Why Craniosacral Therapy for Mothers?
Birth stretches our minds, bodies and hearts to the limit.
During our time in the womb, our nervous system is a mirror of our mother’s.
We are as much affected by her experiences and beliefs as our bodies are crafted by the diet and environment available to her.
Support during the childbearing year can profoundly contribute to the physical and emotional health of mother, baby and their family through the journey of the childbearing year.
Treatments are offered for all gestations of pregnancy from conception to birth, and beyond.
Craniosacral for Pregnancy
Craniosacral Therapy acknowledges how interwoven we are with our babies from the very beginning.
Supporting the nervous system in this way allows our bodies to find a resourced, calm state to restore mind and body and empower us for birth.
Experience better digestion, posture and sleep: physically, Craniosacral Therapy addresses the deeper layers of tissue around the uterus, pelvic bowl and diaphragm to bring relief to mothers experiencing pelvic discomfort or back pain, heartburn and shortness of breath. Emotionally, this level of awareness around previous birth experiences, sexual trauma or scar tissue can be deeply healing.
Prenatal Care Sessions
Prenatal sessions are 75 minutes and are a combination Craniosacral Therapy and soft tissue work with plenty of time for supportive pillowing, stretching and relaxation.
Pillowing: Rather than use specialty pregnancy pillows or bolsters, we use commonly available pillows to support the body so that the level of comfort experienced in my office can be re-created at home. Sessions are focused in side-lying & reclining positions.
Stretches: Prenatal sessions include Pelvic Stabilization technique, a series of stretches that release the hips and pelvis evenly to stabilize the gait and reduce pelvic ‘tipping’ to ease common pregnancy discomforts and support optimal fetal positioning.
Belly Massage: abdominal massage is optional depending on a mother’s need and comfort level. We are not massaging the uterus itself - but focusing on releasing the respiratory diaphragm and soft tissue attachments of the uterus in order to reduce anterior hip and pubic bone pain, and shortness of breath. Allowing for more space here can improve heartburn & digestion as well allowing baby space to adjust their position.
Bodywork during pregnancy may relieve common discomforts:
- Swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Joint discomfort (hips/pubis symphysis)
- Disrupted sleep
- Leg cramps
- Indigestion
Many moms take home new tips to stay comfortable through the night and for the duration of their pregnancy!
Have more questions?
Ready to book a session?
My pregnancy has been very enjoyable and I believe your caring touch has contributed. Thank you! I look forward to scheduling another session before our babies arrive.
Paige (mother of twins)
Postpartum
After birth, our bodies are doing the best they can to assimilate a host of new emotions and a rollercoaster of hormones similar to those we experienced in pregnancy.
In these sessions, we are addressing any overstrained or out of balance physical structures while holding space for the emotional experiences of birth to be processed and healed.
Creating time and space to rebalance in this way positively effects on bonding, breastfeeding and family relationships for years to come.
Postpartum Care Sessions
75 minute sessions supporting the needs of the post-birth body and new mother.
Positioning: Bodywork post-birth mirrors a prenatal session by favoring side lying positions and pillow changes to support: the sore hips & shoulders of breastfeeding bodies as well as labor, birth & cesarean recovery.
Body-care: Shoulders and low back take much of the brunt in breastfeeding and baby care. Recognition of these areas supports relaxation and rest, smoothing the transition into new experiences of motherhood.
Recovery: It is not unusual for the body to take some time after birth to realize the pregnancy is over and a new season has begun. Focusing on the new alignment of mind, body and experience, we hold space for this recognition and the attending emotions.
Birth Events
Each birth is as unique as the person being born. Challenging experiences from conception to postpartum are part of the story.
Craniosacral Therapy is uniquely suited to address adhesions, headaches and lasting effects from epidurals or anesthesia related to Cesarean birth or post-partum hemorrhage.
Awareness of challenges around conception and prenatal experience can show up in our experiences after birth; the same can be said for inductions, hospital transfers or separation after birth. Understanding what this looks like in our experience after the birth and how to approach it is part of postpartum and newborn sessions.
Have more questions?
Ready to book a session?
Aside from her exceptional ability to provide ease to the stressed pregnancy body, she also offered support in the mental realm. She continuously took an interest in my overall wellbeing as well as that of the baby’s. While I was nervous with all the new elements, Emily provided a strong, patient, and calm presence at all times. I feel very fortunate to have met her, and give her my utmost recommendation.
C.R.