Massage is the perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being during the perinatal period (pregnancy through the postnatal period). Sister Support relaxation massage is the ultimate in comfort and connection! In my cosy home studio in Northcote, I’ve created the ideal environment for a luxurious, nurturing massage: ultra-padded table, comfy pillows, belly support cushion, thick towels, soft sheets, warm blankets, a choice of specially-prepared pregnancy massage oils as well as soothing music, candles and aromatherapy. Bliss!
Book your massage now by contacting me here.
“I had a lovely hour-long Pregnancy Massage from Laura Lee. Her experienced touch was able to zone in on all the tender areas one feels when 38 weeks pregnant. Even the set up on the massage table was pure comfort at a time of almost permanent discomfort! The effects of the massage were felt for days afterward. Thank you so much for your support, Laura Lee!” – Connie
Massage Options
I’m delighted to offer soothing massage for any point in your childbearing year. Select either a 60-minute or 90-minute massage of the following types:
- Pregnancy Massage (at any stage of pregnancy)
- Birth Prep Massage (from 38 weeks onward)
- Postnatal Massage (at any time after baby’s birth)
Your investment? $130 for a 60-minute massage and $150 for a 90-minute massage. Your well-being? Priceless!
Book your massage now by contacting me here.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy is a time of constant change, both physically and emotionally. While your growing baby is a source of joy, your growing body may affect your posture, create muscular tension, cause lower back pain, diminish your sleep and more. Massage can expertly relieve these common aches and pains. Regular pregnancy massage helps to support the many changes occurring from week to week, allowing the body to adapt through the pregnancy and creating a more relaxed entry to motherhood.
Moreover, massage has been shown to lower stress hormones (norepinephrine and cortisol) and increase ‘feel-good’ hormones (dopamine and serotonin) thereby decreasing anxiety and depressive mood, benefiting both mother and baby. These positive hormonal changes also resulted in fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence strongly suggests there are maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular antenatal care. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15715034)
Benefits of massage in pregnancy:
- Improved sleep patterns lessen fatigue
- Heightened relaxation helps to lower stress and anxiety levels and enhance the mother-baby connection
- Specialised massage techniques address lower back, pelvic, hip and rib pain common in the third trimester
- Shoulder, neck and head massage helps to relieve tension and headaches
- Oedema, swelling and discomfort in the legs and arms is eased, which reduces the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome
- Leg cramps are minimised due to improved circulation
Birth Prep Massage
Have you reached 38 weeks of pregnancy and feel a yearning to be held and helped to surrender to your body and baby’s plan for labour? Would you like to learn specific movements and stretches you can practice at home to help baby get in position for birth? Massage combined with acupressure and aromatherapy can help to prepare the body for birth and create a sense of deep relaxation and connection to body and baby. This, in turn, will promote the release of the right blend of hormones required for softening and thinning the cervix and encouraging labour to begin, when body and baby are ready.
Benefits of Birth Prep massage:
- Promotes deep relaxation for optimal hormonal release
- Enhances connection with body and baby
- Prepares the body for labour through acupressure, aromatherapy and maternal positioning
Postnatal Massage
The early postnatal weeks are a time for your body to readjust and recover from birth and pregnancy. Although this may be a time of joy, it’s also a time of big emotions, lack of sleep, repetitive movements and the challenges associated with learning to care for your little one. Nurturing postnatal massage enhances a new mother’s physical and emotional well-being during this time of transition.
Benefits of Postnatal massage:
- Restores vitality and lessens fatigue
- Helps soothe nervous tension resulting in improved sleep
- Reduces baby blues and the sense of anxiety and stress
- Rebuilds strength and ease muscle tension
- Relieves tension created in feeding postures by relaxing neck and shoulders
- Reduces swelling in legs and arms
- Strengthens and tones abdominal muscles
Safety of Pregnancy and Postnatal Massage
I’ve trained with Pregnancy Massage Australia® (PMA), the country’s leading expert and educator in holistic perinatal massage therapy. PMA’s extensive research shows the best position for a pregnant woman during massage is side-lying, with ample pillows for support. Not only does this allow access to all parts of the body, but it also creates a connection between therapist, mother and baby.
With a properly trained therapist, massage can safely begin at any point in pregnancy – during the first, second or third trimester. Should you have any concerns, speak with your care provider prior to booking your pregnancy massage.
Some lovely feedback from clients…
“I especially appreciated your sublime pregnancy massage! I cannot recommend your pregnancy massage highly enough – you have an amazing talent!” – Meredith
“I felt so much calmer and zen after my postnatal massage and I think that this was great for tuning into the baby and relaxing into the next few feeds, getting the oxytocin going. I really liked the intensity of the massage work you did on the bottom and hip area as well as the active parts of the massage where you instructed me to move. Oh, and massage work around the breast/underarm was great – I would have loved for this part to go on and on! Thank you again for the massage – what an absolute treat!” – Jane
