How long have you been a licensed Prenatal Massage therapist?

I've been practicing as a State licensed massage therapist since 2011 and have been certified as a Prenatal Massage Therapist since 2012. I’ve been specializing since that time, but I’ve been passionate about pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting for 20 years. This passion for learning and serving is what guided me into this work. It took time and dedication to learn where my gifts fit and how to reach those who most need my skills. Initially, I build my practice in the deep south, Lake Charles, Louisiana. I loved my work there, but life led me to make a big change, and now I’m here serving Boulder, Colorado!

Passion Driven Service.

My passion has led me to this work for over a decade and was forming more than a decade before that!

What are the benefits of Prenatal Massages?

There are so many amazing benefits to Prenatal Massage. You have the obvious relief from the common discomforts of pregnancy, like low back pain, sciatica, swelling, and achy legs and feet, but you also have an increased awareness of your body and improved breathing patterns, which can help to prepare you for labor! It's also really good for your baby! For example, prenatal massage increases your blood flow, sending more blood and oxygen to your baby. It also stimulates the production of hormones that are really important for pregnancy and bonding, like oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine and many, many others. Many other modalities used to address pain during pregnancy can't say the same.

What are the differences between a regular Massage and a Prenatal Massage?

Good question! The biggest difference you will notice is that a pregnant client will lay on their side with special bolsters and pillows placed to make them very comfortable. Not only do these bolsters make the client very comfortable, they also help to make the hips and shoulders more available to a certified prenatal massage therapist, making the work more effective. You will definitely notice the difference between a general massage therapist and a prenatal massage specalist providing a massage during pregnancy, in the way this positioning feels for your body.

Positioning Matters.

Your discomfort levels and baby’s position in your belly are both improved by the position in which you receive your bodywork.

Why can't I lay on my belly?

Well, you definitely can and sometimes it’s amazing for certain issues but laying on your belly for general prenatal massage often produces pain after the massage. Many pregnant clients hear about tables with cut outs for the belly so that they can lay on their stomach and want that so badly but there are some pretty big downfalls to that kind of positioning for massage. First, laying on the stomach puts a strain on the low back and might actually make your low back pain worse. Secondly, this position can strain your intrauterine ligaments causing pain in the broad or round ligaments. And, third, being positioned on the stomach can increase intrauterine pressure which puts your baby at risk. That said, a prenatal massage specalist knows when and how to position your body in various ways to produce the most effective treatment for your specific condition.

Can you give massages to women who have high risk pregnancy?

Prenatal Massage is safe for the vast majority of pregnancies. It is safe during all trimesters of pregnancy and can be safe with modifications for most high risk pregnancies. If you have had trouble conceiving or have complications resulting in a high risk pregnancy, your certified Prenatal Massage Specialist will review your history and make modifications on a case-by-case basis.

Nurturing the Nurturer.

You provide so much to so many. It makes sense that you may need a little love to help you on this challenging task of bringing new life into this world.

What are some things you have helped pregnant mothers get relief from?

Oh, goodness, so many things! I've helped with pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel, headaches, fatigue, tension in the neck and shoulders, back pain, sciatica, symphisis pubis dysfunction (SPD), and cramping in the legs and feet. I've also helped to prevent many of these issues in arising in clients who see me regularly through their pregnancies. There's also some evidence that massage can help to reduce blood pressure and lower blood sugar, though these are inconclusive and need further study.

How often should women book Prenatal Massage appointments?

Well, that all depends on a client’s goals, but my basic rule of thumb is to book your massage appointments at the same frequency you see your midwife or OB. I like this method for a couple of reasons: First, you're likely already taking off of work for your doctors’ appointments, and with our busy lives, it makes sense to pair the two on the same day. And secondly, this frequency pairs well with addressing the growing discomforts during pregnancy.

The right time to get a massage is NOW!

Schedule your massage to bring reflection and restoration to your life.

What is Natural Labor Stimulation Massage?

Natural Labor Stimulation is a multi-faceted service that gently encourages labor to begin. It includes acupressure stimulation, reflexology, aromatherapy, and guided visualization. I have found it to be very effective in my practice and most frequently results in labor within 12-24 hours after the service. That said, this service is NOT labor induction. You can think of it as an invitation to labor for your body and your baby.

Who can benefit from the Labor Stimulation Massage?

Pregnant women who are over 40 weeks benefit the most from this service, especially if they are "on the clock" with their healthcare provider, so to speak. In my practice, I have found that the longer you can wait for an intervention (yes, even natural labor stimulation is an intervention), the more effective it is.

Meeting You.

I meet you wherever you are most comfortable and can help you to become comfortable wherever you need to be.

Can Labor Stimulation be done in the hospital or birth center?

Yes! I love doing in-hospital stimulations! In my experience, the nurses are amazed that it produces valuable changes in the course of labor.

What are some great ways women can prepare for labor while at home?

I deeply believe that preparing for labor is done with your body, mind, and spirit. Practicing breathing exercises really helps to get to know your breath and helps you to cope with the physical and emotional work of labor and delivery. Prenatal Yoga or other forms of gentle exercise throughout pregnancy helps you learn to use your body effectively. And, obviously, high-quality bodywork like prenatal massage helps you tune into the signals your body sends you and know how to respond to them effectively. Finally, use creative or mindful methods to examine your thoughts, feelings, and images about conception, pregnancy, labor, delivery, and parenting. I suggest journaling, finding affirmations that support the positive qualities you wish to embody, and a process called birth art exploration.