Pregnancy Massage

Massage uses touch, of differing depths, to provide physical and psychological comfort. Light pressures can be relaxing, especially during emotionally difficult times, it also can help to reduce inflammation. Deeper pressures are used to treat muscle aches and pains, which can also result in a relaxing experience. Oil tends to be used when there is direct skin to skin contact between the therapist and the client, but massage can also be performed at times without oils, through clothing.

Massage can be very useful during pregnancy, for both its relaxing and pain relieving properties, yet many massage therapists will not massage a pregnant woman. If you are finding the pregnancy stressful or you are suffering aches and pains of pregnancy, then you want a massage from a therapist you can trust. This is possible if the therapist is trained properly.

What to Expect During a Session

The initial session will start with a short consultation, after this the massage can be designed around the needs and desires of the client. Many aspects of the massage can be varied to suit the client: the oils used; the positions used, for instance lying on the side when other positions are not comfortable; types and depth of massage strokes used; and body parts massaged (if in pain many women prefer the massage to be focussed on the problem areas rather than having a general full body massage).

When receiving a massage it is important that you are comfortable, both with the position and the massage. Therefore once you are no longer able to lie on your front, because of your bump or tender breasts, the massage is performed on a futon on the floor. This allows you to get comfortable and relax properly for the massage without worrying about falling off the massage plinth. Cushions are available and as the futon is a double the client can stretch out to get comfortable.

Massage Before Pregnancy

Many women have regular massages during the time that they are trying to conceive, with no problems. If you are having trouble conceiving, however, you may worry about having a massage. A specialist in massaging during pregnancy will be able to massage safely with no fears, even during the second half of your cycle when there is a possibility that you are in the early stages of the pregnancy. This is useful if you are having difficulty conceiving and under going fertility treatments, but would like a massage for an injury or relaxation.

Massage During Pregnancy

The ideal massage can vary depending not only on the reason for the massage, but also the trimester of the pregnancy.

First Trimester

During the first few months of the pregnancy a number of women are still most comfortable lying on their front on a massage plinth, yet others are more comfortable not lying on their front. Massage strokes tend to be lighter, unless there is an injury which needs to be treated or chronic pains which require treatment.

Second Trimester

As the pregnancy progresses the abdomen gets bigger, the breasts may grow and become tender, and the joints loosen (which may start to cause aches and pains). Massage during this time is most often performed on a double futon on the floor, with the therapist sitting on the floor, this is found to be very comfortable. Deeper massage strokes are often appreciated.

Third Trimester

During the final few months a massage is greatly appreciated, partly for the chance to take the weight off the feet! Deep massage in the lower back and buttocks helps with lower back, hip and sciatic pain, while massage to the shoulders helps with deal with pain and stress. Manual lymph drainage (MLD) moves can be combined with the massage to reduce simple oedema during this time.

Women also find the massage session a useful time to discuss the future birth, and any worries they may have.

Acupressure points can also be used during the treatments to help treat a number of conditions: muscle and joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, breech presentation, delayed labour.

Massage During Labour

Massage can be extremely useful during labour. While this service is not supplied through Natural Pregnancy in Glasgow, birth partners can be taught simple and effective massage techniques for throughout the pregnancy and the birth. If you are planning to use massage during the labour it is useful to give yourself time to practice, the last thing you want to be doing when the contractions start is looking for instructions.

Massage After Birth

For a number of weeks, or months, after the birth women feel more comfortable using a specialist. While the breasts are tender the massage may still not be comfortable if performed lying on the front, also a number of aches and pains may still relate to pregnancy related conditions.

There are a number of reasons for attending a specialist massage therapist after the birth. While the lower back can be problematic at the end of the pregnancy, after the birth mothers can start to feel aches in the upper back and shoulders due to lifting the baby and feeding. Specialist massage of the breasts can be very useful to treat blocked milk ducts and recurrent mastitis.

Is the massage good? We think so, but don’t take our word for it read what has been written about it on forums and in the newspaper.

Anna Hill practises at Woodland Herbs in Glasgow, she has a diploma in pregnancy massage from Well Mother. She also teaches simple massage techniques to birth partners.

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