Pregnancy Massage: Getting Rubbed The Right Way

Getting a regular pregnancy massage is one of the best things you can do for yourself during your pregnancy. When you feel good your baby feels good.

(If you're in the Holland, MI area contact me to learn more about how you can get a pre-natal massage).

I had massage throughout my pregnancy. I aimed at getting a massage every other week--it didn't always happen, but I got as close as I could to my ideal. If you can't go this often, then get at least one pregnancy massage in each trimester.

Benefits Of Massage During Pregnancy

Helps you sleep better

The massages I had during my pregnancy were so beneficial in relieving my lower back and hip aches. Massages also eased the ache in my feet and hands that were swollen and sore with extra fluid.

I slept better and felt more at peace with myself and with the world.

Myths About Pregnancy Massage

Massage is actually one of the best things you can do for yourself while you are pregnant. A few things to keep in mind:

1. It is important that you are positioned on your side or semi-reclined and not on your belly or back.

2. No deep massage should be done on your abdomen

3. The therapist should avoid vigorously pressing certain acupressure points.

The first of these points is located in the webbing between your thumb and first finger. The second is about 4 finger widths above the inside of your ankle bone.

It is thought that these points help to stimulate labor. No studies have been done to confirm this, but it is wise to avoid these points just to be safe.

4. No heat should be used on your abdomen or the center of your body.

You do not want to raise your core temperature. This is dangerous to your developing baby.

Other than these few caveats, massage during pregnancy is safe.

Myth: It's not safe to get a massage in the first trimester

Many people, even some massage therapists, will tell you not to get massage during your first trimester. There is this idea out there that massage can cause a miscarriage.

There is no evidence that massage causes miscarriage and it can do you a world of good.

10-15% or more of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and it is human nature to look for someone or something to blame. Some women may be tempted to think that it was the massage they had, or the rowdy sex, or the vigorous exercise that caused their miscarriage.

My first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and I continued to get massage throughout my next pregnancy. I felt that it was one of the healthiest things I could do for my well-being and my baby's.

Questions To Ask Your Massage Therapist

I used a massage therapist who was certified in pregnancy massage and some therapists who were just certified for massage in general. They all did a fine job.

Having an extra certification is not so much the issue. It is important that they have knowledge of the changes that take place in pregnancy and position you side-lying after the first trimester.

I am a massage therapist who does pregnancy massage and I am not specifically certified to do pregnancy massage. I feel very confident offering pregnancy massage because of my knowledge of pregnancy and birth and because of my experience as a doula.

Q. How do you position pregnant clients?

After the third month, it is important that the therapist positions you on your side bolstered by lots of pillows or semi-reclined. You should NOT be laying on your belly or your back.

Why not on your back? The weight of your uterus presses on the vena cava when you lay on your back. This is the major vein that returns blood to your heart.

Blood flow is compromised when you lay on your back for long periods of time. It reduces blood flow to your kidneys which can increase edema and increase blood pressure. It reduces the oxygen and nutrient flow to your baby.

This syndrome is called Supine Hypotensive Syndrome. You may experience dizziness if it is severe, but even if you don't experience dizziness the blood flow is still compromised.

There are special pregnancy massage tables and cushions that have a cut- out for the belly. I do not recommend these. Even though there is room for the belly, massage performed on the back in this position still puts pressure on the vena cava although not as much as when laying on the back.

Don't be concerned though if you wake up in the night on your back. A short period of time on your back is not necessarily harmful. Usually you will feel quite uncomfortable on your back and will turn onto your side naturally.

When To Avoid Massage

If you experience abnormal edema

This would be excessive swelling of most of the body. Some slight swelling of your hands and feet is normal as pregnancy progresses.

If you have any condition that would contraindicate massage when not pregnant such as--malignant cancer, tumors, or other serious acute diseases

Pampering Yourself During Pregnancy Is Not A Luxury

When You Feel Good Your Baby Feels Good

Your massage is one hour when you can relax, tune in to yourself, tune in to your baby, and have the aches and pains of pregnancy relieved.

You will feel like a pampered princess as you snuggle down into the pillows and luxuriate in the confident and firm touch that an excellent massage therapist can provide.

Take Time for Yourself!

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