Pregnancy Massage

What is a Pregnancy Massage?

Many types of massage are not suitable for pregnant women due to the pressure used, but that's where the pregnancy massage comes in! A pregnancy massage, also known as a prenatal massage, is specially adapted, and is more gentle and soothing and tailored specifically for the women who are expecting.

What Happens During a Pregnancy Massage?

A pregnancy massage will obviously be performed differently to other types of massage. Your therapist will use a range of strokes to help relax and relieve muscles in your back, shoulders and hips. If you're having your massage done before you come into your third trimester, you can lay on your back if that's more comfortable. The masseur will then be able to massage your legs, feet and head also. They will use lighter pressure to help your circulation, and stay away from deep tissue massage techniques. You can also ask your therapist to massage your pregnant belly, where they will use gentle strokes to help you feel relaxed and at ease. Depending on how far along you are or what trimester you're in, your pregnancy massage can be performed on you in different positions. For example, early on laying on your tummy might be most comfortable, and later on, laying on your side might become more comfortable. Make sure to talk to your masseur at the time, and let them know your preferred position!

What Should I Wear to a Pregnancy Massage?

It's really up to you in regards to what you wear to the massage. We would recommend wearing something that you're comfortable in! A pregnancy massage can be administered with as little or as much clothing as you want. It's a personal decision as to what you're comfortable with, and the rest of your body will be covered with a towel while it's not being massaged.

Benefits of a Pregnancy Massage

Generally, massages have been found to greatly reduce pregnancy discomfort, and are recommended to help pregnant women to relax. Pregnancy massages are known to improve your quality of sleep, which is essential during your pregnancy. The massage also lowers stress and anxiety, reduces pain, and also works to decrease the baby's stress hormones. It's an important treatment for expecting mothers as it benefits them as well as their unborn baby.

Can All Pregnant Women Have a Pregnancy Massage?

So, pregnancy massages are perfectly safe from the moment you know you're pregnant, but most therapists prefer to wait until you've at least had your first scan. This reasoning is due to many pregnant women being sick and very tired during the first trimester, and the last thing they would want to do is to get up and go and have a massage! Of course, if you do want one in that first trimester though, as we said it is perfectly safe!

What Happens After a Pregnancy Massage?

It's not unusual to experience some after-effects of your treatment. You may find that you're going to the toilet more often due to your circulatory and lymphatic systems being more relaxed! Your body will also be using more energy to help heal itself so it's normal to feel more tired than usual too. Make sure to get plenty of rest and stay hydrated too!