So massage is safe for pregnant women, but is it effective?

Last week we established that massage is safe for pregnant women.  A scientific review of studies of pregnancy in massage fond that pregnant women who received massage had

  • decreased depression
  • decreased anxiety
  • decreased leg and back pain

In addition pregnant women who received massage had reduced

  • reduced cortisol levels
  • reduced excessive fetal activity
  • lower rate of prematurity (a baby being born before its 37 weeks old)

For pregnant women who received massage during labour they

  • experienced less pain
  • required less medication
  • had shorter labours (on average 3 hours shorter)

The study concluded massage is effective for pregnant women.

Reference

Field T. Pregnancy and labor massage. Expert review of obstetrics & gynecology. 2010;5(2):177-181. doi:10.1586/eog.10.12.

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