HOW TO DO REBOZO MASSAGE MASSAGE DURING PREGNANCY

The Rebozo technique is easy to learn, you can do them with your partner at home. The movements help on the back pain and take the baby in the right position for the birth.

During pregnancy the rebozo is used to provide the mother comfort and well-being, through the “Manteado” which is a soft movement in the belly, the head and the buttocks.

This can help the baby to rotate during pregnancy or descend through the birth canal more easily, so in many cases, a C – section can be avoided.

Back Massage - standing position

What's the Effect:

Relaxes the lower back and pelvic area

When:

During the dilatation stage

During pregnancy

Tips and Considerations about Standing position:

- The pregnant women should stand with her feet slightly apart. To avoid slipping, the removal of socks and shoes is preferable.

- Place the rebozo around the hips, from the waist to the upper part of the thighs, in order to cover the whole pelvic area.

- The rebozo should be centered on the woman’s tailbone, so that there is an equal amount of cloth to hold onto on each side.

- Grasp both ends of the rebozo and ensure a firm grip by wrapping them around the wrists

- Start with a relaxed rhythm, pulling from one side of the cloth to the other. You should be moving in the same way as the pregnant woman, ensuring that she is not taking the lead and moving the rebozo herself.

- It can be short or large movements, depending on the pregnant woman’s preferences.

Waist Massage

- The pregnant woman stands, as described above, or sitting down with the rebozo is folded in half and placed around her waist.

- Check if the woman prefers to place her arms inside the rebozo. Leaving her arms outside will give her more movement in the shoulders.

Sitting- Upper Back Massage

What's the Effect:

- Relaxes the shoulders, back and torso
- Encourages movement during contractions

When:

During Birth

During pregnancy

Tips and Considerations:

- The pregnant woman should sit on the edge of the chair, so she has space to lean back.

- Place the open rebozo over the shoulders and back, ensuring it is evenly distributed. When leaning back, she should feel supported on all sides by the rebozo.

- Commence in a slow fashion, building to a more intensive rhythm.

- To ensure her continued relaxation, ask the woman about her preferences.

Back Massage – sitting position

What's the Effect:

- Relaxes the lower back and the buttocks.
- Encourages movement during contractions.

When:

During the dilatation stage

During pregnancy

Tips and Considerations:

- The pregnant woman should sit on the edge of the chair, so she has space to lean back. with the rebozo covering her buttocks and lower back.

- If the mom leans back slightly apart, she must feel that she is supported on all sides by the rebozo.

- Make sure it is evenly distributed so that you have equal amounts of cloth to hold onto.

- Make sure that the rebozo is taut and that your arms are straight.

- The mom should experience that you are not pulling hard.

- It helps the pregnant woman with Braxton- Hicks contractions or during labor, as a result of the relaxation of the belly muscles.

- Try to smoothly move the rebozo from one side to the other side, increasing in intensity as the woman desires.

Hammock Massage

What's the Effect:

- Relaxes the pelvis and the pelvic floor
- Relaxes the lower back
- Cradles the baby in the belly
- Encourages movement during contractions

When:

During the dilatation stage

During pregnancy

Tips and Considerations about Hammock Massage:

- The pregnant woman should position herself on her elbows and knees, or if it’s more comfortable, she could use a birthing ball or a sofa for support.

- Her knees must be far apart allowing as much room as possible for the belly which should hang free.

- Standing behind the woman, you should center the rebozo under the belly, holding both its ends, so the belly is hanging in the rebozo like a hammock

- Make sure the rebozo is not tight on the belly, moving it gently from side to side. - Continue to monitor the needs of the pregnant woman.

- You can also pull the belly upwards, holding it in this position for a few seconds, to relieve the pregnant woman of the weight of the belly.

- We recommend that if you are using a birthing ball, place a rebozo or a soft towel on the surface, to provide a more comforting smell and contact.

Head Massage

What's the Effect:

- Relaxation of the neck.

When:

POST-PARTUM

During pregnancy

Tips and Considerations:

- The woman should lie on the floor, with a pillow below her knees if necessary.

- Either on your knees or standing, lift the rebozo so that the woman’s head is slightly off the floor and use a rolling movement from left to right. Ensure the head is fully supported by the rebozo.

- As with all the movements, the woman should dictate the manner of movement she finds most pleasant.

Lying Massage

What's the Effect:

- Relaxation of all the pelvis and back

When:

Postpartum ceremony
During pregnancy

Tips and Considerations:

- The mom lies on her back, it will be nice if she is not direct to the floor as it can be cold. The head can be resting on a pillow.

- The legs can be extended on the floor, she can have a pillow below her knees or she can bend the knees.

- It is important to place your feet as close to the woman as possible, so you can have a better balance and it’s not so hard for you.

- Anbring rebozoen under kvindens balder. Være sikker på at rebozoen dækker hele bækkenområdet fra taljen og til lårene.

- The center of the rebozo is below the tailbone of the woman

- Wrap the rebozo around your wrists, so you can get a good grip.

- The firm grip is needed when you are lifting the woman up a little bit

- Grasp the end of the rebozo, bend your knees a little bit and be sure your back is straight.

- Move the rebozo from one side to the other side

- Always ask the mom how intense she will like the movement, if slow and rolling or short and fast.

Manteada

What's the Effect:

- Relaxation of the lower back, pelvic floor and the buttocks.
- Relieves general back pain.

When:

During the dilatation stage

During pregnancy

During Postpartum

Tips and Considerations:

- Wrap the rebozo around the pregnant woman’s hips of the woman, covering all the buttocks from the waist to the upper legs.

- Move the rebozo in a short back and forth rhythm, or in a fast vibrating motion as the pregnant woman chooses

- You may also move in a figure eight to fully relax the pelvis.

- Strive to be as close to the pregnant woman as possible, kneeling on one or both knees. When you put downwards pressure on the rebozo, you will further involve the lower back in the movement, and pulling the rebozo forward will allow a massaging of the buttocks which has a relaxing effect on the pelvic floor.

- We recommend that if you are using a birthing ball, place a rebozo or a soft towel on the surface, to provide a more comforting smell and contact.