Is​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Post Natal Massage Necessary? What You Need to Know

Many moms often come across the term postnatal massage only after their birth. However, is postnatal massage really necessary? To put it shortly, no, it is not a must, but it can definitely help you feel better and get your recovery work done faster after your baby arrives.

First of all what is Post Natal Massage?

Post nally massage typically a soft full-body massage is basically performed with the idea to help the body recover after a childbirth. Such a massage can lessen the pain and especially the swelling that accompanies the skin around the belly and is the result of hormonal changes. In addition, such a therapy can even indirectly influence things like milk production if you happen to be breastfeeding, through a general feeling of well-being and substantially lessened stress.

The Reason to Use It

A woman’s body is very strong but at the same time it is very fragile, and nature is very smart and merciful, so God equipped the same woman’s body with the ability to endure for nine months the development and birth in it of a new human being. After a tough process of several hours or days, the body may become sore and in pain in various spots like the back, hips, and belly. The power of massage comes from the various techniques that are used to loosen the hard and tight muscles as well as stretches your ligaments and joints, thus bringing relief and soothing the whole body. Here's a nice tip: the majority of women undergoing post natal massage report a better quality of sleep and a decrease in anxiety.

Great Examples of Post Natal Massage

After delivery a mother's body is full of fluid retention that post natal massage can help alleviate.

The postnatal massage helps those areas out i.e. back, hips, and abdominal area, of the body that usually ache after giving birth.

By giving more blood to the breast through massage the breast milk supply is increased.

The postnatal massage helps women relax and balances the hormones thus increasing the sleep potential.

One can also argue that such a therapy not only leads to the feeling of being relaxed but also improves the quality of sleep.

The Right Time to See a Doctor

There‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ is no exact time that has been set for a postnatal massage, and the timing basically depends on the individual. A postnatal massage is usually regarded as safe to be started from a few days to a few weeks after giving birth. Nevertheless, if you had a c-section or you were in a difficult situation during labor, it would be a wise decision to get a medical opinion first. Some women might only desire a single postnatal massage whilst others might consider it more advantageous to carry it out ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌regularly.

An illustration may be a mother’s initial feeling of extreme fatigue and sore hips after delivering her baby. After several sessions she ultimately realized that her sleep quality was significantly improved and that her pain was greatly alleviated. She also felt a decrease in stress and an increase of relaxation during the day.

Quick Checklist: Should You Consider Post Natal Massage?

1. Are you feeling sore or tight in your body?

2. Are you struggling with edema?

3. Are you looking to make breastfeeding more comfortable?

4. Are you feeling stressed and having trouble sleeping?

6. Are you ready to pamper yourself after giving birth in a safe way?

In case you have answered "yes" to one or more of these questions a post natal massage might be the thing that will work for you!

Some Points to Keep in Mind

Firstly, the massage should not be painful. If you feel pain during the massage, tell your therapist immediately. Secondly, all human beings are different and so are their bodies, and therefore it is better to listen to your own body rather than the advice of others. Besides that, the massage should not be viewed as a substitution of medical care but rather as a supplement to the recovery process.

In summary: post natal massage necessary? That is dependent on your condition. Women, who do not find it absolutely necessary, still come to the conclusion that it is a very comforting way to recover and relax after a birth. Why don’t you try your hand at such a therapy and see how it feels? If you are in any doubt, do consult with your doctor first.

FAQs

Q1. Does post-natal massage hurt?

A - On the contrary, it should never hurt, although some are more sensitive than others. If discomfort is felt, talk to the therapist so that the problem is resolved immediately.

Q2. When can I have a post natal massage?

A - A time period of several days to a few weeks post-delivery is usually recommended for starting a post-natal massage but it’s always better to get a doctor’s advice especially when there has been a surgical intervention.

Q3. How often should I have a massage?

A - The answer to this question depends on the individual. Some mothers do it weekly whereas others only once or ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌twice.