Postpartum Massage: Benefits, Techniques And Right Time To Start

Image: ShutterStock

The delivery process is challenging and can mentally and physically drain you. So, while you care for your baby, care for yourself as well with a relaxing postpartum massage. A postpartum massage is a full body massage that mothers get a few weeks after childbirth. The massage helps the mother’s body and mind relax and hastens postpartum healing. If you are an expecting mother, knowing about the benefits of postpartum massages can help you make informed choices.

Read this post to learn about the right techniques for a postpartum massage, the oils most suitable for it, and when you should avoid it.

What Is Postpartum Massage?

A postpartum massage is a complete body massage given to the new mom to soothe and relax her mind and body, and also alleviate any pain or soreness in the body. A good massage can support the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of the mother (1).

Following childbirth, you can take an appointment with a masseuse or massage therapist who specializes in postpartum massages.

Did you know?

Some experienced therapists will allow you to bring your newborns to the therapy session. As infants will sleep a lot and have breastfeeding schedules, massage appointments can be adjusted accordingly (14).

When Can You Get A Postpartum Massage After Delivery?

You may opt for a postpartum massage when you feel you are comfortable.  Whether you’ve had a cesarean section or vaginal delivery, you will need around six to eight weeks for complete recovery (2). Ideally, it is best to wait until you are fully recovered after the delivery and then get a massage. However, it is good to consult your healthcare provider before you schedule one.

Benefits Of Massage After Delivery

Listed below are some benefits that massage therapy offers after you give birth (3).

• Relieves pain: Body pains, particularly in the lower back, hips, and abdomen, are normal due to pregnancy. Massage can help relax these sore muscles and ease the pain.

• Reduces swelling: The blood volume increases by around 50% during pregnancy, and body fluids are to be balanced after pregnancy (4). Postpartum massage helps improve circulation and stimulate lymphatic drainageⁱXDrainage of excess lymphatic fluid from tissues, which can be done through a manual massage technique to eliminate fluids and toxins from the body.

• Helps you sleep better: Massage therapy eases the fatigue, provides relaxation, and makes you sleep better.

• Opens blocked ducts: A gentle massage therapy could remove the hardened lumps and open the blocked ducts in the breast, thereby lowering the risk of mastitisⁱX Infection in the breast tissues usually caused by bacteria or blocked milk ducts leading to pain and inflammation while breastfeeding . On the other hand, a vigorous massage can worsen mastitis.

• Improves post-delivery recovery: Commonly experienced postpartum blues such as depression and anxiety are related to hormonal changes. Massage could help treat depression and other baby blues, and it improves mood too (5).

Quick fact

The latest research indicates that breast massage may help relieve sodium in breast milk, reduce breast discomfort and pain, and improve the baby’s suckling (14).

Tina Yong, a mother, shares her experience of getting a postpartum massage on her YouTube channel. She says, “The therapist would come over for a 90-minute session, and she’d massage my whole body and try to get my circulation flowing. She would also do a Javanese massage technique where she would bind my belly using a long strip of cloth. It was done not to slim me down but to help retract the uterus and help organs go back in place as well. It helped with my posture because while breastfeeding and after giving birth, my balance was off, so having that binding helped support my back and helped me sit up straighter. I had ten sessions of that, and I felt like that helped get my belly all that bulge to go down faster (ⅰ).”

Best Positions For A Post-pregnancy Massage

Image: Shutterstock

As any position is safe after pregnancy, you can settle into the most comfortable position.

The side-lying or seated position is comfortable, lets the masseuse focus on the shoulders, legs, pelvis, and suits those who have had a cesarean section.

Some mothers may like facing down on their tummy as they have restricted this position for quite a long time during pregnancy. But some may feel uncomfortable with their leaking or engorged breasts during motherhood.

Postpartum Massage Techniques

Massage therapy after labor is effective when you seek help from a professional masseuse. Some of the techniques that these therapists might consider giving after delivery to promote wellness are as follows.

• Swedish massage: Also called the Classic massage, it is a combination of long strokes with kneading, shaking, and tapping movements. It is a refreshing and relaxing massage that gives you a feeling of overall well-being and is one of the most popular forms of bodywork (6).

• Jamu massage: Followed by Indonesians, this massage technique uses various herbs extracted from the roots, barks, and flowers of medicinal plants. The firm strokes of the massage could tighten and strengthen the stomach muscles, and help flatten the stomach.

• Foot reflexology: The basic foot massage stimulates acupressure points of the feet, which is associated with the different organs of the body. It can, therefore, relieve postpartum depression, fatigue, tension, and stress (7).

• Herbal baths: They constitute a part of postnatal self-care massage where water infused with different herbs, spices, and roots is used. That bath is given after the massage and helps treat sore veins, and refresh the body (8).

• Acupressure: Pressure is applied to different pressure points to relieve pains and discomforts.
  

  

  Image: IStock

When Should You Avoid Postnatal Massage?

You should avoid a postnatal massage if you have/had:

• Cesarean section; wait until the incision is healed
• Skin conditions such as blisters, boils, eczemaⁱXA skin condition that causes itchy, red, and scaly patches on the skin due to various factors such as allergies, genetics, or stress and rashes
• HerniaⁱXA condition in which an organ protrudes out by pushing into the tissue or muscle surrounding it and high blood pressure
  

  

  Image: Shutterstock

Make sure that you talk to your doctor before getting a massage. This helps you figure out the right kind of massage to get and the right time to get it.

Precautions For Postnatal Massage If You Had C-section

Here are some essential things to remember before getting a postpartum massage:

• Choose a trained massage therapist
  

  

  Image: Shutterstock

• Allow the cesarean incision to heal completely before massaging, as it could be prone to infections
• Avoid getting an abdominal massage until it is fully healed. In the meantime, the focus should be on the head, back, arms and legs
• Avoid putting pressure on the tummy
• Lie down sideways for a back massage
• Refrain from massaging the nipples for the safety and hygiene of the baby

Some massage therapists may use oils of specific herbs and fragrances. However, not all may be suitable for you.

Which Oil Is The Best For Postpartum Massage?

Most of the high-grade oils are safe for massages as they are non-allergenic after delivery. You may have to pick the oil that suits you, considering its smell and allergic reactions if any. For that, you may have to try different oils.

Go for a patch test by applying the oil on a small patch of your skin. Check for allergic reactions such as itchiness, redness, or hives. Also check if your baby is comfortable with the smells, as you will be holding the baby and the odor remains even after the bath. If your baby gets fussy because of the smell, try something less pungent or odorless.

Some of the oils you may choose are sweet almond, mustard, coconut, olive, sesame, and herbal oils.

Quick tip

You may consider combining aromatherapy with massage for relaxation, hormone balance, cleansing, and the treatment of anxiety. Let the therapist know if you are nursing the baby and take necessary measures to help prevent allergies for you and your baby (14).

Why Do They Massage The Uterus After Birth?

Uterine massage is recommended after delivery to reduce postpartum blood loss, and also to reduce the pain associated with uterine muscle contraction (9).

Infographic: Relaxing Your Mind Post-Delivery

Your body goes through several changes while you are pregnant, both physical and hormonal. After your delivery, the hormonal levels change again, and it might lead to anxiety or postpartum depression. Keeping this infographic handy post-delivery will help you engage in relaxing activities and deal with the stress

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Share

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

Download Share

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Author
• Editor
• Fact-checker

Dr. Prachi BenaraMS

Dr. Prachi Benara has 14 years of experience as an infertility specialist. Having done her graduation and postgraduation in India, Dr. Prachi trained in reproductive medicine and IVF in the UK. In addition to a one-year PG diploma, she worked as an observer in the Oxford University Hospitals and trained in IUI, ultrasound, and embryo transfer at the British Fertility...more

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). She has been into health and...more

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to...more

Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction. She writes health and wellness articles for children and pregnant and lactating women. Reshmi has completed her post graduation in Biotechnology from MITS School of Biotechnology,...more