress and cortisol (a stress hormone), during pregnancy and the infant’s response to stress. The researchers found that increased maternal stress during pregnancy affect the infant’s behavioral stress responses. Stress during different stages of pregnancy can affect development of neurons, receptors and various brain regions, which determine the infant’s ability to respond behaviorally and physiologically to stressors in the postnatal environment. Additional research has suggested that maternal stress during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight, pre-term births and increased behavioral concerns in children.
Massage can be a helpful way to reduce maternal stress during pregnancy. Studies have shown massage therapy to be effective in reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. In a study published in the Infant Behavior and Development Journal, conducted by Field, Diego, Hernandez-Reif, Deeds and Figueiredo, the researchers wanted to determine the effect of massage therapy on depressed women. The researches concluded that not only did massage therapy reduce the levels of depression in the pregnant participants, both the mother and infant experienced lower levels of cortisol or stress, both during pregnancy and postpartum. Participants also reported decreased low back pain during pregnancy, and newborns were less likely to be born prematurely or at a low birth weight.
Additionally, the changes that a woman’s body endures during pregnancy can cause sore muscles and lower back pain. Massage therapy may be helpful for pregnant women in reducing low back pain, and increasing blood and lymphatic circulation. Many pregnant women also experience sciatic nerve pain, which may shoot down the leg due the changing in position of the uterus on other muscles in the abdominal, back and pelvic area. Massage therapy can help reduce this pain by releasing the muscle tension surrounding the sciatic nerve.
Prenatal massage is a cost effective way to help reduce stress and pain in mothers and infants, as well as to reduce the risk of low birth weight and pre-term births. If you think you could benefit from prenatal massage, schedule your appointment conveniently on our website; www.holisticbodyworksmassage.com
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