Prenatal (Pregnancy) Massage
Studies shows that Massage therapy has been demonstrated to be effective during pregnancy. Women who received massage therapy reported decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. Cortisol levels decreased and, in turn, excessive fetal activity decreased, and the rate of prematurity was lower in the massage group.
In a study of labor pain, women who received massage therapy experienced significantly less pain, and their labors were on average 3 h shorter with less need for medication. An underlying mechanism is that these effects are mediated by increased vagal activity. This likely occurs by the stimulation of pressure receptors that are innervated by vagal afferent fibers, which ultimately project to the limbic system, including hypothalamic structures involved in autonomic nervous system regulation and cortisol secretion.
These findings were unique in that post partum depression and cortisol levels were decreased in the massaged women. The decrease in depression by week 32 of gestation in the massaged women persisted through the duration of pregnancy and the postpartum period. To have mothers less depressed during the neonatal period would likely enhance their bonding with their infants. Having more mature and more interactive newborns would also certainly enhance that process.
The fact that the newborns of the massaged mothers also had lower cortisol levels than the newborns of the control mothers may relate to the mothers' lower cortisol levels and their decreasing depression across pregnancy.
Key issues:
- Massage therapy is the most common alternative therapy recommended during pregnancy.
- Massage therapy has been demonstrated to be effective during pregnancy. The women reported decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain.
- Depressed pregnant women given the pregnancy massage experienced fewer prenatal complications.
- Women receiving massage therapy experienced significantly less pain, and their labors were on average 3 h shorter with less need for medication.
- The most important finding was the lower incidence of prematurity and low birthweight in the massaged depressed women.
- Postpartum depression and cortisol levels were decreased in the massaged women. The newborns of the massaged mothers also had lower cortisol levels than the newborns of the control mothers, and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales. These effects are mediated by increased vagal activity.
