Written by Jo Hodges, LMT MSG#015344

May is traditionally a time to celebrate growth – growing into mothers and daughters, growing into a new version of yourself through physical, emotional and mental health therapy, growing into a new season! As we think about Mother’s Day and Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s discuss postpartum stress and mental exhaustion. As mothers, you’re often warned about the physical strain that a pregnancy puts on you. You’re prepared for the weight gain, the hormones, the weird cravings, swollen ankles and so much more. But how many can say they were properly informed of the mental weight a baby brings for to-be mothers? Sure, you’re ready for the sleepless nights, but what about the effect that can have with the fatigue and disorientation that’s already caused by cycles of depression? You’re ready for the “post-pregnancy body” as your uterus contracts back to a smaller size, but what about the shame and guilt that often accompanies depression and body image issues? 

In a study done by the CDC in 2015, they found that 1 in 8 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression. This can include irritability, fatigue, anxiety, loss of appetite or overeating, insomnia, and suicidal ideations. On top of all these mental symptoms, you’re still dealing with the physical stress and exhaustion post-labor, and taking care of a brand new baby. What’s going on in your life once you actually have a second to yourself? Though it can be challenging to find the time, the need to take care of yourself in postpartum is extremely important, and helps not only you, but your family and new baby as well! Focusing on self care is crucial in a time when your mental and physical health are less than usual, especially for the year-long process of full-term pregnancy and postpartum. 

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has addressed this need for self care with massage as the solution, showing that massage has benefits beyond the physical relaxation and renewal it provides. The soothing touch, adjustable lighting, and calming music has been proven to lower oxygen consumption levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, rocking the client into a state of relaxation; these are all physical, but affect our mental state nonetheless! Massage has been proven to help with several mental health disorders, from anxiety causing chronic pain to depressive disorders causing fatigue. With postpartum depression, you can have the symptoms from these disorders wrapped all into one, maybe even conflicting with another existing disorder you have diagnosed. Relaxation or therapeutic massage may be a helpful step to recovering physically, mentally, and emotionally from your postpartum symptoms.

We have six therapists on-staff that are available for pregnancy massage, three of which (Missy Schmanlenbach, PA#MSG006570; Pam Perron, PA#MSG010444; Abigayle Parry, PA#MSG015454) are specialized with both pregnancy and postpartum. If you feel ready to take the next step in your new lifestyle, check out our website or call (814) 838-3622 to schedule today! If you’re looking for gifts for a spouse, mother, or both, check out our Mother’s Day Gift Certificate deal for the perfect customizable gift! Pregnancy can make your day-to-day unpredictable and never-ending, especially when coupled with postpartum symptoms – a relaxing, custom gift can make someone’s recovery so much better! Hoping for a smooth pregnancy and postpartum healing for all you expecting moms out there, and thank you to mothers everywhere for all that you do! Happy Mother’s Day, and here’s to hoping May brings more warm weather and flowers for all!