Considering Prenatal Massage? 5 Things You Should Know

Pregnancy is a time of rapid growth and adjustment for your body. Your posture changes daily to create balance as the uterus grows and grows. Your ligaments start to stretch, joints become strained, muscles become sore and achy and your body can become quite uncomfortable!

Image description: A person with long brown hair holds a newborn baby up and is kissing them on their chin.

Is massage during pregnancy safe?

You may have heard “out there” that massage can cause miscarriage. Thankfully this is not true!

Massage is safe throughout your entire pregnancy. If you develop complications during your pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, diabetes, or are placed on prolonged bedrest, please discuss this with your massage therapist so alterations can be made to your massage treatment to make it safe and effective.

Massage therapists, with your permission, can communicate with your primary healthcare provider to gain more information about your pregnancy and any complications that may be present. Together, a treatment plan can be made to ensure you receive the best care possible.

What are the benefits of massage during pregnancy?

Postural concerns, muscular, and joint pain can be relieved by a massage.

You may find an increased sense of well-being and connection to baby as you relax and your body awareness grows. Plus you’ll get a lovely dose of oxytocin from your massage therapist’s touch.

Also, in our overly busy modern world it can be such a gift to yourself to set aside time in your pregnancy to be still, quiet, and to receive something that’s just for you.

What can I expect at my first massage?

Because there are some additional factors to take into consideration when getting a massage while pregnant, you will fill out a pregnancy specific health intake form alongside our standard form. Feel free to be honest and open so that your therapist can best treat you.

The pregnancy specific form helps your therapist know if there is anything they need to take into account while planning your treatment (such as positioning if you have gestational diabetes or not massaging your legs if you’ve been on prolonged bedrest).

It’s important that you feel comfortable and safe – if you don’t understand what’s happening, or you don’t want to do something, just let your therapist know. They’ll be happy to tailor your treatment to your specific needs.

Can I lay on my belly?

The short answer is no. During the first trimester, if you’re comfortable, laying on your belly is a reasonable choice. After 14 weeks though side-lying is the best option.

Pregnancy pillows/cushions that support you in laying on your belly are extremely popular, however, these are not a great option after 14 weeks gestation either.

The uterus is growing rapidly and ligaments are stretching to help hold and stabilize the uterus in an upright position. Once a pregnant person is laying on their belly (prone), these ligaments are now working against gravity to hold the uterus in place. This added strain on your ligaments and the sacroiliac joints tends to result in MORE backpain! Nobody wants that.

So while it can be tempting to use the pregnancy pillows/cushions to get some relief from the heaviness of your belly, your best bet is to hop in the water and do some floating (either in a pool or at One Love Float).

Do I need a note from my doctor or midwife to get a massage?

There are rare circumstances where your therapist may ask you to have a doctor’s/midwife’s release before beginning treatment (for example, if you have an increased chance of experiencing preterm labour). This is mainly to ensure safety and to keep lines of communication open between your primary healthcare provider and your massage therapist.

If this is needed, your massage therapist will let you know.

Ready to book your massage? Check out Inhale Exhale Massage Therapy’s website

Inhale Exhale Massage Therapy is one of our Community Partners! If you are a doula client, check out your Welcome! package or ask your doula for more information on how to access your discount.

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