Pre- and Perinatal Massage

Materials

• Text - 311 pages (with access to online resources and video)
• Multiple-choice test
• Certificate upon completion

Description

Expectant mothers endure many changes as their bodies adjust to accommodate and sustain another life. Prenatal massage is of great benefit to clients who are expecting. Through this continuing education course you will build a comprehensive foundation to safely and effectively support the mother in pregnancy and childbirth. Clinical protocols and relevant procedures, supplemented by abundant references, photos and illustrations, the course text covers the techniques and benefits of therapeutic massage and bodywork throughout pregnancy, labor and the postpartum period.

In this course, you will learn:

• the primary benefits of pre and perinatal massage therapy
• how prenatal massage can reduce musculoskeletal strain and pain
• key elements pertaining to correct positioning and pressure, methodological precautions and contraindications
• pregnancy complications and high-risk pregnancies
• essential massage recommendations for each trimester
• preparations for labor
• labor massage therapy concepts and attributes of active and transition phases of first stage labor and second stage labor
• essentials for supporting a cesarean birth and self-care for labor assistants
• postpartum guidelines and precautions for massage practitioners

General guidelines for effective, safe therapy are presented, with specific contraindications and precautions relevant to each trimester.

Course Objectives

1. Identify the primary benefits of pre- and perinatal massage therapy.
2. Recognize how pre-natal massage can reduce musculoskeletal strain and pain.
3. Describe at least one key element in each of the following: correct positioning, methodological precautions and contraindications.
4. Define the term “high-risk pregnancy.”
5. List the most common pregnancy complications.
6. Identify the essential recommendations for each trimester.
7. Identify the essential preparations for labor.
8. Describe at least one key element in the active and transition phases of first stage labor.
9. Describe at least one key element in second stage labor.
10. Identify the essential elements in supporting cesarean birth and in self-care for labor assistants.
11. Recognize the three components of postpartum adjustments and healing.
12. Describe at least one key postpartum guideline or precaution for practitioners.

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Instructors

Sharon Burch, MSN, RN, NCTMB

Sharon Burch holds a Masters Degree in Nursing and has been practicing as a nurse since 1974. She is currently a Registered Nurse in the state of Arkansas. Additionally, Ms. Burch studied under many of today's leaders in massage therapy and bodywork during the 1980s, became Nationally Certified through the NCBTMB in 1993 and holds a professional membership with the AMTA.

As founder of Health Positive!, Ms. Burch has created over 60 home study nursing and massage continuing education programs, performed over 65 public, live educational presentations, has written two published books, served as a member on the NCBTMB Continuing Education committee and was a founding member of the National Association of Nurse Massage Therapists.

Sharon is an instructor on many of the Institute's programs and has authored and co-authored various ethics courses and additional titles such as Touch for the Seriously Ill, Stress Reduction Through Bodywork, Staying Well – Naturally, Cardiopulmonary Health and Illness, Chronic Pain Management, Marketing Massage in Four Easy Steps, Preventing Medical Errors, HIV Update for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers, Understanding HIV, Massage for Edema and more.