Is Pregnancy Massage Safe?
Pregnancy massage is not a new thing. Women have been receiving pregnancy massage for centuries, but nowadays, pregnancy massages are becoming more popular and common.
A pregnancy massage can help to relieve any pains and aches that come with pregnancy. It also helps the parents-to-be relax their muscles to prepare them for labour and childbirth. But is pregnancy massage safe? Let’s explore this topic in-depth!
This article will cover everything you need to know about pregnancy massage: what it is, how it works, who should get one & why, the risks of getting a pregnancy massage during your pregnancy as well as after delivery, etc.
What is a Pregnancy Massage?
Massage is a great way to keep calm and relax during pregnancy.
Most people have never thought about getting a massage during pregnancy, and this blog post will tell you everything there is to know about it. There are many reasons why pregnant women should get massages.
They help alleviate common symptoms such as leg cramps or back pain, plus give your body the ability to heal itself faster while feeling like your own little spa treatment at home!
This article can provide information for those interested in receiving a prenatal massage but want more detail on what their experience may entail before committing themselves. It also advises how best to prepare for one so that everyone involved feels comfortable with each other’s needs beforehand.
Prenatal massage is specially tailored for pregnant women. It relieves the stress of carrying an unborn child and gives physical relief through deep tissue work that revitalises muscles that have been overworked by bearing weight or gestational hormones. Always ask questions about any therapist’s training before scheduling your appointment!
You might not be able to get a massage at the beginning of your pregnancy, but prenatal massages can help you stay active and manage pain during labour. Always check with your therapist before having one, though!
How early in pregnancy can you have a massage?
Prenatal massage is a great way to get those morning sickness-inducing aches out of your back. It can be performed as long as you have permission from your pregnancy care provider. Still, most practitioners will wait until the third month to offer a massage for safety reasons and so that they may better monitor any changes with each individual’s symptoms.
Massage can ease the pains that come with pregnancy, but does it help to start labour? Evidence on this is inconclusive. Some massage therapists avoid specific pressure points because they believe they may trigger contractions.
In contrast, others don’t see any difference in using them during the early stages of labour and find other techniques more helpful at initiating these first weeks, especially if a woman has gone over three months without her baby being born yet.
What are the benefits of prenatal massage?
Prenatal massages are soothing for both mother and baby. They have been found to reduce stress hormones, making them a great way of reducing the physical effects of pregnancy on your body while you’re pregnant or after birth.
The relaxing nature also helps relieve tension in muscles which often only increases during this time!
Massages are well-known for their ability to reduce stress and improve sleep.
But did you know they can also help with a wide range of health conditions? From improving your lymphatic system, which in turn allows the body to fight off disease more effectively and easing painful pregnancy symptoms like back pain, pelvic girdle or sciatic nerve pain when done during pregnancy (not that you might need it), there’s no end to how much massage therapy could benefit both mind and body!
When to Avoid Pregnancy Massages
While most people don’t understand why pregnancy massage is something they should avoid, this isn’t the case for clotting disorders.
Some places may not offer massages to pregnant women in their first trimester as there is a higher risk of miscarriage during the first 12 weeks.
There are a lot of benefits to getting a professional massage. You can get relief from pain and muscle tension, and you have more energy, you feel better in your mood. But if you have any of the following conditions – it may be advisable to avoid pregnancy massage altogether.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis or a blood clot
- High-risk pregnancy
- Chance of pre-term labour
- Placenta previa
- Placental abruption
- High blood pressure
How Are Pregnancy Massage Therapists Trained?
If you are looking for a massage therapist, it is best to find one through the national associations that train and certify them. These programs vary by how many hours of training they offer, and some require even more than 500 hours!
A doctor, midwife or chiropractor can recommend a qualified therapist in your area to help you with the strain of pregnancy by easing tension and discomfort through touch therapy.
To ensure that they have the proper training for this type of work, ask them about their experience, specifically working with expecting women before booking any appointments.
Massage in pregnancy
A prenatal massage can often be a great way to relieve stress and pain in the neck, back, or even feet because they aid relaxation by decreasing your heart rate and releasing endorphins that make you feel good!
While pregnant women should always keep their vena cava safe from harm during these massages (because of its primary function for blood flow), it’s okay if you’re lying on either side – whichever feels more comfortable!
Pregnancy is a time of significant change, and with that comes new feelings. For many people, pregnancy means their first massage experience- but not all massages are created equal!
Maintaining comfort levels during this sensitive period can be challenging without guidance from an experienced therapist who understands what type of pressure to apply at different periods in your gestation cycle.
In addition to nurturing touch, these professionals also know how best to position you on the table not to cause undue stress or discomfort.
At the same time, they work out knots in muscles often neglected by most other types of treatment when it comes down to pain relief: like those deep within joints and connective tissues. Your needs will vary throughout a normal range, making every session uniquely tailored to your needs.
Aromatherapy and essential oils
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants to enhance physical and mental wellbeing. This complementary therapy can relieve a range of complaints about those that are pregnant, such as nausea or back pain.
Some midwives offer Aromatherapy at birthing centres; speak to your midwife to see if they are available in your area.
When you visit an aromatherapist, be sure to tell them about any medical issues you have. Some treatments and essential oils may not be safe if you take certain medications because of the pregnancy hormones.
Essential oils are highly concentrated and potent substances. They should never be taken orally or used during pregnancy or breastfeeding without consulting a qualified practitioner first!
They may contain toxic compounds such as coumarin, methyl chavicol, linalool and eugenol, which could cause miscarriage if taken internally in high doses (and also through your skin).
RELATED POST: 10 Essential Oils to Help With Depression During Pregnancy
What makes pregnancy massage different?
Pregnancy massage differs from general massage because there can be some risks. Massaging specific pressure points can stimulate the uterus to start contracting. There is also a level of sensitivity and gentleness extended by the therapist.
You may find your massage therapist willing to show you and your partner some new techniques for use in the comfort of home.
If you’re expecting, they can teach you how these techniques are used on a pregnant body and give hands-on demonstrations so that both partners are comfortable with them!
But I can’t even lie down!
To maximise the effectiveness of your prenatal massage, it is essential to consider your position on the couch. Typically, side-lying is best for pregnant women as this helps relax and recuperate muscles in preparation for birth while also supporting their growing belly.
If you feel insecure or unstable on the table during your session – let them know! They can provide support with pillows or foam cutouts explicitly designed to comfortably cradle and help keep weight off sore joints such as those found in knees, elbows, ankles, hips etc.
Also, side-lying helps to use the correct pressure when massaging the lower back and hips, which often become very sore after pregnancy.
RELATED POST: What is Pelvic Girdle Pain?
Tips for a pleasant massage experience
A pregnancy massage is a great way to get relief from the pains of carrying your child.
A good therapist will make sure you are never exposed and would not care if you haven’t shaved in a while, as long as it’s safe for both you and your baby!
You can have up to weekly prenatal massages without worrying about any risks so long as there isn’t anything medically wrong with either of you.
Seek a qualified massage therapist
Qualified massage therapists have specific training beyond the national standards for massage therapists.
Women who had recent bleeding should consult with a doctor before they have a prenatal massage before their appointment so that doctors can recommend whether or not it’s safe enough based on how far along you’ve progressed into your pregnancy!
Experienced therapists can also watch for symptoms of blood clots and varicose veins, which can make a difference in treatment options.
Prenatal massage as part of Prenatal Care
Massage therapy can help pregnant women stay healthy and reduce the risk of having a difficult birth.
A midwife or obstetrician should always be consulted before starting any new therapeutic practice, but if they approve it’s safe enough for you, then routine massage appointments with your prenatal care provider may also provide emotional benefits.
Massaging Different Areas
The goal should be to stop the tension from returning, even more than simply getting rid of it.
A therapist can teach you how to use soft tissue mobilisation, foam rolling, stretching, and self-massage to stop those tension patterns from returning, plus working the muscles in the neck and scalp massage can help to reduce pregnancy-related headaches.
What to expect during a pregnancy massage
The specific position for expectant mums should be lying on one side. The Swedish massage is popular with pregnant mums. Common types of pregnancy massage are Swedish massage therapy.
You will be given the choice of how much clothing you want to wear or how much you will need to wear.
The treatment will usually last around one hour. As previously mentioned, the most comfortable position is lying on the side and treatment is designed to calm the mood and relax the muscles and tightness in pregnancy.
Pregnancy massage is a great way to relieve pregnancy-related pains such as lower back pain, hip pain and headache.
A qualified therapist will make sure you are always safe during the session. You can have up to weekly prenatal massages without worrying about any risks so long as there isn’t anything medically wrong with either of you.
Furthermore, pregnancy massage therapy is used with other forms of prenatal care by midwives and obstetricians alike. It helps new parents stay healthy while also reducing their risk for difficult births due to tension patterns that may return.
