Womb Hara Massage
Recently I booked in for a massage with my friend Natalie Andrew from Prepared to Birth and it was amazing!
Natalie practises Womb Hara massage and I hadn't experienced that before, so I was curious to try it firsthand!
The effects of Pregnancy and Birth on the body
In the past, I'd received abdominal massage when I studied Remedial Massage many years ago and before I had kids. I was keen to try this technique, knowing that since I had both my babies, my poor belly had been through a lot.
After my first birth, I noticed that with including pilates, I could build core strength up again and feel stable and secure in my abdomen. I had been checked by a Women's Health Physio for abdominal separation (Diastus Rectii) and it wasn't too severe.
Second birth however and being a little bit older, my core didn't bounce back as well the second time, even with repeating the use of regular pilates to stabilise my core over an 18 month period. I did have a recurrence of Abdominal separation as well.
Its common for women to have a legacy from a Natural vaginal birth (NVB) including abdominal separation, prolapse issues (Bladder, Uterus and Bowel), pelvic floor changes and more.
I was also feeling how many mothers feel - tired, exhausted and stressed!
Natalie Andrew + Holistic Massage
Natalie's business is called Prepared to Birth and her passion is Pregnancy and Birth. She is a Hypnobirthing Australia Certified Practitioner to educate and support couples leading up to their birthing day.
Beyond that, she offers Birth Debrief sessions for clients who may have experienced birth trauma, PTSD, Post Natal depression or anxiety.
She has recently broadened her scope to include bodywork with additional training in Pregnancy Massage, Womb Hara Massage and Lymphatic Massage.
She is part of the Akasa clinic on Sydney's Northern Beaches and walking into the space it is an instant ease on the senses. A calm and relaxing space, perfect for mothers who have a lot on their plate and need a quiet space to receive some nurturing.
Helping with Swelling
I had mentioned that I had noticed some swelling in my legs especially around my knees, that doesn't seem to shift or reduce. I spend a lot of the day on my feet and had a suspicion that had something to do with this sign. My massage began lying face down and Natalie used Lymphatic techniques on my legs with the intention to move the fluid. She also massaged my Upper back and neck, shoulders and lower back.
The Abdominal Massage
Then she turned me over and with an eye pillow to block out the visual sense, she did some work into my arms and hands. Then she moved onto my abdomen. It's hard to describe how relieving it was to have my abdominal area massaged and released, including the diaphragm area. She finished the massage by doing some direct moxibustion on my navel with a slice of ginger. Already it had been very grounding and centring experience. I love the sensation of heat on my abdomen anyway, often feeling the cold there, or the skin is cold to touch.
The final part was to be wrapped - and she explained what was going to happen and if at any time it felt uncomfortable to let her know and she could unwrap me. But the feeling of being fully wrapped up tight - arms and legs, with the eye pillow on, was a remarkable experience. I think she left me there for maybe 10 minutes, but I felt quite 'held' and as i f I could stay there for an extra 20 minutes! It was a comforting and restful way to complete the session.
I would highly recommend Nat for her Pregnancy Massage for mothers-to-be. Or Womb Hara Massage for Mothers needing abdominal release after their births or if they're feeling restriction or tension held in their abdomen.
I already refer my pregnancy clients to Nat for her wonderful Hypnobirthing classes. Now there are even more opportunities for Mother's to experience Natalie's complete suite of services from birth to Postpartum and the Perinatal Phase.
