Expert commentary
Previous reports have found that depressed women have a greater incidence of prematurity and
low birthweight rates [5,6]. In our studies, massage therapy has been effective during pregnancy
[2-4]. Depressed women given massage therapy had fewer prenatal complications, including
a 75% lower prematurity rate and an 80% lower incidence of low birthweight [2]. They also
reported decreased depression, anxiety and back pain. Surprisingly, postpartum depression and
cortisol levels decreased in the massaged women. Their newborns also had lower cortisol levels
than the newborns of the control mothers, which may relate to their mothers’ lower cortisol
levels and their decreasing depression across pregnancy. In addition, the newborns performed
better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor
scales. With mothers less depressed during the neonatal period along with more mature and
interactive newborns, the bonding process between them is enhanced [7].
In many studies massage therapy has been known for reducing anxiety. In the study we
conducted on labor pain, the pregnant women’s partners massaged their back and legs from a
side-lying position during the first 15 min of every hour of labor [9]. The women experienced
less pain, and their labors were on average 3 h shorter with less need for medication.