Postpartum massage and fluid retention

During pregnancy, a woman’s body experiences a dramatic increase in the amount of fluid it holds, and for good reason.

(photo by Arwen Abendstern)

According to the American Pregnancy Association, a woman’s body produces about 50% more blood and body fluids in the course of a normal pregnancy, which make up about 25% of the total weight she gains during these nine months.  The numbers increase with multiple fetuses, too. So, how is this fluid being used in the pregnant woman’s body, and what happens to it after birth when it is no longer necessary?

Both the APA and Merck Manuals mention the following reasons for this extra fluid volume:

• Blood flow increases to the uterus as the placenta and fetus develop
• More fluid is provided to the skin to help with temperature regulation
• The kidneys work harder and use it to release the wastes of the fetus
• Extra fluid is needed to soften the woman’s body and help it expand as the baby develops

You can see this fluid retention for yourself if you press a fingertip along the front of her chin bone and hold it there for about 10 – 15 seconds.  When you release your finger you’ll see an imprint remain for just a moment while the fluid flows back into the area.  This fluid retention is called edema and can be part of a normal pregnancy, especially in the late second and third trimesters.  It’s most commonly found in the hands, face, legs, ankles, and feet.  (However, if the imprint from your finger persists for sometime after you release it, this is called pitting edema; if you notice pitting edema or sudden swelling in the hands and face, please contact your health care provider as these could indicate other conditions.)

(photo by Powel Loj)

Once the baby is born, this extra fluid is no longer necessary.  If you think about it, after 9 months of pregnancy, suddenly not being pregnant anymore is a huge shift for the woman in many ways.  At the moment of birth, her body begins a 6 week process (or longer) of shedding this fluid as her body slowly finds balance again.  Increased urination, profuse sweating, and lochia are some of the main ways this occurs and are incredibly common experiences in the postpartum weeks.

It is also beneficial for her to get a massage within the first 1- 6 weeks after having the baby, keeping in mind that earlier is usually better unless it is unsafe for her due to complications from the birth.  A full body massage focused on circulation and drainage can help this process of “flushing” that is already happening, while supporting her during this transition back to a non-pregnant body.  Massage soon after giving birth provides relief from the physical demands of labor and helps her feel more nurtured herself.  The comfort she finds from receiving bodywork benefits her during her own recovery and helps her to better care for her baby.