Massage Therapy
Relax, They Said. It'll be Easy, They Said.
Everyone around you is telling you to ‘just relax!’ and simply enjoy this pregnancy. But hey, if it was only that easy! The people around you probably mean well, but it seems impossible to relax if you experience physical pain or discomfort or if you’re worried about the future. The upcoming birth, becoming a parent, this all brings a certain level of uncertainty, which makes it even harder to relax.
Physical Ease, Mental Peace
Imagine feeling relaxed in your body and calm in your mind. How would it feel to be deeply connected to your body, experiencing less discomfort and alleviating pain? Discover the power of touch and the positive effects of happy hormones on you and on your baby. It’s a win-win situation: more relaxation for you means more relaxation for your baby.
When the body is sufficiently relaxed, the mind will naturally calm down.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
What to expect?
After an initial conversation and a soothing cup of tea, we will look at what your body needs in that moment. This might involve standing up, moving around the room, sometimes lying down on the massage table, designed especially for pregnant women. Together we will explore how your body reacts to external stimuli, like touch, massage, sounds, words or even thoughts.
Increased Body Awareness
A relaxed body leads to a calm mind and greater trust in your body. When your body is free from tension, it sends signals of safety and relaxation to your brain. Also read my blog about the nervous system and birth.
As you approach birth, the trust you have cultivated in your body becomes invaluable. A relaxed body and calm mind create an optimal environment for labor, reducing fear and anxiety.
More Trust in Your Body
Trusting your body’s ability to give birth empowers you to work with the natural process of labor, rather than resisting it. This trust can lead to a smoother birthing experience, as you are more likely to stay present, listen to your body’s signals, and manage pain effectively. Getting to know your body better means getting to know yourself better. This is the best preparation for a confident and empowered birthing experience.
Your investment
Investing time and money in your pregnant body is essential for your self-care during pregnancy. This session is designed to let you experience the power of the body/mind connection and how it feels to connect more with your body.
Follow up sessions are 75 min at a rate of € 95. As an accredited massage therapist, I am a member of both VBAG and RBCZ. I adhere to high quality standards, continuous education requirements. My sessions might (partially) reimbursed by your health insurance provider, depending on your additional health care package.
Why Marlene?
Marlene is an accredited somatic massage therapist specialized in shame and guilt. She is also an expert in pregnancy, birth and (early) parenthood through years of experience as a birth doula, childbirth educator and Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator, a physiological approach to childbirth. As a member of VBAG, RBCZ and NbvD, she adheres to high quality standards and continuous education requirements. Depending on the additional package of your health insurance, her sessions might (partially) reimbursed. Originally from Germany, she gave birth to her two children in The Netherlands as an expat (a hospital birth and a homebirth). She experienced first-hand how it feels to navigate this system as a foreigner.
Empowering Mothers, Not Just Births
Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers – strong, competent, capable
mothers who trust themselves and know their inner strength.
-Barbara Katz Rothman-