What to expect during a pregnancy massage

I am a great believer - unsurprisingly - in making massage a regular feature in your diary. But in reality, many of us see it as a luxury or wait until we're in real discomfort before booking a treatment.

For pregnant women whose bodies are adapting to so much change, there's no better time to prioritise your own health and wellbeing. A massage can provide much-needed emotional and physical support during this amazing, yet challenging time.

Is pregnancy massage safe?

Massage is completely safe during pregnancy and is typically offered by therapists after the first trimester (12 weeks). This is because things are more subject to change during the first trimester. There are some conditions that will affect the massage, so permission from your midwife and a thorough consultation will help to assess whether massage is right for you.

Many healthcare professionals nowadays will encourage pregnant woman to consider complementary therapies to support them through the changes pregnancy brings. Massage can really help to boost your energy levels and help you feel more calm and grounded.

Relieving growing pains

As the baby grows and hormonal changes allow the joints to loosen, more strain is put on the joints. The woman's posture starts to adjust and so more pressure is put on parts of the body like the hips and lower back. As she gains weight, her muscles can become overworked and a shift in her centre of gravity causes postural imbalance.

Massage can alleviate some of these aches and pains by increasing blood flow to the muscles and releasing built up tension. Common problem areas like the hips, neck and shoulders or lower back can also be targeted during a pregnancy massage.

What are the benefits of pregnancy massage?

How long have you got? There's a plethora of benefits to pregnancy massage for the mind and body. For example, relieving physical discomfort, stress relief, helping with constipation and lowering or balancing blood pressure.

Massage releases oxytocin - known as 'the love hormone' because its main function is to facilitate childbirth. Oxytocin promotes positive feelings and unsurprisingly, massage can really help you to relax and unwind. And - the baby benefits too by experiencing those 'feel good' hormones passed on from mum!

During pregnancy, the body produces about 50% more blood and body fluids than usual to cater to the new baby. Plus, the growing uterus can affect blood flow. This commonly causes swelling in areas like the legs and feet, which can be eased with lymphatic drainage. A pregnancy massage with me incorporates some lymphatic drainage to help with any swelling you are experiencing.

What to expect during a pregnancy massage

I will conduct a thorough consultation with you before going ahead, to find out about your medical history, how your pregnancy has been so far and to see if any adaptations are necessary for the treatment.

Typically I offer a full body massage, working on the back, arms, legs, feet, scalp, and face, but I will discuss any areas of tension with you and tailor the treatment to target them. I always bring in guided breath work which helps to calm the nervous system. The massage is inspired by Swedish techniques, so it's really relaxing, but we can go deeper for any knots or tense areas you have. You will be lying on your side for the majority of the massage, followed by a short period of time on your back while I work on your face, scalp and feet. Divine!

I also offer postnatal massage which is a wonderful way to look after yourself while you get used to looking after your little one during those first few weeks or months.

Please always consult your healthcare professional to have the 'green light' about booking a pregnancy massage, especially if you have any health concerns. They will advise as to whether massage is safe for you.

Book your pregnancy massage with me today.