Pre-Natal, Fertility and Postpartum Therapeutic Massage

Amelia Mitchell, LMT is a Certified Nurturing the Mother® pregnancy/pre-natal massage therapist trained in fertility, pregnancy, labor, and postpartum massage.

Nurturing the Mother® is a Body, Mind, Spirit Approach to Pregnancy Massage, Fertility, Postpartum and Infant Massage

Nurturing the Mother® pregnancy massage utilizes a comfortable, secure, side-lying position to avoid undue pressure on a growing abdomen and the lower back. Mothers are completely supported by pillows, keeping the top hip, knee and ankle on the same level to avoid pulling on the sacroiliac joint and to maximize blood and lymph circulation. Nurturing the Mother®, with Amelia, combines the following methods:

• Calming Swedish massage strokes for deep muscle relaxation, tension release and increased circulation.
• Gentle range-of-motion and stretching movements to relieve pressure through neck, shoulders, rib cage, lower back and hips and to promote greater strength, flexibility and balance.
• Deep tissue work in the hip and gluteal area to help alleviate chronic lower back and hip pain.
• Abdominal massage to relieve round ligament pain, support digestion and increase circulation to the placenta and baby. Also increases awareness of the baby. The baby will feel and benefit from the massage.
• Lymph Drainage Therapy to reduce pregnancy-induced edema (swelling).
• CranioSacral Therapy for balance and centering.
• Acupressure and reflexology techniques shown to be effective in treating many common pregnancy related complaints.

Pregnancy Massage helps reduce the following discomforts:
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Lower back and abdominopelvic pain
• Swelling and edema
• Leg pain and cramps
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Indigestion

As a Nurturing the Mother® certified massage therapist, Amelia is trained in precautions/contraindications, and will refer to the mother's healthcare provider when necessary.

Research has shown that pregnancy massage
• Helps control blood pressure
• Strengthens the immune system
• Directly effects the sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and its consequences for mother and baby
• Alleviates anxiety and depression
• Strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery
• Allows for deeper breathing and a better night's sleep
• Helps keep skin supple to prevent stretch marks
• Maintains body posture and balance
• Enhances self-image
• Shortens hospital stay
• Reduces postpartum depression *The Touch Research Institute of Miami

Amelia uses a multi-disciplinary approach to fertility work. With a foundation in Nurturing the Mother® Fertility massage, she adds a depth of experience in Lymph Drainage Therapy, Healing from the Core techniques, as well as basic CranioSacral Therapy.

• Benefits of Fertility sessions: Detoxification and increased lymph flow
• Enhanced immune function
• Centering and Calming
• Cleansing of the large intestine with massage and reflexology
• Pelvic friction massage breaks up adhesions in the pelvic area
• Stimulation of meridian points, pelvic rocking, jaw release
• All techniques are focused to support conception and healthy pregnancy

Massage in the postpartum period helps bring the body into its pre-pregnancy alignment. A massage within the first week of postpartum feels wonderful.

• Flushes lactic acid out of the tissues to relieve sore and achy muscles
• Supports and enhances the realignment process, with a focus on the pelvis and ribs
• Assists breast feeding, alleviating tightness, helps with some breast feeding difficulties
• Aids in the process of the uterus returning to normal size
• Releases shoulder, neck and arm tension from the care and feeding of infant
• Helps relieve tension from the birth process
• Helps the mother regain vital energy (chi) to reduce fatigue
• Supports fluid balancing
• Encourages pelvic and abdominal organs to return to pre-pregnant positions

Massage is a wonderful support to labor and may be erformed by a massage therapist, pa birth partner or a Doula. Techniques include relaxation strokes, jaw release techniques, lower back compression to reduce the pain of back labor, as well as movement with massage and pressure points.

Massage has been shown to reduce labor time, labor pain and even technical intervention.

Due to Amelia's schedule and responsibilities as a mother, she is rarely able to provide Labor Support massage, although she will do her best for established clients. Amelia highly recommends that families have a Doula for labor support, and she will happily provide referrals.