Becka Bravo, Licensed Pre/Post and Perinatal Massage Therapist is here to answer all of your questions about how massage can improve your health and well-being through all stages of pregnancy and postpartum life. She is here to answer questions about c-section recovery, improving posture while breastfeeding and infant massage!
Hi Becka. I had significant lower back pain after sitting in the hospital bed following the birth of my first. I am due with my second soon and hoping for some stretches/exercises/tips to prevent this this time around. Anything I can do immediately postpartum?
![]() |
Becka B.
Unfortunately, lower back pain is incredibly common (and almost unavoidable) throughout pregnancy and after. But there are certainly some things you can be doing now, preventatively, along with having a postpartum plan. |
![]() |
Becka B.
Also, if you have access to a good massage therapist, I would highly recommend at least a couple sessions prior to the birth to help prepare your body. It can also help make the birthing process less stressful in your body overall - an obvious plus! The same therapist can be immeasurably helpful in relieving some of the lower back and joint pressure while simultaneously helping to promote your lymphatic system after giving birth. Getting those hormones (particularly the Relaxin, which likes to linger) out of your system will help you get back to a more stable and less achy you. |
What's the difference between a prenatal massage when you lay on your side versus when you can lay on your belly (with the special table)? Is one better for you? Should I be looking for someone who has that special table for your belly?
![]() |
Becka B.
This is purely a matter of preference and one therapist may give you a different answer than I will, but here's my two cents... |
Hi, Thank you for answering questions today. I had a really challenging c-section recovery the first time around and am anticipating another c-section with baby #2. What can I do to try and make this a better experience with a faster and easier recovery? Thank you!
![]() |
Becka B.
This is an excellent question and has been the subject of a personal campaign of sorts for me over the years. As you already know, c-section recovery is never fun. But you absolutely have options beyond medication and rest! |
Thank you for sharing all of your incredible knowledge and tips, Becka! Becka offers massage services in the Chicago, IL area. Check out her profile for more info.
Welcome, Becka! Becka is here to talk about prenatal and postnatal massage, including tips to improve childbirth recovery, the benefits of massage at all stages of pregnancy, and more!
I am coming up on finishing 15 months of breastfeeding and feel like my posture has suffered. Particularly my neck and shoulders are tight from being hunched forward nursing so much. Any tips for how to undo some of this and get myself feeling a bit better?
![]() |
Becka B.
This is by far one of the most common postpartum complaints I come accross, and fortunately, one of the most correctable. If you have the means, getting yourself on a plan with a myofascial specialist (a massage therapist who knows how to address the imbalances in shortened/lengthened muscular tissue) can be immeasurably helpful in speeding up the process. However, we don't all have that available to us! |
![]() |
Becka B.
I wanted to forward along this link to the anterior neck strengthening exercise I recommended: |
![]() |
Molly Thank you SO much!! This is so helpful. |
Does such a thing exist? Maybe something to help with teething pain or colds? I have a 14 month old and I was hoping to do something for her.
Thank you!
![]() |
Becka B.
Absolutely! Massage is appropriate at every age, starting day one... the birthing process isn't stressful just for mom! |