Friday 20 December 2013

MASSAGE AND PREGNANCY - PRENATAL MASSAGE



Therapeutic massage has been used for centuries to improve overall health, reduce stress, and relieve muscle tension. Massage and pregnancy has often received ambivalent responses from the health community regarding the safety and purpose of massage during pregnancy. Modern investigation and research is proving that prenatal massage therapy can be a very instrumental ingredient in women’s prenatal care and should be given careful consideration.
Although most massage training institutions teach massage therapy for women who are pregnant, it is best to find a massage therapist who is certified in prenatal massage. The APA does work with some massage therapists who are trained to work with pregnant women, but it is still important to ask about qualifications.

Massage and Pregnancy: Benefits of prenatal massage

Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.
Massage therapy addresses different needs through varying techniques, one of which is called Swedish Massage, which aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Swedish Massage is the recommended prenatal massage method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts during pregnancy.

Hormone regulation

Studies done in the past 10 years have shown that hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered, leading to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health, when massage therapy was introduced to women’s prenatal care. In women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks, hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (“stress hormones”) were reduced and dopamine and serotonin levels were increased (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression). These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence points strongly to maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.

Reduction of swelling

Edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy, is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissues to reduce collection of fluids in swollen joints, which also improves the removal of tissue waste, carried by the body’s lymph system.

Improvement of nerve pain

Sciatic nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through regular massage.
Other potential benefits of prenatal massage:
  • Reduced back pain
  • Reduced joint pain
  • Improved circulation
  • Reduced edema
  • Reduced muscle tension and headaches
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
  • Better sleep

Massage and Pregnancy: Precautions for prenatal massage?

As with any therapeutic approach to pregnancy wellness, women should discuss massage with their prenatal care provider. The best way to address the risks of prenatal massage is to be informed and to work together with knowledgeable professionals.

Body position during prenatal massage

Many professionals consider the best position for a pregnant woman during massage is side-lying. Tables that provide a hole in which the uterus can fit may not be reliable and can still apply pressure to the abdomen, or allow the abdomen to dangle, causing uncomfortable stretching of the uterine ligaments. Consult your massage therapist before your first appointment to verify what position they place their clients in during the massage.

Seek an appropriate massage therapist

It is important to seek care from a certified prenatal massage therapist. Certified therapists have received training beyond the national standards for massage therapists and know how to address specific pregnancy and massage needs and sensitive areas of the body.

Be aware of sensitive pressure points

Trained prenatal massage therapists are aware of pressure points on the ankles and wrists that can gently stimulate pelvic muscles, including the uterus. Certified prenatal massage therapists are trained to avoid very specific and intentional pressure to these areas during pregnancy. Any woman who has experienced pre-term contractions or consistent Braxton-Hicks contractions should alert her therapist to that fact so that pressure points can be avoided completely.
Women with the following conditions should speak with a health care provider prior to receiving a massage:

Pregnancy and Massage: Is prenatal massage safe throughout the entire pregnancy?

Women can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy – during the first, second, or third trimester. Many facilities will refuse to offer massage to a woman who is still in her first trimester because of the increased statistics for miscarriage associated with the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Pregnancy and Massage: Prenatal Massage as part of Prenatal Care

The benefits of massage can improve overall prenatal health for many pregnant women. Along with the guidance and advice of a prenatal care provider, massage therapy can be incorporated into routine prenatal care as an emotional and physical health supplement proven to improve pregnancy outcome, and maternal health. Consult with your midwife or obstetrician before beginning any new therapeutic practice.
Last Updated: 01/2013

Compiled using information from the following sources:
Field, T. (1999). Pregnant Women Benefit From Massage Therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mar;20(1):31-8.
Field, T. (2004). Massage Therapy Effects on Depressed Pregnant Women. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jun;25(2):115-22.
Heimlich, Patti, RMT, CD, ICCE, The Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy, Labor & Postpartum. www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/houston/massage/htm. Article accessed online 10/18/2007.
Howell ,Julie, NMT, PMT, Prenatal Health Through Massage Therapy: For Women and Their Babies. www.newlifejournal.com/decjan03/howell/01/03/full.shtml. Article accessed online 10/18/2007.


Article taken from: http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/prenatalmassage.html


Wednesday 18 December 2013

BIDAN OH BIDAN ... DI MANA KAU BIDAN?



Sebagai seorang pengamal perbidanan, perawat, terapis mahupun perunding perbidanan, atau dalam Bahasa Inggerisnya, kita panggil "Confinement Consultant", perlu rajin membaca dan membuat rujukan.

Pelbagai kes-kes baru yang kita hadapi semasa berhadapan dengan pesakit / klien / pelanggan.

Lain pesakit, lain masalahnya.

Antara buku-buku rujukan yang boleh didapati di pasaran:

1)  Urut Tradisional Melayu Warisan Opah Umi, ditulis oleh Hajjah Sharifah Umi Kelesom Syed Mohamed Zin.  Lebih mesra, kalau dipanggil Opah Umi.

Saya sering berbincang dengan Opah Umi berkenaan dengan hal-hal perbidanan.


Buku ni senang dibawa ke mana sahaja.  Nak jumpa pelanggan pun saya bawa, senang kita nak "educate", sebab banyak gambar and easy to follow.
Looks like a simple SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).

It's like a walking dictionary for me especially when it comes to explaining to clients. As you know, a picture may explain a thousand words.


2)  Ensiklopedia Perbidanan Melayu
     ditulis oleh Datin Sharifah Anisah bt Tan Sri Barakbah 


Buku rujukan penting untuk semua pengamal perbidanan. Seringkali saya membuat rujukan kertaskerja / teaching module menggunakan buku ini.

3)  Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practice Guidelines on Malay Postnatal Care, First Edition, June 2009, by Traditional & Complementary Medicine Division, Ministry  of  Health Malaysia.


My first book, and my first reference guide. 
Sebelum ni, memang ada buku-buku rujukan semasa mengikuti kelas di IBD UTM KL.

And, i remembered with this book, I taught my staff as well. I knew Puan Safi has taught and trained my staff, but to get additional information, you must read, read and read. KEEP ON READING OK.

Don't be complacent with what you have and what you have achieved.  I don't like people who are living in their comfort zone.

Sebab, orang yang sudah membidan 13 tahun pun masih lagi sanggup menapak ke IBD UTM untuk belajar. (Ini Kak Long Syimah Ismail, thank you Kak Long, for all the advice, teachings and moral support)

Mak Long pula datang jauh dari Kedah, umur dah 60 lebih, dan sudah membidan selama 30 tahun, masih lagi berikhtiar untuk belajar bersama saya di IBD UTM.  Respek saya, di atas kesungguhan dia.

So, yang muda-muda, jangan malas ya nak menimba ilmu pengetahuan.

(Tujuan saya menulis bukan sekali-kali untuk men "demotivate" yang muda ya, tidak berniat sama sekali, saya teruja melihat kegigihan golongan veteran yang lebih bersemangat menimba ilmu, itu sahaja)

Please lar, give respect to the oldies, walaupun mereka tu belajar berdasarkan pengalaman sahaja.

So, what is that complacent all about?








com·pla·cent
kəmˈplāsənt/






adjective
adjective: complacent



  1. 1. showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
    "you can't afford to be complacent about security"
    synonyms:
    smugself-satisfied, self-congratulatory, self-regarding, conceited








        1. gloating, triumphantproud;




        1. "in this competitive field we can't afford to be complacent"



















4)  Traditional and Complementary Medicine Practice Guidelines on Malay Massage, Second Edition, November 2009, by Traditional & Complementary Medicine Division, Ministry  of  Health Malaysia.

Dapat buku ni masa pergi Roadshow AKTA 756 kelmarin, di Hospital Rehabilitasi Cheras.  Can't wait to share this with my coming students.

OK then, got to prepare for my teaching modules again ...

Sunday 1 December 2013

THE IMPORTANCE OF POSTNATAL CARE





The postnatal period – defined here as the first six (6) weeks after birth – is critical to the health and survival of a mother and her newborn. The most vulnerable time for both is during the hours and days after birth. 



Lack of care in this time period may result in death or disability as well as missed opportunities to promote healthy behaviours, affecting women, newborns and children.





Since last century, traditional medicine has been playing a major role in providing healthcare to mankind. Traditional and complementary medicine is getting more popular in our community for the purpose of healing diseases and healthcare.




One of the aim in traditional postnatal care is to prevent postnatal depression or “gila meroyan” in Malay as this complication may arised in the postnatal period. The incidence of postnatal depression (gila meroyan) is low in Malaysia estimated to be at 3.9% due to vast majority of Malaysian women still observed the traditional postnatal beliefs and practices.


The Ministry of Health, Malaysia is promoting a continuum of care which integrates traditional medicine and modern medicine for the purpose of maternal well-being.


Objectives:

  • To promote Malay postnatal care
  • To ensure appropriate care for postnatal mothers
  • To educate and disseminate information about Malay postnatal care
  • To provide safe practices and discourage harmful traditional practices
  • To detect any postnatal complications that need medical intervention.