Yoga Massage for Pregnancy, Labor & Postpartum

Thai massage is the ideal, manual method that a woman

can hope for in pregnancy, in the birthing room, and in the

months that follow birth. The line work, the pressure of key

points, squeezing, rotating, mobilizations, and especially

the stretches and Yoga- like postures are exactly what she

needs.

I was lucky to treat many pregnant women before ever

learning of the many limitations that I am “supposed” to

put on the treatment session. My experience has taught

me that most pregnancy massage "formal" limitations are

far too exaggerated.

This guidebook was written to encourage you to put

fewer limitations on your treatment and to use as many as

postures, as long as they feel appropriate to you and as

long as your pregnant client likes them.

This guidebook presents 25 treatment routines for

common pregnancy, labor and postpartum discomforts.

The original version of these routines were put together in

2003 by me, Eran Goldstein, and Idit Tyroler. This content

was part of a thesis that Eran and Idit were writing at

the end of their “Dula” (labor companion) course. This

thesis was used as a manual in the pregnancy massage

workshops for my students in Israel. I revised these

routines with Motke Eilon for this new edition.

These are not traditional Thai massage treatment

routines. We are the originators of this collection of

treatment protocols. The pressure techniques and

stretches, however, are all taken from Thai massage.

INTRODUCTION TO:

Maternal physiological changes - complaints and discomforts

Treatment safety

Miscarriage statistics and treatment in first trimester

What are the “prohibited” points?

Labor-inducing acupressure points

The lines of the inner leg and venous thromboembolism

Supine position in pregnancy

Twists, back-bends, forward bends and inversions

Psychological stress and pregnancy outcome

THE TREATMENT ROUTINES :

Painful period / Menstrual cramps

Insomnia

Stress, Anxiety and mood swings

Frequent and urgent urination

Nausea / Morning sickness

Exhaustion / Fatigue

Constipation

Abdominal pain

Heartburn

Nasal congestion, snoring and nose bleeds

Shortness of breath / Suffocation

Edema / Swelling

Hemorrhoid / Pile / Varicose veins

Anemia

Dizziness, fainting and blurred vision

Itchiness, rashes, red palms and soles of feet

Headache

Cough

Lower back and pelvic girdle pain (PGP)

Preparation for labor, pre-birth treatment

Getting ready for labor

In the birthing room

Postpartum

Inconsistent flow of breast milk

Abdominal pain after birth

Baby blues / Postpartum de...