9 months pregnant with DeAndre, one week out from having him in June of 1996.

Being pregnant was one of the greatest experiences I have ever been able to have in my life.  Of course, at times, it was tiresome and a little overwhelming but all in all, I loved it.  The fact that I was co-creating another life within the walls of my abdomen was such an honor and a joy.  I always wanted to be a mother and for me, being a mother started as soon as I knew I was pregnant.  I did not put anything into my body that would harm my child.  Those nine months of pregnancy were a controlled and sheltered environment for my baby, protecting the health of my child was without a doubt, my number one concern and my number one goal.  Exercising was important, as well as good, nutrient-rich foods and plenty of sleep because in my family, we tend to carry really big so I was making sure that I would have a fast post-pregnancy recovery.

The morning of the day I had Maximus in May of 2002. My dad is in the background cooking me my favorite breakfast.

While I was pregnant with Maximus, my second child, I would receive prenatal massages.  Unfortunately, I was too young and uninformed when I was pregnant with DeAndre’ so I did not partake in the wonderful benefits of prenatal massage, my body would’ve really appreciated it.  There a came a point to where I got too big and was no longer comfortable of receiving prenatal massages, that was at month 7 for me.  The weight of my sweet, little Maximus was too much on my lungs, so my breathing became shortened and the combination of the massage increasing the circulation and the laying positions on the table took a toll on me and I had to transition from prenatal massage to at home heated pad treatments.  Don’t be alarmed, I have massaged many women who have been able to receive prenatal massages all the way up to their delivery date.

DeAndre’ on the left, Maximus on the right. Full of personality and love.

While I was pregnant with DeAndre’ and Maximus I would massage them myself.  Babies love massages! They absolutely love them!  DeAndre’ would move around so much, he wanted me to get every part of his tiny body that I could.  Maximus was more on the shy side and would move for me to get certain areas of his body.  It’s interesting because how they wanted to be massaged as a fetus inside my belly, is how they like to be massaged today.  It is extremely healthy for the baby to receive a massage, it increases the blood flow and gives a sense of security and nurturing to the unborn child.  As a person who gives prenatal massages and as a mother, it is fun for me to massage a pregnant woman’s abdomen because I can get a sense of the personality of the child and the mother enjoys feeling the movement of her baby responding.

I wrote an article for Dermascope Magazine that discusses treatments a woman can receive while being pregnant.  10 Things About…Prenatal Care Treatments talks about facials, body treatments and massage style that can be performed while pregnant.  Just because a woman is pregnant does not mean she has to stop taking care of her body and face while pregnant, it just means that treatments have to be a little altered.  Take some time out for yourself and for your baby and receive a massage, your body is undergoing so many  changes, it is the greatest thing you can do to help you during your pregnancy.