I’m Emma McIntyre and I’m a mother and a massage therapist.
When I was pregnant I was very uncomfortable. In fact, I was in a lot of pain at times while my body made room for the little one inside me. I couldn’t even walk without being in agony. All I wanted was massage by a pair of warm and gentle hands and someone to talk to who understood what I was going through. I had just finished my diploma of massage so I knew what wonderful benefits massage could offer. The problem was that I couldn’t find anyone who was prepared to massage a pregnant woman.
So there I was, getting bigger, more uncomfortable and more upset as time went on. It felt like the loneliest time of my life because no one seemed to understand what was happening to me. How do you explain something like this to your partner when he is over the moon at the idea of becoming a dad?
Everyone kept saying “Don’t worry. It’s normal to cry. Your hormones are all over the place” but no one seemed to understand that it was more than that. I was depressed and in an emotional black hole that I couldn’t get out of. There was no one to talk to. I couldn’t even talk to my midwife because there was a different one at every appointment. I had never felt more alone in my life.
Finally, towards the end of my pregnancy I found a massage therapist who was prepared to help me. She lived an hour away from my home but nothing could have kept me away from her. Massage made such a difference to the way I was feeling. It helped release the pain and soothed my muscles but, more importantly, it soothed me emotionally as well. It took away some of the darkness I had been living with. With her, I had regular, continuous and familiar support helping me cope. She helped me survive my pregnancy.
Once I had my baby I decided that there was no way I was going to let other women suffer as I had when there was such a simple solution available.
I went back to school so that I could specialise in Pregnancy, Post–Natal and Infant massage. I have to say that I absolutely love my job. With some modifications, there is no reason that any pregnant woman should avoid massage and have to tolerate pain throughout her pregnancy. No woman should ever have to feel alone.
I work with you to create the perfect massage experience. I have been where you are now and I care about your dignity and comfort. I offer you massage but I also offer you support, care and compassion when you need it.
Oh yes, I’m also pretty keen on the wonderful Dr Seuss and his words of wisdom, too. Some humour, some comfort and a lot of love will change your pregnancy experience into something that you can manage and even enjoy.