Assisting In A Miracle

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Prenatal Massage: Llumiere Home Spa

I have just had 60 minutes of bliss at home- a relaxing aromatherapy prenatal massage using my own massage oil concoction: Peace & Calming Young Living pure essential oil in VCO base (Virgin Coconut Oil.)

To be brutally honest, I really don't want to publish details of my "secret" home spa because if too many people find out how fabulous they are, they might be too busy for me the next time I call them. BUT I am going against my ego and selfish desires by sharing with you one of my treasures - Llumiere Home Spa.

Pre-pregnancy, I've been a frequent customer trying out their different massage and nail services.They are affordable, therapists come on time, use natural ingredients and are well trained (ugh, the worst is having to endure a masseuse who doesn't know what she is doing!). Since I've been feeling achey these days because of weight gain, I've been indulging in weekly prenatal massages which I am so happy they offer as well.

Are you pregnant and haven't tried a mommy massage? Well, you should! Here's why...

Benefits of Prenatal Massages 

1. Promotes relaxation, reduces stress (higher dopamine & serotonin levels)
2. Reduces anxieties, depression (lowers cortisol & norepinephrine)
3. Better sleep, strengthened immune system

"And the benefits don’t stop there. Studies show that women who have received regular prenatal massage have greater chances of reduced pain perception during labor and delivery. They tend to have shorter labors. Their babies tend to be healthier, as measured by higher Apgar and Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment scores. There is less likelihood of premature birth.

And, we are still not through. After delivery, it has been shown that these mothers have an enhanced ability to touch their own babies lovingly. There is evidence that when a woman is depressed during pregnancy, massage can help reduce depression by the time her baby is born, and that she is more likely to have reduced depression and cortisol levels postpartum."

Source: Pulling Down The Moon

Llumiere Home Spa
60 minutes massage Php350
Call or text +639328777038
Selected areas in Metro Manila

Young Living oils reseller in Manila
Pamela Sitaldas +639178126699

Are you a reader from Manila and want to share your personally approved prenatal spa contacts? Please leave contacts at the comments so I can try them out as well. Thank you!

Book: Cut, Stapled & Mended

I thank my Doula, Irina for lending me this book which I finished reading in just 2 days! As I have experienced a cesarean with the birth of my son 6 years ago, I feel exactly as author Roanna Rosewood put it - I am reclaiming my body and choosing to birth at my own terms this time around.

With every page that I devoured, I resonated with Roanna's journey into motherhood, pregnancy and birth. I laughed and cried (lots!) because of the truthfulness of her emotions and vulnerabilities.

I highly recommend this book to anyone embarking on a vbac (vaginal birth after cesarean) because it narrates the struggles Roanna went through with both of her sons being born via c-sections- despite all her preparations for a natural birth. Finally, on her third child, (she found out she was pregnant again only a year after her second birth) she was successful with the birth that she has always wanted for her and her family.

This book is available at Amazon.

Tea for Pregnancy

Did you know that there is a particular herbal tea that is specially meant for pregnancy? I recently found out that Raspberry Leaf tea has many health benefits for pregnant mamas like me! I found one organic brand- Traditional Medicinals from Healthy Options in Eastwood, Quezon City.

The website states that this tea is known for its nurturing properties---

"Supports healthy menstruation, tones the uterus and may be used for menstrual cramps...European and Native American women have used raspberry leaf for thousands of years for menstrual support, menstrual cramps and during pregnancy as a healthy tonic to help prepare the womb for childbirth"

There has also been a study made with the conclusion that consuming raspberry tea leaf products shortens labor and has good birth outcomes. Pregnant? I suggest we all stock up on these now :)