Pregnancy Massage Spa Services in Houston

It’s no secret that a massage is good for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. When you are pregnant, a massage can help with joint pain, relax your mind, give you renewed energy, alleviate stress, and help you maintain a healthy pregnancy. But what is an induction massage? When should you consider an induction massage, and why would you need one?

We know the days or weeks leading up to labor can be the most uncomfortable and stressful. It’s important to know that the “due date” is actually a “due window” of several weeks, and babies won’t come before they are ready! How long a woman can be pregnant varies, although pregnancy is generally thought to last 40 weeks.
In the past, full-term was used to describe pregnancy that lasted from three weeks before the due date to three weeks after, or 37 to 42 weeks. In late 2012, it was recognized that babies born at different times during that five-week window had varying outcomes and challenges, so the working definition of “full-term” was modified, with an official statement from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). A baby’s lungs, liver, and brain continue to develop during those last weeks of pregnancy, so it’s important to take that into account if you are considering an induction massage.

The new definition of “full-term” actually breaks “term” into various levels.

• Early-Term: 37 through 38 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy
• Full-Term: 39 through 40 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy
• Late-Term: 41 weeks through 41 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy
• Post-Term: 42 weeks and after

These ‘terms’ are important because a baby born during weeks 39 and 40 tend to do best and have a lower risk of breathing problems, infections, or spending time in the NICU. 

You should not consider an induction massage until you have reached the full-term level of your pregnancy. If you’ve reached Full-Term, an induction massage can aid in the natural transition into labor. An induction massage focuses on acupressure points found in the back to the legs, feet, and hands which can do several things.

• An induction massage can help release your sacrum and pelvic area to create more space for your baby to come down into your pelvis
• An induction massage will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to stimulate labor
• An induction massage decreases stress hormones and increases natural Oxytocin which is the primary hormone responsible for childbirth and bonding
• An induction massage allows your body to reach a deep relaxing state while stimulating these points so your body can do what it naturally is designed to do

An induction massage is a good option for pregnant women who are fearful of acupuncture or who are suffering from stress, anxiety or fatigue. There is no guarantee that an induction massage will induce labor, but because it relaxes you, it can put you back on the labor path and encourage labor.

Before you decide if an induction massage is right for you, it’s important to discuss this with your Doctor or midwife. At Motherhood Center, our massage therapists are trained to give induction massages, and love to help soon to be moms reach the point where they are laboring, and the new baby is welcomed into this world. Before you book an induction massage at Motherhood Center, we do require authorization from your Doctor or midwife, and you must be full-term or 39 weeks.

Most people willing to spend the time and money on a massage are looking for time and space to relax their body and mind, but massage provides benefits well beyond a few minutes of relaxation.

Massage is a crucial component to a healthy lifestyle. By helping to alleviate stress, lower blood pressure, and working the lymphatic system, the health benefits of massage are just as helpful as the peace and relaxation it provides.

Prenatal massage is chock-full of benefits. Pregnancy is an amazing experience but it can also lead to a multitude of new stressors. Aside from taking the time and space to slow down and reset, massage can also help maintain a healthy pregnancy. By getting regular massages you help lower high-stress levels, restore blood flow to areas stifled by your ever-changing body, and assist your body and mind in finding balance.

We offer a wide variety of massages here at The Motherhood Center. One of my favorites is the induction massage. I am always honored that my clients have allowed me to be a part of this special stage in their pregnancy. As you reach the last few weeks of your pregnancy so much is happening physically, mentally, and emotionally. Regular massages are especially helpful during this time. When you reach your due date, we offer an induction massage to help the body naturally transition into the beginning of the birth of your baby.

In an induction massage we still pay attention to the areas that are problematic for you, but the focus of this type of massage is acupressure points. The stimulation of acupressure points during your induction massage can assist in supporting natural body processes that are underway during the final stages of pregnancy. These points can be found throughout the body from the back to the legs, feet, and hands. By helping you reach deep relaxation while stimulating these points, the body is better able to naturally do what is designed to do.

One of the best experiences I have had as a massage therapist was helping one of my clients who came in, incredibly stressed out. Her doctor wanted to induce labor in two days. During the massage, she was able to relax as I talked to her about the acupressure points I was working. At the very end of the massage, her water broke! With help of Laura, a member of the Motherhood Center team, we called her husband, and helped her get ready to go to the hospital. She delivered a beautiful baby the next morning. While this is not a typical result of an induction massage, I was glad to be there for my client.