Nurturing the Mother® was developed by Claire Marie Miller throughout the 1980s, and was officially birthed as a full-fledged framework for Pregnancy and Postpartum Massage in 1990.

While I do (of course) have a lovely Pregnancy & Prone Cushion with Headrest, ideal for when you just have to lay on your front for a little while, the Nurturing the Mother® method utilizes a secure and comfortable side-lying position which avoids unnecessary pressure on a growing abdomen and lower back. Mothers are completely supported by pillows, keeping hip, knee and ankle on the same level to avoid pulling on the sacroiliac joint and to maximize blood and lymph circulation. Side-lying is widely considered to be the safest position for both mother and baby, and also helps educate the client about the ideal sleeping position.

The Nurturing the Mother® protocol uses a combination of the following methods:

• Calming Swedish massage strokes for deep muscle relaxation, tension release and increased circulation.
• Gentle range-of-motion and stretching movements to relieve pressure through neck, shoulders, rib cage, lower back and hips, and to promote greater strength, flexibility and balance
• Deep tissue work in the hip and gluteal area to help alleviate chronic lower back and hip pain.
• Abdominal massage for round ligament pain, to support digestion, increase circulation to the placenta and baby and to increase awareness of the baby. The baby will feel and benefit from the massage.
• Lymph drainage strokes to reduce pregnancy induced edema.
• Cranial-sacral and polarity therapy for physical/psychological/emotional/spiritual centering.
• Acupressure and reflexology techniques shown to be effective in treating many common pregnancy related complaints.

Therapists wishing to study Nurturing the Mother® should look here for upcoming courses.