mother & baby
“I must say your massage was incredible. I have enjoyed many massages at some of the most revered spas around the world and found yours to be superior to all of them, clearly very talented and passionate about what you do”
J. Campbell-Howard Cotswolds / Marrakech
Mother to three children, and birth support to friends and family, Abigail has experienced first hand the benefits massage during and after pregnancy.”
“Pregnancy can be life transforming in more ways than we could imagine, it is a valuable gift which can enrich our journey along the path of life.”
“I encourage mother’s to listen to their body’s, helping them form a bond with their unborn baby. I have a broad knowledge of what massage is appropriate at different stages of pregnancy, labour and post natal period.”
“I strongly believe that therapeutic touch is one of the best and most rewarding ways to communicate with babies, continuing the bonding process and just as beneficial to the person providing the massage.”
Benefits for baby
- Relieve colic, constipation, tension, sinuses, growing pains
- Helps regulate sleep
- Improve digestion and elimination
- Improve the immune system
- Helps build self-esteem
- Enhances the natural sense of love and trust
Benefits for the parents
- Improves the ability to know and communicate with baby
- Helps reduce post natal depression
- Builds your confidence as a parent
- Helps develop your relationship with your baby, bonding
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy is a beautiful and natural condition. It is a time of great physical and emotional change which can be immensely enjoyable but sometimes overwhelming.
Massage during pregnancy can be a special time for you to relax and connect with your baby. Even women who have never been massaged before will be delighted with the way massage can relieve some of the discomfort that may be experienced during their pregnancy.
Does my baby feel the massage?
Every emotion has a biochemical component to it. When you feel anxious, for instance, you secrete stress hormones, such as adrenaline and nor-adrenaline. Conversely, when you are relaxed, from a massage let's say, you secrete beta-endorphins which make you feel calm, relaxed and at ease. Since you share a circulatory system with your baby while you are pregnant, it makes sense that whatever you feel is also experienced by your developing baby.
Massage during Labour
This is something the birthing partner can be taught, increasing their natural bond with you and the baby, Research has shown that nurturing touch during labour can enhance emotional stability, decrease anxiety, reduce labour pain, and improves the mothers ability to cope with labour. Shorter labours and less medical intervention are also noted.
There is a lot of pressure on the birthing partner to be an unfailing support throughout the duration of labour, the mother will be relying on you for mental and physical support.
I will spend as much time is needed with the mother and birthing partner explaining and demonstrating simple massage moments, advise on breathing and positioning to help during labour. Easy to understand handouts which you can practice at home and take with you. These sessions are very informal, the focus is not on the birthing partner but you as a couple.
Baby massage
Why Massage your baby?
Infant Massage has physical and psychological benefits for both babies and their parents. The ideal age for babies is birth to pre-crawling.
One on One
Private classes in your own home. This can be particularly enjoyable for you and your baby as they are in your environment and at a time which suits you.
You will massage your baby whilst I guide you through a step-by-step massage routine, which is a carefully balanced combination of Swedish massage, Indian massage, Yoga and Reflexology techniques.
Group Courses
If you have a group of friends or even just your self and one other, I am more than happy to work with up to 8 mothers at one time.
