Elaine Stillerman - Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy

MOTHER MASSAGE
A Delta Book

PUBLISHING HISTORY
Dell Trade Paperback edition published August 1992
Delta trade paperback edition / April 2006

Published by Bantam Dell
A Division of Random House, Inc.
New York, New York

All rights reserved
Copyright 1992 by Elaine Stillerman
Illustrations copyright 1992 by Diana Kurz

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 91-46989

Delta is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc.,
and the colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.

eISBN: 978-0-307-83439-3

Published simultaneously in Canada

www.bantamdell.com

v3.1

The procedures and related materials in this book are not intended to take the place of professional medical supervision.

All women are urged to seek appropriate prenatal care.

D uring pregnancy, women suffer from all sorts of ailments, including heartburn, backaches, swollen ankles, aching muscles, breast soreness, and fatigue, to mention just a few. Traditional medicine offers few means of alleviating these problems. In addition, women may feel increased stress due to the psychological effects of pregnancy, which include changes in body image, concerns about the babys health, motherhood, and the challenge of this life-changing event.

Mother Massage can help. In this groundbreaking book, you will discover the power of a therapeutic and loving touch. You will learn how truly to share the joy and excitement of your pregnancy with your partner. And you will explore the many ways of relieving the discomforts of pregnancy through massage.

Through simple techniques, including the nerve stroke, effleurage, petrissage, friction, and tapotement, a wide range of treatments can be mastered and shared. You will learn how massage can relieve tension during pregnancy, help prepare you for labor, and make the postpartum period less difficult. Mother Massage includes valuable advice on reflexology, nutrition, herbology, and exercise, as well as a special section on baby massage.

This book is lovingly written. I have seen the techniques work with my wife and myself. I am pleased to recommend this to every parent who is bringing a new life into the world.

R ONALD R UDEN , M.D.
Lenox Hill Hospital
New York, N.Y.

M uch has been written and scientifically validated about the beneficial effects of massage on almost every major body system. It is also a well-documented fact that massage is a powerful tool in reducing stress and its deleterious effects.

The stress and anxiety a pregnant woman experiences will definitely work against her: Blood catecholamine levels increase and interfere with the work of oxytocin and other labor-promoting hormones. There is also an adverse effect on the developing fetus. In other words, whatever the expectant mother feels is directly passed on to her growing child.

Enter the oldest healing art: massage. During pregnancy, massage can safely, comfortably, and effectively relieve stress, whether it is physical, emotional, and/or psychological in origin. With so many women returning to more holistic health choices and birthing practices, the use of massage to treat the discomforts of pregnancy is a natural response. Massage is a potent way to take charge of your own pregnancy, to reclaim your birthright. Every time you experience a positive response to the treatments in this book, your success empowers you with more control, security, and confidence for an easier birth outcome.

Mother Massage has been written to involve both expectant parents. Fathers now share birth preparation classes, attend the births, and are more aggressively pursuing paternity rights and privileges in the workplace. By using the easy massage techniques in this book, he can also participate during the nine-month process and help support and ease the discomforts of his partners pregnancy.

Each technique is no longer than ten or fifteen minutes in duration and is clearly illustrated for easy reference. The treatments reduce the effects of many of the most common problems a pregnant woman might incur and can be used as often as necessary.

The intimate nature of touch has the additional advantage of bringing two people closer together. At a time when emotions and sensitivities are already heightened, massage enhances interpersonal communication even further. A deeper involvement develops for the provider as he helps his partner enjoy this most exciting experience.

Infant massage is included as a natural progression to the pregnancy. This special treatment helps both child and parent form a unique bond of love, trust, and nurturing. It also offers the father an opportunity to express his tender feelings, no longer considered an exclusive maternal right.

All attempts have been made to clarify when each partner is being addressed. Mother Massage speaks to the expectant mother about the development of her pregnancy and self-massage techniques. The expectant father is addressed during most of the massage techniques of is for both partners equally), labor, and postpartum massages.

My expectant clients respond to their pregnancies with the most interesting reactions. Some of them are astounded how their bodies know just what to do. Others have to be reassured that pregnancy is not a permanent condition and that their figures will return. Most of them agree, however, about how strong, ready, and prepared they feel as a result of the massages.

Use Mother Massage throughout your pregnancy and postpartum weeks. The chapter on full body massage can be used at any time after the pregnancy and for either partner. So I hope you enjoy this book and reap the benefits of massage for a long time!

E LAINE S TILLERMAN
New York City, 1991

Catecholamines are compounds responsible for the fight or flight response to stress.

W omen in tribal societies resume normal activities almost immediately after birthing. To get back into shape quickly, these women employ a number of natural techniques, including massage, abdominal binding, herbal treatments, diet, and steaming of the perineal region. All of these methods help the new mother to regain her strength, heal faster, and ease her way in subsequent births.

Massage is a sensuous, relaxing, and loving treatment that has the added bonus of being especially good for you. It is one form of medicine most people delight in taking! Massage is a wonderful way to reduce stress and promote general well-being.

While you are pregnant, your body is undergoing stress-producing changes. Massage pleasantly and effectively eliminates many of the adverse effects of stress and the accompanying discomforts. Lets look briefly at some of the physiological changes that occur during a massage and see how they benefit your health and the health of your developing baby:

Massage will help prepare you for an easier delivery. Self-massage to the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) promotes flexibility and elasticity. It might actually help you avoid an episiotomy.