Become a Bouncing Back From BabySM Practitioner - contact me for information on pending classes.
Carolyn J. Wacaser is a nationally certified massage therapist whose desire to positively affect women's health led to the creation of Bouncing Back From Baby sm, a postpartum massage therapy program.
During the twenty-six years of her practice, she has demonstrated her belief that personal growth is as important as professional growth to be a competent professional. She began with a teaching certification, acquired a pre-med background, and studied numerous massage disciplines including cranial sacral, energy work, structural integration, and neuromuscular therapy.
She has worked as an adjunct with psychologists, and with people in twelve-step programs, specifically Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and Incest Survivors Anonymous. She has taught massage to children, to clients who want to learn how to massage a loved one, as well as trains massage therapists as Bouncing Back From Baby practitioners.
Her focus on working with women during the childbearing year grew as she networked with ob/gyn's, midwives, pre-natal instructors, pre- and post-natal exercise instructors, lactation counselors, and pediatricians. She has taught Infant Massage classes, been a doula at many births, and as she has worked with couples having two, and now three children, is involved in the ongoing information seeking about child-development, day care, full-time fathers, cultural contradictions of motherhood, etc.
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email: cjspirit2000@yahoo.com
303-988-8440
3190 S Wadsworth Blvd.
Suite 240
Lakewood, CO 80232
3354 N.Paulina
Suite 206C
Chicago, IL 60657
Common Pregnancy Challenges
A brief outline of the anatomical and physiological effects of pregnancy on a woman give an understanding of the challenges we face. The presence of a growing fetus in the uterus adds an extra physiologic load on the mother; and much of the response of the mother to pregnancy is due due to this increased load. The hormones secreted during pregnancy either by the placenta or by the endocrine glands can also cause many reactions in the mother.
Anatomical changes
- The uterus increases from about 30 grams to about 700 grams, and the breasts approximately double in size.
The uterus eventually occupies nearly the entire abdomino-pelvic cavity. Abdominal organs are pushed superiorly and encroach on the thoracic cavity, causing the ribs to flare (rib cage expands 2" to 3"). The function of the diaphragm is restricted.
The increased abdominal mass changes the woman's center of gravity; lordosis and backache are common. Structural instability occurs as pelvic ligaments and weight-bearing joints are loosened by placental relaxin.
- A typical weight gain during pregnancy in a woman is 24-29 pounds (~7 lbs is fetus, ~4 lbs is amniotic fluid, placenta, and fetal membranes; uterus increases ~2 lbs, breasts increase ~3 lbs).
- Ligaments are for stability in a joint. As they 'soften' during pregnancy, the supporting muscles take over for movement and for posture. Postpartum, these muscles need to be addressed.
Physiological Changes
- As the placenta grows and develops, it requires more blood, and as the fetus enlarges, it needs more oxygen and produces greater amounts of wastes that must be excreted. Consequently, the mother's blood volume, cardiac output, breathing rate, and urine production all tend to increase in response to fetal demands.
Human placental lactogen (HPL) has anabolic effects (promotes growth of fetus) and promotes glucose sparing in the mother. Human chorionic thyrotropin (HCT) increases the rate of maternal metabolism throughout pregnancy.
Many women suffer morning sickness, heartburn, and constipation during pregnancy.
The kidneys produce more urine, and pressure on the bladder may cause frequency, urgency, and stress incontinence.
Vital capacity (due to fetal need for O2) and respiratory rate increase, but residual volume decreases (thoracic cavity encroachment). Dyspnea (labored or difficult breathing) is common.
Total body water and blood volume increase dramatically. Heart rate and blood pressure rise, resulting in enhancement of cardiac output of 20% to 40% in the mother.
Maternal antibodies are passed into fetal blood, giving the fetus naturally acquired passive immunity, which may remain effective for six months to a year after birth.
Quite a daunting list!! As we talk about the changes that happen with each trimester, now you have the basis for these changes.
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