Massage During Labor

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Labor can be very stressful. When a person is stressed, their sense of pain is increased. Massage during labor helps to relax you, decreasing the pain. It is also provides emotional support and encouragement to help make your birth experience a good one.

Q: How will having a massage therapist in the room during my labor affect my husband's role?

A: It won't. I am a massage therapist; I am not a coach. The baby's father, your husband is your coach, and I don't interfere with his role. He is father of your child and he has a shared history that is important in providing the mother with emotional support.

Q: How much does it cost and what does it include?

A: The cost is $400. The fee does not increase depending on the length of the labor, nor does it decrease. The cost includes; A massage before the due date. A meeting with mom and dad where we will practice having contractions and working together as a team. Massage and support through the labor. A postpartum massage at your home, focusing on returning the body to homeostasis (balance). And an infant massage class for mom, dad, siblings, grandparents, and any other relatives that would like to attend.

Q: What are the benefits to having your massage therapist in the delivery room?

A: Massage reduces stress and promotes relaxation, even through contractions. The more relaxed you are the less painful the contractions will feel. The more stressed you are the more painful the contractions will feel. Massage also helps the discomforts of back labor. I also use reflexology. Reflexology is a technique in which you can affect the physiology of the body through working specific reflex points on the hands and feet. Depending upon the rate at which your labor progresses, I may try some visualization techniques.

Q: What are my qualifications?

A: See Bio

By Janelle A. Chambers CMT
Certified Massage Therapist and
member of the American Massage
Therapy Association