Labor Ready Massage
Experience integrated bodywork tailored to prepare body and mind for childbirth—rooted in time-honored traditions and the healing touch of massage therapy.
What to expect:
Labor-ready massage is about intentionally preparing your body and mind for birth. We focus on key muscle groups that benefit from added flexibility and attention to better support labor. To ease anxiety and pre-birth jitters, the session encourages your nervous system to calm and shift into a restorative “rest and digest” state. If you’d like to encourage spontaneous labor, we can include targeted acupressure and gentle craniosacral techniques to support the body’s natural timing. Drawing on principles of traditional Chinese medicine and shiatsu, we also work to release energetic blockages along organ systems and meridians, helping promote smooth energetic transitions that support a positive birthing experience.
-
Possible supportive approaches
Relaxation and stress reduction: Deep breathing, meditation, guided imagery, and prenatal massage can reduce stress hormones that may inhibit labor and promote a sense of readiness.
Gentle movement and positioning: Walking, pelvic tilts, and upright positions encourage gravity and fetal engagement, which can help labor begin naturally.
Acupressure and acupuncture: When performed by trained practitioners experienced with pregnancy, these techniques may stimulate contractions or help balance the body’s energy.
Bodywork and pelvic alignment: Prenatal massage, by a pregnancy‑trained practitioner, or pelvic mobilization may improve comfort and alignment that facilitates labor.
Important notes
These approaches aim to support the body’s natural processes and are not guaranteed to prevent a medically indicated induction.
If induction is recommended for safety reasons, follow your provider’s guidance.
If you’d like, I can tailor suggestions based on your pregnancy stage, any medical considerations, or your comfort level with different practices.
-
Expect an extensive intake conversation! But don’t worry, we start every intake process as a conversation- no hand cramps from too much paperwork here!
-
Safe, gentle and non-invasive massage and bodywork designed to start prepping the body as early as 36 weeks. High risk pregnancies are more than welcome, we will adjust all sessions to your specific health needs.
Holistic and complementary ways to support spontaneous labor and potentially avoid medical induction
While medical induction is sometimes necessary for the safety and well‑being of mother and baby, there are gentle, supportive approaches that may help the body move toward spontaneous labor when it’s appropriate and safe to do so. These practices are not replacements for medical care — always consult your care provider before trying any method — but they can offer emotional, physical, and hormonal support as your body prepares for birth.
-
Clients may also receive stretches, positional releases, tips for more restful sleep, or self massage routines for continued at-home self care, with ongoing check-ins available for continued guidance and support. I also offer education to teach you and your birth partner Techniques to ease discomfort and maintain pelvic mobility can support progress once labor begins, such as counter-pressure or hip squeezes.
If you’d like, I can tailor suggestions based on your pregnancy stage, any medical considerations, or your comfort level with different practices.
