Natural Pregnancy Remedies: Labor Massage

The goals of a natural pregnancy remedy like massage therapy during labor is to get you to relax both mentally and physically. Massage therapy experts say that when the body is less stressed, the labor process can progress more easily, because when you're in pain, you can have a "flight or fight" response and tense up. And tense up is one thing you don't want to do when you're trying to get a baby out of you!

Certain massage and natural pregnancy remedies like relaxation techniques have been known to help a laboring mama work with contractions to get her body to open for birth. Some claim massage can even shorten labor and reduce the need for meds or other interventions!,

During early labor, massage can help relax the mother so that she can save her energy for the intense experience ahead. Massage releases oxytocin, the love hormone, which combats adrenaline, the stress hormone.

When things really kick in, massage can help relieve labor pains. Studies have shown that women who were massaged during labor required less medication and intervention than those who didn't get a rub down. Many laboring mamas experience pain in the lower back. Counterpressure on the sacrum can really help with the pain. Rubbing the arms and neck can also be soothing between contractions to relax the mother. Massage is a wonderful natural pregnancy remedy that relaxes and combats pain!