| Area of change |
Changes |
suggestions for massage/bodywork |
| Abdominal wall |
-
fascia, muscle, skin stretches
-
stretch marks may appear
-
rectus abdominus under considerable strain
-
linea alba may give way
( diastasis recti)
-
abdominal contents protrude at midline
|
cross-fiber attachments of obliques along
rib cage to relieve tension
avoid direct abdominal work
|
| Breasts |
enlarged and sensitive by the 8th week
increased vascular supply
5th month preparation for lactation
stretch marks
chloasma around nipples and areola
|
N/A |
| Skin |
drier or oilier
acne
stretch marks
linea nigra -brownish streak down mid-line
of abdomen
chloasma (mask of pregnancy) around eyes and
in labia majora/minora
|
apply cocoa butter
apply the following mixture:
1/2 c virgin olive oil, 1/4 c aloe vera gel, 6 capsules vitamin E oil cut
open, 4 capsules vitamin A cut open. Mix and store in refrigeration. Apply
daily.
|
| Pelvic floor |
stretches in preparation for labor
stretches due to extra weight of baby
|
Stretch adductor muscles
kegel exercises for strengthening
|
| Circulatory system |
heart size increases and moves anteriorly
(upward and to the left)
expansion of vascular channels
blood volume increases 30-50%
increase in red and white blood cells
interstitial fluid volume increases 40% in
3rd trimester causing edema in legs
femoral venous ( sapphenous, iliac, femoral,
parametrial) pressure increases due to pressure of enlarging fetus on pelvic
veins causes varicose veins and edema
|
Women with underlying heart disease at greatest
risk for heart failure in 3rd trimester.
Use caution when working on legs as an increase
in blood clots can occur.
Adductor muscles need to relax to relax the
pelvic floor
Use side lying position
|
| Respiratory |
increased breathing rate-possibly hyperventilation
lower rib cage flares out and diaphragm elevates
to make room for the baby
accessory muscles used for breathing (scalenes,
external intercostals, pec minor)
|
Teach breathing
release scalenes, intercostals, pec minor
release all rib cage areas
|
| Gastrointestinal and Urinary |
saliva becomes more acidic increasing tooth
decay
excessive gum bleeding
gastric acidity and vomiting in 1st trimester
peristaltic activity and muscle tone of colon
decreased causing constipation
increased pressure on sigmoid colon causes
constipation
20th week: stomach pushed upward into left
dome of diaphragm may cause hiatal hernia
gall bladder emptying increases
urinary infections common
bladder capacity decreases as uterus enlarges
|
Work with reflexology to stimulate digestion
Have mother urinate before session whether
she needs to or not. Be prepared for her to get up and go during
session.
|
| Musculoskelatal |
10 weeks -hormone relaxing produced relaxing
the ligaments in SI joint and symphysis pubis; also affects other ligaments
general decrease in myofascial pain
weight bearing joints placed under more stress
due to weight gain and postural changes
weight gain in front of body causes woman
to lean back changing the center of gravity allowing the pelvis to rotate
forward, placing more stress on the SI joint, lumbar spine and stretches
abdominals
other muscles stressed; pectoral, abdominals,
QL, pelvic floor, erector spinae, iliopsoas
|
Increase their awareness of the connection
between breath and relaxation
Work psoas of women before pregnancy
check position of tailbone
|
| Endocrine |
increase in size and output of pituitary,
thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands
estrogen targets thighs, buttocks, hips to
store extra fat
estrogen increases size of uterus, cervix,
genitals, breasts
estrogen decreases stomach acid which can
lead to heart burn and indigestion
progesterone relaxes smooth muscle and dilates
peripheral blood vessels, leading to decrease in peristaltic activity,
urinary bladder dysfunction, hemorrhoids, varicose veins and edema.
|
do not do any reflexive work that stimulates
endocrine points
|
