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Is massage safe in the 1st trimester? How is prenatal massage different from regular massage? Why is it improtant for the therapist to be certified in prenatal massage? When can I begin to receive prenatal massage? What positioning is used? When am I too pregnant to receive massage? When should I not receive prenatal massage?
............................................................................................................................................. Is Massage Safe in the 1st Trimester?
Absolutely! Massage is safe in any trimester of a healthy pregnancy. As always, check with your primary care physician to make sure that prenatal massage is safe for you. Check out this article by Elaine Stillerman,LMT, a highly respected professional and a pioneer of prenatal, labor support and postpartum massage therapy. http://www.massagetoday.com/archives/2006/01/11.html
How is prenatal massage different from regular massage? While both types of massage share the same goals – to relieve muscle aches and joint pains, reduce anxiety and stress, and promote relaxation and circulation, prenatal massage is more focused on the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. The biggest difference is the positioning and the pressure that is used depending where you are in your pregnancy. In your 1st Trimester you may lay flat, if comfortable, and the pressure will be limited to a light-medium Swedish style. NO work will be done on the abdomen in the 1st Trimester. Beginning in your 2nd Trimester you will be lying face up in a semi-sitting position for most of the treatment, and lying on your left side with pillows supporting you to work on your back. (See “What positioning is used?”) During your 2nd and 3rd Trimesters your desired pressure may be applied.
Why is it important for the therapist to be certified in prenatal massage? While many salons and spa offer pregnancy massage, it does not always mean that their therapists are certified in prenatal massage. Certified Prenatal Massage Therapists have specialized training and an extensive knowledge of pregnancy and the anatomy of a pregnant woman in all stages of gestation.
When can I begin to receive prenatal massage? In your 1st Trimester massage is safe and calming, and can leave you feeling balanced and revitalized. However, most women will start to notice more changes in their bodies and begin to experience more physical discomforts in the 2nd Trimester, so this may be when you want to begin treatment. (Always consult with your primary health care provider prior to receiving pregnancy massage)
What positioning is used? During your 1st Trimester you may lay flat as long as you are comfortable. Beginning in your 2nd Trimester you will be propped up with pillows to a semi-sitting position with an additional pillow under your knees for support. Most women find this very comfortable and sleep like this once they get home. To massage your back, you will be asked to turn onto your left side and a pillow will be placed under your head, between your knees, and under/in front of your belly for support. We do not use the tables with the holes cut out for the belly. These tables may allow the abdomen to dangle, causing uncomfortable stretching of the uterine ligaments.
When am I too pregnant to receive massage? In a normal and healthy pregnancy you are never “too pregnant” for a massage. The weeks leading up to your delivery may be when you need it most! The closer you come to your due date, feelings of anxiety about the birth may begin to surface and turn into physical tension. Massage at this time can help to ease the mind and calm the body, and may be performed all the way up to and even in the delivery room!
When should I not receive prenatal massage? Massage during pregnancy is usually safe for most mothers. Always consult with your primary care physician to make sure that prenatal massage is safe for you. The following conditions are contraindicated:
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