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How to give yourself a belly massage during pregnancy?

How to give yourself a belly massage during pregnancy?

by Naïf in Blog

A belly massage during your pregnancy provides peace and quiet. Literally and figuratively. During your pregnancy, a lot happens in your body, but also in your mind. To do lists, preparations, not feeling great physically or mentally. To not lose yourself, it can be good to check in with yourself and your baby. With a belly massage you do that naturally, and you also take good care of your skin. Read below how to do it.

About Jill van der Veen

We spoke with Jill van der Veen, who started her own platform Mom • Me • Soul in 2014. Her mission is to provide relaxation to pregnant women with a focus on good recovery, so she can live from her true potential and stand in her power. A belly massage is not only practical to keep the skin supple and soft, but mentally it is also nice to make a better connection with the baby.

'The biggest wish I hear from pregnant women is; I want to enjoy optimally, or even more than the previous pregnancy,' Jill says. ''Massaging your belly is one of the small moments when you make contact with the baby and thus consciously experience your pregnancy and can enjoy it even more. And it's precisely small moments that can contribute to that. It only takes 5 minutes a day and can even be done standing or before you go to sleep, in bed. The more often you do it, the easier you can make contact with the baby. And it contributes to self-care; keeping your beautiful skin soft and supple, and creating a moment of peace. Slowly you will build a routine, and you can also take this with you once the baby is born to bring you both into relaxation. This is a gift for yourself, your baby and your beautiful, powerful body.'


Belly massage step-by-step plan

Step 1. Make yourself comfortable; phone off, dim the lights and put on nice music. Get into a comfortable position, on the couch for example, with your back slightly raised and enough pillows to support your back completely. It is important that there is no gap between your back and the couch. Finally, place a thick pillow under your knees so that your lower back is relieved.

Step 2. Think of your intention. Do you want to experience more relaxation? Or take a moment to think about what's happening in your belly? Maybe you can give a wish to your unborn little one.

Step 3. Warm your hands and let the energy flow through by rubbing your hands together. That also feels nicer on your warm belly.

Step 4. Before you start massaging, make contact with the baby; place your hands on your belly, talk in your thoughts or out loud, or sing a song. If something is on your mind, share it with the baby. Or tell what you're going to do and what your intention is.

Step 5. Apply a nice pregnancy oil or balm to your hands, warm it up between your hands and then rub it over your belly.

Step 6. Vary with different grips: circles clockwise, counter-clockwise, zigzag, stroke downwards, stroke along the groin.

Step 7. Repeat your intention and massage to the rhythm of the music.

Tags: Ask the expert Pregnancy
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