Pregnancy Massage
Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.
Massage aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Massage is the recommended method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts.
What does a pregnancy massage consist of?
At Secret Spa, our trained and professional massage therapists will deliver a tailored and unique pregnancy massage in the comfort of your own home lasting either 60 or 90 minutes. The therapist will listen to your particular concerns regarding any tension or pain, and work to facilitate deep relaxation, helping you to enjoy your pregnancy and alleviate any unwanted symptoms.
As with other body massages, you’ll lie on a massage table and you may be given additional cushions or specially shaped bolsters, to make lying more comfortable. Usually you’ll lie on your side, particularly later in pregnancy, when this is more comfortable.
There are many different massage techniques which can be drawn on by the therapist for pregnancy massage. Typically, deeper tissue techniques will be avoided, and more gentle techniques will be used. Anecdotally, we all know how wonderful a good massage can be, but there isn’t much research to explain why it works. Therefore, massage therapists are generally gentler when massaging a pregnant client.
During pregnancy, the woman’s body goes through many changes; a pregnancy massage will be mindful of these. For example, blood volume during pregnancy increases by as much as 50%. This causes pressure on the lower legs. The therapist will avoid deep tissue massage here and instead use light, relaxing and long strokes which help circulation.
If you would like your masseuse to massage your pregnant belly, this is possible, but it will again be gentle, using long strokes, designed to make you feel comfortable, womanly and at ease.
Is pregnancy massage safe?
The NHS states that pregnancy massage is one of the safe complementary therapies you can use during pregnancy.
The issue is that there is enormous variation in the training and skill of the therapist. Choose a reputable provider, like Secret Spa, for a professional and safe pregnancy massage.
Generally it is advised to avoid pregnancy massage in your first trimester, especially if you have a history of miscarriages. Indeed, many reputable therapists will not undertake massage on pregnant women in their first trimester. There isn’t any evidence to prove that massage can trigger miscarriage, but it’s a sensible precaution to take.
It’s also sensible to avoid pregnancy massage if you’re suffering particularly badly with vomiting or nausea, although some specialist massage therapists may actually be able to help alleviate these symptoms. You should also avoid pregnancy massage if you are considered at high-risk of placental abruption or premature labour.
If you’re in doubt about whether pregnancy massage is safe for you, speak to your midwife, GP or obstetrician.
