Pregnancy Massage: positioning

Your top priority when coming for a pregnancy massage is likely to be that you want a relaxing experience. Plus, if you are experiencing specific aches and pains you are surely going to want those to be eased with a thoroughly good hands on treatment. The good news is, you will get all of that in a pregnancy massage with us. For me, as the massage therapist, my aims are to give you that relaxation and space to breathe, alleviate your discomfort and high on my list of priorities is to keep you and your baby safe. A massage treatment always … Continue reading

Exercise & Breastfeeding

A common concern for new mums is whether returning to exercise will have a negative effect on breast milk. Good news – there’s no evidence to support a detrimental effect from exercise. Once you’ve received the go-ahead to exercise safely from your doctor or midwife (and been checked for a tummy gap – see below*) there’s no reason to stay on the sofa. In fact, the benefits that come from exercise are immeasurable (improved mood, better sleep and energy, time for you – to name a few). You’ll need to find the best time for you and baby to exercise – most women … Continue reading

The Misconception of the Due Date

Personally I don’t like referring to the date a baby is expected to be born as the ‘due’ date. It puts so much pressure on the situation and expectation that the baby WILL be born on that particular date. If baby doesn’t arrive on that date then what? …Waiting, anxiety, increased stress? The gestation period for a baby is around 39 weeks. Some arrive before that, some arrive later. Setting parents expectations (based on average statistics) to one day out of potentially a 3-4 week period is not necessarily helpful, and, in my opinion, wrong. So, I’m going to call it the … Continue reading

5 Tips for a Healthier Pregnancy

1. Be as active as possible A combination of aerobic fitness and strength exercise is vital – you need to be fit for birth. If you’re unaccustomed to exercise there’s even more benefit to getting active – you don’t really want to lose weight when you’re pregnant, but if you’re pre-conception then that’s a great time to start working towards a healthy weight. During pregnancy, fitness levels can be boosted to prepare you for the demands of birthing and motherhood. Good activities to continue throughout pregnancy are brisk walking, running if you’re used to it, swimming and weight training. In addition, guided training on pelvic … Continue reading

Rectus Diastasis – postnatal abdominal separation

What is Rectus Diastasis and why does it happen? This is the separation of the rectus abdominis muscle at the linea alba – the central line of connective fascia which runs straight down your belly. Other muscles, connective tissue and fascia in the abdominal wall are also affected, but rectus abdominis  (the one that can look like a six-pack) are the ones people commonly refer to. In pregnancy it happens because of the growth of your baby in the uterus forces the abdominal region to stretch and bulge forwards. It isn’t until after birth that you can start the healing process, but … Continue reading

Pregnancy: postural changes

It goes without saying that your body undergoes dramatic changes during pregnancy. One of those changes is your posture. But don’t go thinking it will happen overnight because it doesn’t, the changes are gradual and creep on you as you gain weight and your body adjusts to the various developments of pregnancy. Because of the weight you will gain your body experiences more aches and pains than it usually would. It’s a given, but what you do about it could help provide relief, I’ll return to that later. As your abdomen and breasts enlarge your centre of gravity changes and … Continue reading