Postpartum massage can help the body completely release the placenta, a natural and more comfortable way of taking care of a task that can be unpleasant.

Massage can also help ward off postpartum depression–or at least ease its symptoms. And on a comforting note, postpartum massage, a very intimate procedure, can be performed by the mother on herself if she prefers.

Here are just a few more benefits of massage for new moms:

Easing Pain: Depending on the pregnancy and birth, new moms often suffer a lot of pain. Whether under intense or mild pain, postpartum massage can help provide relief–especially for maladies like headaches, stress, muscle tension, backaches and fatigue.

Uterine Involution: Many people already know that breastfeeding can help the uterus shrink back to its normal size following pregnancy. But did you know that postpartum massage can have the same effect? It can also help the abdominal muscles return back to their normal condition.

Weight Loss: Who isn’t eager to lose those post-pregnancy pounds? Massage can help the body return to its pre-pregnancy weight, as well as tone stretched areas of the skin.

Emotional Support: Experts say that it can take about a year to have your hormones return to normal following a pregnancy, and many mothers can get very emotional following birth and beyond. While it’s normal to get emotional over your new edition (even twenty years later!), massage can help provide relaxation and emotional support, making mom feel cherished and better about herself.

That said, experts warn that prenatal massage should be given and received with caution. Without the proper precautions, prenatal massage can result in complications–such as discomfort in pressure point areas, stretching of uterine ligaments, and other unpleasantness. In order to avoid a negative prenatal massage experience, be sure to follow the following guidelines.

Talk to your OB/GYN. This is the most important thing you can do before implementing any therapeutic treatments into your pregnancy. He or she especially needs to know about your plans for massage if you have had a pre-term labor before, have recently given birth already, have preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension, have severe swelling or headaches, or have an otherwise high-risk pregnancy. He or she may even be able to recommend an experienced masseuse.

Get an experienced masseuse. The above being said, you need to have someone with plenty of experience with prenatal massage. He or she will know where your pressure points are, how to be careful, and how to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. A certified prenatal massage therapist is typically the best choice.

Be sure to lay on your side during the experience. You already know that this is the safest position to lay while carrying your baby. Be wary of tables that have holes in them to accommodate your bouncing bulge of joy; they can stretch your uterus, make you uncomfortable, and generally are not reliable. If your massage therapist recommends laying on your stomach, you may want to reconsider him or her as your choice.