What Is Involved In A Pregnancy Massage
Typically, a Pregnancy Massage lasts for an hour.
One of the most key things a massage therapist will take care of during pregnancy is how they position the pregnant womans body during pregnancy. The carrying mother should be properly supported and positioned during the massage session. This will not only ensure her comfort but also ensure the safety of the baby growing in her belly.
During midweek of pregnancy, lying on the back will put enormous pressure on the abdomen and consequently, inhibit blood circulation. When you go in for a Pregnancy Massage, you will be made to lie down on your side rather than on the stomach and back. Your therapist will use pillows, padding or bolsters to support your body, particularly the back, knees, legs and feet.
You may also be asked to sit up straight or lean on your back they will position you in such a way that you feel completely relaxed and comfortable. Plus, they can work on the areas of the body that can benefit from massage therapy.
If you have gotten massage therapy before, you will find that the pressure your therapist applies will be gentle, soothing and light. They may apply deep pressure in certain spots that are far away from the stomach, such as the neck, shoulders, back, legs and feet. If you have any health concerns such as nausea, morning sickness, your therapist will avoid certain techniques such as rocking or friction.
Prenatal Massage: What You Need To Know
First things first: what is a prenatal massage?
Simply put, prenatal massage aka pregnancy massage is a special kind of manual manipulation therapy specifically geared toward pregnant women.
This form of massage uses many of the techniques of Swedish massage therapy and adapts them to the stress and strains of a pregnant woman’s body.
So, how exactly is a prenatal massage different from a traditional massage, you ask? Well, it really all boils down to your body and how prenatal massage therapists ensure you remain comfortable, relaxed, and most importantly safe.
For example, you might be asked to lie face down during a typical back massage. But this kind of positioning isnt suitable for a prenatal massage because itll pressure the expecting moms tummy, which can quickly disrupt the blood flow to the baby.
Prenatal Massage As Part Of Prenatal Care
The benefits of massage can improve overall prenatal health for many pregnant women. Along with the guidance and advice of a prenatal care provider, massage therapy can be incorporated into routine prenatal care as an emotional and physical health supplement shown to improve pregnancy outcome and maternal health. Consult with your midwife or obstetrician before beginning any new therapeutic practice.
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Two Scenarios In Which A Pregnant Woman Should Think Carefully About Getting A Massage
1. Women in their first trimester of pregnancy
The American Pregnancy Association says that women can begin massage at any point during a pregnancy. However, many prenatal massage therapists will not accept clients until the second trimester of pregnancy. The first trimester carries an increased risk of miscarriage, and some therapists are concerned that the increased blood flow during a massage might be harmful.
Second, there are pressure points in the body that are thought to initiate contractions or potentially induce labor. Because of this, many prenatal massage therapists require a doctors release to work with women in their first trimester of pregnancy.
2. Women with certain medical conditions
Massage therapy engages the circulatory system, which can alter blood flow in the body and potentially affect certain health conditions. If you have any of the following issues, talk to your doctor before getting a prenatal massage at any point in your pregnancy:
- High blood pressure that isnt controlled by medication
- High-risk pregnancy concerns, such congenital heart disease or preeclampsia
- Recent injury or surgery
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Precautions For Prenatal Massage
As with any therapeutic approach to pregnancy wellness, women should discuss massage with their prenatal care provider. The best way to address the risks of prenatal massage is to be informed and to work together with knowledgeable professionals.Many professionals consider the best position for a pregnant woman during massage is side-lying. Tables that provide a hole in which the uterus can fit may not be reliable and can still apply pressure to the abdomen, or allow the abdomen to dangle, causing uncomfortable stretching of the uterine ligaments. Consult your massage therapist before your first appointment to verify what position they place their clients in during the massage.
How To Give A Prenatal Massage At Home
Ask your partner or a friend to use these tips for an at-home maternal massage:
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
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How Much Does A Pregnancy Massage Cost
The cost of a pregnancy massage varies depending on different factors, such as your geographical location and the type of facility offering massages.
The average cost for a 30- to 60-minute massage is $60 to $100 but can be more.
Insurance usually will not cover a pregnancy massage. Some may offer discounts or cover part of the cost. Some plans may cover massage under chiropractic care.
Check with your insurance provider before scheduling your massage.
Tell Your Provider That You Are Pregnant
Massage therapists will always give a modified massage if you are pregnant. To make sure that you get a pregnancy-safe massage, let them know when you book your appointment and remind them again when you check-in. “This will allow to adjust the pressure and techniques used accordingly,” says Dr. Hruby.
Don’t assume that the therapist will notice your bump either. Always make it clear that you are pregnant.
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Research That Supports Massage For Pregnancy
Research dating back two decades began to confirm the benefits of massage therapy during pregnancy, with a 1999 study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology finding reduced anxiety, improved mood, better sleep and less back pain among expectant mothers who received massage twice weekly for five weeks.
Additional early research added even more insight into massages role in facilitating a healthier pregnancy. A small 2006 study in the Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences showed massage was a solid integrative treatment for severe pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, while a 2009 study in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies on 112 pregnant women diagnosed with depression suggested those receiving psychotherapy plus massage over a six-week period experienced greater drops in depression than those getting psychotherapy alone.
Meanwhile, a 2009 study in Infant Behavior & Development also focused on pregnant women with depression, finding those undergoing massage therapy not only experienced less depression at the end of 12 weeks, but also carried that benefit into the postpartum period. And a 2010 literature review in Expert Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology showed massage therapy decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain in pregnant women, also indicating those in labor used less pain medication and had labors averaging three hours shorter than average.
Is Prenatal Massage Safe
Yes, a prenatal massage is a safe practice that medical practitioners generally agree with. Many pregnant women spend time to find a masseuse on their own to know and be certain of who will be performing the massage on them. First of all, remember to let your massage therapist know that you are pregnant. If your massage therapist is trained and certified to perform the massage, you may proceed with it.
It is crucial that you find out about their qualifications because certain massage therapists may not be truthful about it. Getting a pregnancy massage from someone without professional knowledge and skills can lead to various pregnancy or labor complications. If your masseuse is indeed unqualified to give the massage, you ought to go to the professional pregnancy massage therapist. Even better, consult a pregnancy massage agency. This will prevent any unwanted conflicts later on. Besides, if you go for the ones with actual expertise, they would know how to deal with individual pregnancy concerns.
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What Is A Prenatal Massage A Complete Guide
Between surging hormones and a bursting belly along with the aches and swollen tootsies, theres no denying that creating new life can be tough especially when youre exhausted and everything hurts.
Back pain? Check.
Restless legs? Got it.
Pelvic discomfort? Yep.
Oh, the joys of pregnancy! Fortunately, for many mamas-to-be hoping for some relief, a gentle rub down can do the trick.
Enter prenatal massage.
Touted for its ability to improve circulation, soothe discomfort, and promote relaxation, a prenatal massage has several benefits that can make pregnancy more enjoyable and ease a lot of physical and mental stress, too.
Interested in learning more? 8 Sheep Organics has your back. Read on to discover all there is to know about prenatal massage. Are you ready?
Lets dive in!
When To Avoid Pregnancy Massage
Because the research on pregnancy massage is scant, many Western-trained doctors advise a conservative approach. They may even advise all pregnant women to avoid massage. There are no scientifically agreed upon guidelines. Be sure you get clearance from your doctor before you try a massage, especially if:
- You’re experiencing nausea, vomiting, or morning sickness
- You’re at high risk of miscarriage
- You have a high-risk pregnancy such as placental abruption or preterm labor
A massage therapist may require written consent from your doctor and a liability waiver from you before performing pregnancy massage.
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The History Of Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massages are not new. In fact, prenatal massage has a deep history rooted in many cultures around the world. Heres a look at how prenatal massage has traditionally been used:
- Jamaica: Midwives in Jamaica traditionally used prenatal massage right until delivery. Depending on what stage of labor Mama was in, the midwives would preform different massage techniques. Toona leaves were often used to rub the belly, while olive oil and a warm wet compress was used on the belly during transition.
- Japan: Fun fact: Midwives in Japan are called Sanba, which literally means elderly woman who massages. Japanese sanbas are known for performing acupressure during pregnancy, as well as foot and leg messages while mama labors.
- Mexico: Aztec midwives massaged a mama-to-bes legs and believed that the tension in her legs indicated fetal position. This practice must have been handy when there were no ultrasounds!
- Malaysia: Malaysian mothers massage their own navels with coconut oil. Why? It is believed to encourage the baby to lower into the proper position for birth.
- England: Midwives in 17th century England massaged laboring moms with oil of lilies.
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Are There Risks To Consider With A Pregnancy Massage
The risks of a pregnancy massage are conflicting due to lack of research, but the most important thing to do if you are considering getting one is to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. The pros dont outweigh the cons of receiving a massage during the first trimester it is best to wait until your body has adjusted to all of the changes occurring. Not only is the potential for nausea, dizziness, miscarriage, and pre-term labor possibly higher, but if there are already complications in regard to mother or baby, pregnancy massage may not be the best option. These complications include: a risk of pre-term labor, preeclampsia, high blood pressure, blood clots, placenta previa, and gestational diabetes..
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When Is A Prenatal Massage Unsafe
Having a prenatal massage may be risky in a few situations, such as if:
- You have a blood clot or a bone fracture.
- You have a skin injury or condition that could be aggravated by rubbing. These include burns, open wounds, skin infections, or eczema.
- You’ve had an allergic reaction to massage oils.
If you have concerns about whether it would be okay for you to have a prenatal massage, talk to your healthcare provider.
Learn more:
BabyCenter’s editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you’re seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.
ACOG. 2020. Can I get a massage while pregnant? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Field T et al. 2008. Massage therapy reduces pain in pregnant women, alleviates prenatal depression in both parents and improves their relationships. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 12:146-150.
Potential Underlying Mechanisms For Massage Therapy Effects
Some suggest that massage effects can be explained by the âgate theoryâ . This is a kind of metaphor for the pain message traveling more slowly than the pressure message from massage . Pressure messages travel more rapidly than pain messages, reaching the brain faster and closing the gate to the pain message. A more biological explanation of the gate theory is that cells in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord act like a switch between the nerve impulses from the different fibers. Pain is carried more slowly by the less insulated C neurons, whereas massage signals are carried more rapidly by the A neurons that close the gate to the C impulses and allow the A signals through. In this way, the massage stimulation closes the gate to the pain stimulus .
An alternative underlying mechanism we have been exploring is that these effects are mediated by increased vagal activity. Vagal activity increases immediately after massage therapy sessions and across repeated sessions of massage therapy . In these studies, significant increases in vagal activity occurred following massage therapy. This likely happens by the stimulation of pressure receptors that are innervated by vagal afferent fibers, which ultimately project to the limbic system, including hypothalamic structures involved in autonomic nervous system regulation and cortisol secretion.
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The Ultimate Guide To Pregnancy Massage
Written by Jenny Silverstone
Can a soon-to-be mama ever get a little bit of rest and relaxation or is it simply impossible?
Between your surging hormones and your bursting belly, it can certainly feel that way. However, relief may be closer than you think.
Women all around the world love to enjoy a spa day and one of the highlights is often a body massage. Massages can relieve stress, pain, and muscle tension on top of being a luxurious way to spend your time . Yet, in spite of all these popular benefits, many pregnant women do not think about using the powers of a body massage to relieve their aches and pains.
Is it safe? Is it comfortable? How does it even work, when you normally lay on your belly during a massage?
These are just a few of the questions women have that hold them back from learning more about pregnancy massage. Our goal is to answer these questions, and more. By the time we are done, we hope we can help you make a more confident decision about pregnancy massage and if it is a good idea for you.
Is It Safe For Baby
Getting a massage can benefit your baby. Massage is associated with a lower chance of premature birth or low birth weight. The research indicates that massage reduces anxiety and depression in the expecting parent, both of which make it more likely for a baby to be born small or early.
Taking good care of yourself by getting massages may also help your baby be born with lower stress levels. Newborns born to parents with depression tend to have higher amounts of cortisol in their systems. So, if massages help you manage your depression, they might also help the baby feel their best from birth.
To keep your baby safe during a massage, your massage therapist should refrain from massaging any parts of your body that might push on the baby or the placenta.
Getting a massage while pregnant has many benefits for both you and your baby.
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What Was My Experience With Pregnancy Massage
When I was 8 weeks pregnant, I was in Thailand and I didnt know I was pregnant! I felt nauseous all the time and I wasnt feeling quite myself, but I did want a massage! I booked in for a 3-hour full body Thai massage and lets just say it wasnt quite what I had in mind! First of all, they left me in a sauna room for a little too long and it made me feel quite claustrophobic and anxious. Once the massage began, they massaged my whole body including a stomach massage , a scalp massage, and a hand & foot massage . I doubt the therapist had any formal training and was definitely not certified for pregnancy massage.
I couldnt communicate my pregnancy to the therapist anyway, as I didnt even know! All in all, the pregnancy massage was long but relaxing and I had a safe, healthy pregnancy. I was feeling extra nauseous, my breasts were very sore and I didnt like my stomach being touched but I also didnt feel like getting any more massages while pregnant, and once I was back in Australia.