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L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 73 P regnancy is one of life's most precious—and most stressful— opportunities. Committed to the best for her baby, the pregnant person can pressure herself in so many ways to be perfect. It is hard to eat right, exercise just enough, and maintain a job, especially as pregnancy's common discomforts get in the way. For those who are hesitant about being pregnant, all these difficulties are heightened. In other words, for nearly everyone, in one way or another, pregnancy and stress are inseparable. Where does this pregnancy stress originate? How does it affect pregnancy outcomes? How can relaxation, particularly from massage therapy, reduce the negative effects of stress? Let's explore these questions. A Time of Transitions and Expectations Pregnancy brings many changes for all involved. As her body transforms, a woman must adjust to her altered physiological functioning. The shape of her pregnant body shifts, and her gait and other movement patterns usually alter. As her hair and skin and hormones change, she may feel as though she is no longer her former physical or emotional self. Pregnancy is often a time of upheaval and anxiety, as well as a time of euphoria and joy. In a single day, a pregnant person's emotions may fluctuate tremendously. Her relationships to her partner, parents, friends, and coworkers will all change. Issues that may have been repressed sometimes resurface, including the legacies of physical and emotional abuse. A new baby can stretch emotions, finances, and careers—often all at the same time—and can especially strain families with fewer resources. An alarming number of pregnant people also suffer abuse from their partners. 1 Furthermore, one-quarter of pregnancies are at higher risk of developing serious, sometimes life-threatening, medical complications. Pregnant people who are single, lesbian, nonbinary, disabled, or surrogates often have additional challenges unique to their nontraditional situations. In this period, when every person needs support, many find themselves isolated, without the community and familial support of former times or of kin-based cultures. Pregnancy is also suffused with expectation. Many people have more apparent control than ever over whether, when, and how they become pregnant. They are increasingly likely to delay pregnancy and have fewer children. 2 The result is a growing number of people whose pregnancies are deliberately timed or come after investing years and thousands of dollars in assisted reproductive technology treatments. These pregnancies can take on greater significance and emotional investment. Popular culture can create the expectation of childbearing as a romantic, blissful time; for many people, the reality is more complicated. Some dislike the feeling of being pregnant. Some are overwhelmed by the abundance of childbirth education and other choices available to them, and Considerations and Techniques for the Pregnant Client REMINDER Be prepared to support and care for clients who may have a wide range of feelings about their pregnancies, and those having varying socioeconomic and familial support systems. By Carole Osborne, Michele Kolakowski, and David M. Lobenstine Editor's Note: This excerpt is adapted from the newly released third edition of Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy (Scotland: Handspring Publishing Limited, 2021, www.handspringpublishing.com). Below, you will find an introduction to the ever-evolving understanding of the relationship between stress, pregnancy, and therapeutic touch, followed by three of the more than 70 techniques from the book.