Bodywork for the Childbearing Year® approaches the concerns of the pregnant, laboring, and postpartum woman with a comprehensive program of advanced massage techniques and specific pregnancy, labor, and postpartum support measures. Sessions taught take therapists far beyond general adaptations of massage for the pregnant body. Students learn to competently and confidently address the specific structural, physiological, and psychological discomforts of pregnancy.
This workshop presents the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth in the context of those techniques that therapists can most effectively use to provide relief and support to their pregnant clients. Students learn to identify contraindications to pregnancy massage, as well as to recognize high-risk pregnancies. Participants are provided with intake forms for clients and release forms for health care providers and learn how to use them appropriately. Relevant research documenting the benefits of touch during the childbearing year is presented to prepare students to describe the benefits of pregnancy, labor, and post-partum massage to health care providers.
Bodywork for the Childbearing Year®‚ provides an intensive hands-on learning experience. Instruction is 25% lively lecture and discussions and 75% demonstration and practice of techniques. One of the outstanding features of the program is an opportunity to work on a pregnant client in a practicum session during the course.
Alexander Technique/Posture and body use skills
Students learn the Alexander Technique to evaluate pregnancy and postpartum clients and to educate them in efficient pain-free body mechanics. Students also are taught to focus on their own body use to maximize their ease and comfort while working.
Marketing strategy and ethics
Pregnancy massage therapy now flourishes in many professional setting, including private massage practices; hospitals; birthing centers; and physicians’, midwives’, and chiropractor’ offices. The unique challenges of reaching this target market are met with presentations of effective promotional strategies selected from the experiences of over 3,000 graduates of this program. The ethical issues that arise in working with pregnant women are also addressed.
If you wish to find a certified Bodywork for the Childbearing Year® therapist, please contact us for the graduates in your area.