Relax Oil – Lavender, Chamomile and Frankincense

As your body changes during pregnancy you may find your sleep becomes disturbed and muscles strained and achy. This pregnancy and labour massage oil blends nourishing base oils with beautifully scented essential oils to help soothe and calm. …. benefits which are equally important once your baby has arrived. Use with massage, as a luscious body oil or swished into a warm bath to ease aching muscles, help with sleep and relaxation during pregnancy. During labour combine with the massage strokes below or apply to your wrists and inhale the aroma to help calm anxiety and ease pain. Our pump cap makes dispensing easy.

Without

Massage – Strokes for the back can be given while you are seated backwards astride a chair, leaning forwards onto a pillow. If you prefer your can lie on your side with knees together and legs bent – place a pillow under your head and bump and get comfortable (you should choose this position if you have Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction). Your partner should begin by warming Relax oil in their hands and then massage up your back in long slow strokes with the flats of each hand sweeping around your shoulders and stroking back down your sides. For lower back tension in the third trimester and during labour your partner should massage with one hand on top of the other in a circular motion over your hips and buttocks in a figure of eight, using the heel or fingertips to massage more firmly into the buttock area. Then resting one hand gently on your shoulder and the other on top of your sacrum (the flat bone at the base of the spine) they should firmly but gently circle over this area with the heel of their hand. Finally they should stroke down the centre of your back one hand after the other in a flowing motion with each stroke lighter than the one before…..bliss!

Before you begin read Massage for pregnancy.

Within

Ingredients: Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil*, Prunus amygdalus dulcis (Almond) oil*, Prunus armeniaca (Apricot) kernel oil*, Calendula officinalis (Marigold) flower extract*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E from Sunflower), Lavendula angustifolia (Lavender) oil*, Anthemis nobilis (Roman Chamomile) flower oil*, Boswellia neglecta (Frankincense) oil*, Citrus sinensis (Orange) peel oil expressed*, parfum*, Limonene**, Linalool**, Geraniol**, Citronellol**

*from organic agriculture ** naturally occurring in essential oils   99.5% Organic of total. 100% natural origin

Nutrition – Here’s how to eat for a better night’s sleep.

If your nightime is regularly disturbed by pregnancy heartburn you may benefit from eating smaller more frequent portions and eating your last meal at least a couple of hours before bedtime. Eating this way also helps to balance the hormones and transmitters which regulate sleep.

A carbohydrate rich dinner using wholegrains can increase the production of serotonin a calming neurotransmitter. To further boost your serotonin levels add poultry, dairy products, nuts, seeds, legumes, soy products, tuna and bananas to your diet as they are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid used in its production. Give these food combinations a try: chicken salad on whole wheat bread, nut butter and banana sandwich, banana and yoghurt/soy milk smoothie, prawn and egg fried brown rice, wholemeal pitta bread and humus.

If you’re frequently woken by leg cramps you may be low on calcium and magnesium which are important for their calming effect on nerves and muscles. Increase these by including dairy, nuts and green leafy vegetables.

Being well hydrated is important for a good night’s sleep but to avoid increasing the frequent nightime trips to the loo, which can become an issue in later pregnancy, try to get more of your water quota earlier in the day.

In addition to the above, caffeine should of course be avoided.

Sweet dreams……

Massage for pregnancy

During pregnancy massage can benefit skin tone and elasticity and particularly when given by a partner, help reduce stress, anxiety, aches and pains and improve sleep. It can also help you both connect with your unborn baby.

During the first trimester gentle head, hand and foot massage may be welcome but you should avoid massage to the legs, back and abdominal area. In the second trimester proceed gently on the lower back and abdomen.

Avoid massage if you are unwell and over skin that has infectious rashes, cuts, sores, recent bruising or is inflamed. Wait at least an hour after eating a meal.

If you have any medical concerns always check with a health professional.