Those aching feet, tender back, and overall fatigued body are all asking for some relief, especially during the second and third trimesters, when your ever-expanding belly and increased weight puts more strain on your body.

Fortunately, relief is on the horizon - in the form of a pregnancy (or prenatal) massages.

Is a Prenatal Massage Safe?

According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), research shows that, “...prenatal massage therapy can be an instrumental ingredient in women’s prenatal care and should be given careful consideration.”

However, the safety of your body and your baby are always the first priority, so it’s essential that you find local massage therapists who are not only trained in prenatal massage - but are certified in prenatal massage as a specialty. This demonstrates they’re educated and trained around all the “dos and don’ts” of massaging pregnant women.

Here in the Bay Area, I highly recommend Glow Birth & Body in Oakland. Entirely dedicated to prenatal- and postpartum mamas, you can visit Glow at their Oakland location, and they also provide “to-go” massage services, traveling to your home, birth center, or hospital if you live within their service area. Best of all, Glow Birth & Body offers gift certificates, which make a much-appreciated addition to your Baby Shower Wish List.

Always check with your care provider before scheduling a prenatal massage

While most medical professionals agree that massage is healthy at any point in a pregnancy, many prenatal massage therapists opt to wait until after the 12-week mark due to the increased risk of miscarriage during that first trimester.

Always check with your doctor or midwife before getting your first massage. There are cases where the care provider may say, “no” to a full body massage, and, “yes,” to modifications - such as using a massage chair to focus on your neck, shoulders and upper-back, etc.

This may be the case if you have experienced:

Bleeding or spotting
Pregnancy-induced hypertension (high blood pressure)
Pre-eclampsia
Prior pre-term labor
The birth of a baby in the past year
Severe swelling, headaches, or cramping
Other conditions associated with a high-risk pregnancy

Position matters

Most prenatal massage therapists have tables with a hole in the middle, designed to fit your belly. However, theories around prenatal massage safety evolve over time and now, many prenatal massage therapists forgo tummy-down positions in order to prevent a poor fit, constricted blood flow, or over-straining of the connective tissues in the pelvis/abdomen.

Instead, you may want to work with a prenatal massage therapist who uses side-lying positions that are well-supported with wedges and pillows. As always, your body knows best so never hesitate to speak up if something is uncomfortable, causes “twinges,” or simply doesn’t feel quite right. The masseuse will be happy to accommodate you.

Health Benefits of Getting a Massage During Pregnancy

Feeling guilty about a self-indulgent massage? Don’t! The APA cites a multitude of studies that demonstrate the health benefits of pregnancy massages. These include:

Regulating your hormones

Your hormones are on a rollercoaster ride throughout your pregnancy and postpartum period, as well as during your breastfeeding months/years. Studies have shown that the same hormones that stimulate relaxation and stress-reduction also improve mood and increase vascular health. That latter point is important because by the time you’re in your third-trimester, your heart is pumping 50% more blood than it was before you got pregnant.

Better birth outcomes

The APA says, “...changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence strongly suggests there are maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.” Why argue with that?

Relief of aches and pains

Massage is one of the most effective, natural pain relief treatments for anyone because it feels good and stimulates oxytocin (the same hormone induced by labor and breastfeeding to relieve discomfort and promote mother-baby bonding).

It also helps to relieve sciatica and lower back pain, which are common during the later-months of your pregnancy when ever-swelling uterus puts increasing pressure on nerves, muscles and joints in your lower-back and legs.

Reduced swelling

That same heavy uterus, along with reduced circulation results in edema, or swelling of the extremities. This is one of the reasons why keeping hydrated, and exercising at a mild- to moderate level is so important during pregnancy - it keeps everything moving and flowing.

The same is true of prenatal massage, which improves both lymphatic movement and drainage as well as improved circulation.

Better sleep

Women who received bi-weekly massages for just a couple of months experienced all the benefits listed above and they slept better. That’s huge because sleep is so essential to overall health and wellbeing, and it comes at a premium once you’re pregnant and after your baby is born. Anything you can do to promote healthy sleep rituals and patterns pays off for you in terms of better moods, more energy, and the ability to weather the life-altering changes your baby will bring along.

I highly encourage all pregnant women to seek prenatal massage therapy if your physician or midwife approves. Your body, spirit, and baby deserve all the TLC you can soak up.

My name is Marcela Limon and I’m the owner of Lemonshoots. I am passionate about mamas-to-be and the precious babies who arrive at the other side of the nine-month wait. Contact me - to schedule your maternity and newborn photography sessions, and I guarantee to produce stunning images that capture the sweet essence of this transformative time in your lives.

Can You Get a Massage During Pregnancy?