I'm a pretty intuitive person. For those of you who are Meyers-Briggs people, I'm an INFP. I like to trust my intuition, but sometimes I realize my biases and assumptions get in the way. So when I'm not sure whether that's happening in a certain situation, I reach out to others to get their opinion.
I just read an article aboutthis new company called Go Home Gorgeous. Apparently the company, based in Minnesota, offers therapeutic massage to new moms while still in the hospital. They state they are the nation's leader in postpartum wellness.
I have to admit the name "Go Home Gorgeous" peeved me right from the beginning, as if new mothers should be expected to look good when they go home from the hospital. Do we really need another thing to feel responsible for and then feel bad about if we fail? Should I expect that I should be "gorgeous" postpartum, just like the magazines who fake us out about new celebrity moms and how they supposedly look just weeks after having a baby?
I know. I should probably just lighten up.
Then, their website states:
Benefits of our therapeutic treatments include: reduced water retention and cramps, decreased anxiety and risk of postpartum depression, increased lactation and ease of nursing stress.Don't let her leave the hospital tired and sore, help her go home gorgeous, rested and ready.
Really? I realize that massage has been shown to have a positive impact on postpartum depression, but is one massage gonna do it? If I'm someone who's suffered from depression all my life and am at a high risk for postpartum depression, is the gift of the Deluxe Postnatal Body Massage for $139 really going to nip any PPD in the bud, or decrease its risk? Is it me, or are they overstating just a bit?
I hesitate writing about this. I'm not trying to be snarky. And I don't want to insult anyone. I actually think the idea of being able to get a massage after having just had a baby is a FANTASTIC one. Very entrepreneurial. Women should receive more pampering and tender care than they currently get in the maternity ward. And, I believe they donate a portion of their profits to Jenny's Light, which is wonderful. It's just that my antenna went up when I saw the benefit promise related to postpartum depression risk.
Am I being silly about this? What do you think?Maybe there is research that shows that one massage can do it. If that's true, that's awesome. Send me the links! Is it important that these kinds of services are offered to new mothers, either by outside firms like Go Home Gorgeous or the hospitals themselves? If you had had access to this kind of service, do you think it would have changed your postpartum experience? Do you think their marketing is off base or is it fair to say that such a service will reduce the risk of postpartum depression?
Well…. I *had* a massage a few weeks postpartum after my second daughter, and while I loved it and it felt wonderful it didn't stop my getting PPD. So yes I think they are overstating. And that IS irritating.
Incidentally, I'm also an INFP. Which makes me wonder… Do you think our certain personality profiles suffer more depression? Like–is the pathological idealist part of me part of what makes me vulnerable? Just thinking… Since you mentioned Myers-Briggs. 😉
That's a really interesting question Val.
First, I think having a massage would have made me feel better physically and mentally for a while, but I'm quite sure I still would have had postpartum OCD. It was already on its way. That doesn't mean it might not prevent it in other people, but it wouldn't have done it for me.
Second, I have no idea in answer to your personality question. I think that is an awesome question, and would love to hear from researchers on it.
A massage to de-stress in THAT moment, yes. A massage to decrease the likelihood of developing PPD, are they crazy? This website seems to be talking themselves up too much and are sending out false hope.
Although I agree that it is in fact overstated there are definately benefits to massage. I took a 1000 hour massage therapy course and did pregnancy and postpartum massage for quite a while before I had kids. I don't think one massage would prevent postpartum depression, in fact I don't think it can prevent it at all. I do however think that regular massage (let's say once a week) during that postpartum period could have some wonderful benefits and reduce the severity. The main reason I say this is that when you get a massage it puts you into a deeper and more restful state of relaxation as opposed to just taking a nap. So let's say that I get a massage and fall asleep for an hour, the rest will actually equal closer to an hour and a half of a normal nap. And we both know how important sleep is to a new mom. I know for me, I get my massages at home, then crawl into bed and take a nap immediately afterward. The rest is much more sound. Not to mention the stress relief, etc. Also, from my own experience when I am getting a massage it calms my racing thoughts and allows me to relax when I otherwise wouldn't have been able to fall asleep.
I am also an INFP…so maybe there is a corellation…who knows?
Wow. I just perused the website, and while it is an interesting concept, I have to agree with all of you that there are some overstated promises. I am certainly ALL for pampering mom (mothering the mother), which we do too little of in our culture. However, in regards to decreasing the RISK of postpartum depression, I do not see how a single treatment can accomplish that. If you exercise or omit your daily Krispy Kreme doughnut for just ONE day after you have been told that you have an increased risk of heart attack, does that mean that you have instantly reduced your risk by that single act? Wish it were that easy!
There are also some unmodifiable risk factors such as previous trauma or loss, history of depression, difficult pregnancy, and lack of support that cannot be changed by a massage. I applaud the fact that they are bringing attention to the need for self-care of the mother and ways that partners and family members can support the mother.
This business would primarily benefit a middle to upper socioeconomic class of women. I work with some postpartum doulas who provide many similar services, but with the added benefit of educating the mother and increasing her confidence in caring for her baby and adjusting to her new role. VNA nurses can also provide similar support, without the extravagent cost.
Even mothers who lose their baby weight quickly, are well-dressed and made up have postpartum depression. Remember, "You can't tell by looking" (Wilen and Mounts)? The goal is not to "be a gorgeous mom", but to LEARN to respond to your baby's cues and gain confidence so that you can enjoy Mommy Life.
I had five babies in six years and I find myself reading this discussion and simply wishing I would have had the option of massage or any of the other treatments on that website after my little ones were born. Wow! What and idea.
I think massage therapy in the hospital could make a new mother feel less anxious and more centered, and perhaps less lonely. I wish all new mothers could be doted upon and nurtured more in the hospital. As a 15-year OB nurse I would love to see more of this high-touch/low-tech care in hospitals.
If this was true wouldn't all of the hospitals offer it? It would be nice if something so simple was a cure! I think it would help for the moment, but not the long term. Thank goodness for this website, it has helped me immensely! I am on the road to wellness, with fewer and fewer bumps each day.
Really? One massage? I have been on antidepressants for 18 months…spent countless hours in my psychiatrist's office…and all I needed to do was get a massage?! I don't think so. Would that massage have made me love my son instantly and eased the sickening guilt that came along with that? There were so many factors that probably contributed to my PPD and I don't think that a simple massage would have decreasedy risk. Sure I probably would have felt good at the time…that's if I could have laid still for a half an hour without wanting to fly out of my skin.
It is a great idea to pamper moms after a job very well done and I would have loved a massage but to make a claim that it can reduce the risk of PPD is an overstatement.
Sorry about the typos!!
In full disclosure, I am a massage therapist working with Go Home Gorgeous and love my job. Go Home Gorgeous does not claim to cure postpartum depression. We aim to shed light on the way in which mothers are cared for after delivery. One massage will not stop or cure postpartum depression. Running one mile will not cure obesity, but it is a great step in that direction. It will hopefully lead to more running, more awareness, more external support and more self-care.
Modalities involved in a Go Home Gorgeous treatment have been thoroughly researched as to their effects, as well as their use throughout other cultures. Like the website says, these modalities (herbs, heat, massage techniques, meditation) are combined for a treatment that helps reduce water retention, increase sleep, and decrease anxiety. Great first steps. And then we offer in-home services to follow up our in-hospital treatments, which are discussed with the mother.
As a massage therapist, the women and men that I treat are less anxious, more in tune with their body rhythms, and seem to be less overwhelmed and more prepared. I say this from observation as well as their verbal responses. Unsolicited comments from the nurses include that patients who receive GHG services sleep better, request fewer pain medications, buzz the nurse station less often, and appear more alert when receiving discharge instructions.
A mother who is well rested, healthy, and prepared is gorgeous.
Thank you sincerely for your time and your feedback. I assure you, we listen!
Respectfully,
Stephanie
I appreciate Stephanie's response on this topic, but find the "gorgeous" adjective a little intimidating, and shallow. How about "Go Home Healthy" or "Go Home Feeling Good" or "Go Home Feeling Strong"? My guess few — if any brand new moms feel gorgeous.
Onto the massage issue: when I had postpartum depression, I had extreme back aches (probably because my very needy baby needed to be held or nursed all the time). I went for weekly massages which were just HEAVEN on so many levels — having someone touch me in a non-sexual or non-needy way, having someone care for me, having a break from my children, etc. HOWEVER, the stress of arranging childcare and being away from a baby who wouldn't take a bottle sometimes outweighed the positive gains of the massage.
I'm all for massage for anyone, anytime — especially new mothers who need to be touched an stroked in ways that husbands and children simply cannot do.
Stephanie,
Thanks for visiting Postpartum Progress and sharing your viewpoint. I truly appreciate your input.
Please know that I believe caring for new moms in ways that are more supportive and nurturing of both their physical and mental health is important. I am sure the feedback you receive from discharge nurses is right on the money. The aim to "aim to shed light on the way in which mothers are cared for after delivery" is an excellent one, and we need more people to focus on that. I was just wondering aloud about linking this service in the marketing materials directly to a reduction in PPD risk.
Is Gorgeous always something that you can see in the mirror? In my opinion, it is not. It can be a state of mind, a feeling, the way a certain pair of jeans slides on after hard work at the gym. I was lucky to be treated to the wondrous experience of Go Home Gorgeous through gifts from a few girlfriends and my husband. Despite the fact that I was bloated with liquids and bearing a fresh scar from what my Doctor described as being the most complicated c-section she had ever performed, I felt every bit of the word gorgeous. Any woman, who has ever given birth, knows how overwhelming the experience can be. After the exhilaration and true exhaustion of delivery is behind you, the well wishers, lactation consultants, nurses, etc. march through the door. With Go Home Gorgeous, it could be about me for that one hour. They made my hospital room feel like a spa experience, and I could truly relax knowing that my baby was being cared for in the nursery. What other kind of major surgery do your demands increase when you get home from the hospital?
I truly feel that the owner of Go Home Gorgeous has a true passion for wellness in women postpartum. She is aware of the "fourth trimester" and how that affects not only the baby, but also the mother. Go Home Gorgeous donates 3% of their profits to various organizations that help women less fortunate tackle the demands of their pre and postnatal needs. They are working towards increasing that to 10%. As stated in the blog, one of these organizations is Jenny's Light.
I think it is being way to far read in to… They state that the service may help lower the risk. I am sure that they don't think they can cure a very real and scary depression. If it is a step in the right direction, don't we want to go there?
As I stated very clearly in the original post, I think it's wonderful what they are doing for new moms. I like the idea, I like helping moms after birth and I like their charitable efforts. But as the employee of Go Home Gorgeous stated in her comment above, one massage does not necessarily reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Yet that's what the website says. It doesn't say, as you suggest, it "may help lower the risk". It says benefits include decreased anxiety and risk of postpartum depression. How can I be reading too far into that?
I hear what you're saying! Me too!
I'm so glad you are feeling better Cindi! Keep hanging in there!
I'll forgive you for typos if you forgive me for them!!
Seems like to me that perhaps they can make some minor tweaks to the language on the website so there is less chance of someone misinterpreting the intentions of the organization and its massage therapists and coming away with certain expectations. As we all know, having certain expectations and not meeting those expectations at a time of increased vulnerability to anxiety/depression can only make matters worse.
I do know I read somewhere that a 30-minute massage once/day has been found to reduce depression (specifically ppd). I don't remember any of the details, though. And certainly one massage is not going to reduce your risk….
Oh I have so much to say about this as I am in Minnesota and struggled with PPD. I couldn't agree with you more. The basis for the business idea is a good one – a spa in your hospital room. But the language needs to be redone. There shouldn't be anything about postpartum depression included.
The other thing that I have a huge issue with is that Jenny's Light which is a foundation out of MN has teamed up with Go Home Gorgeous and i feel like Jenny's Light is also agreeing to the idea that if I just get a little massage in the hospital and look good going home, then I won't get PPD. Jenny's Light was started after a mom, Jenny, committed suicide killing herself and her child. She suffered from post partum psychosis. So would a massage have helped Jenny? I feel like it is a very shallow partnership and now am not supporting Jenny's Light.
Personally, this doesn't affect how I feel about Jenny's Light. It's a great organization that is working hard to bring awareness to a very important issue. I think they are doing good work and I fully support them. Not that I'm telling you what you should do, of course. We all have to do what we feel right about.