Our expert answers questions on pregnancy massage, what you can expect and what you need to think of. It might be the thing that makes your pregnancy easier, by making you feel more relaxed and stronger.
Pregnancy massage reduces the risk of premature birth, low birth weight and even post-natal depression. It reduces stress and anxiety, helps with back pain, moods and sleep, according to a study done by the School of Medicine, at the University of Miami.
Pregnancy massage therapist and professional Labour Assistant (Doula), Tissy Guillou, has answered our questions on massage during pregnancy.
What is the difference between a normal massage and a pregnancy massage?
A pregnancy massage, also called antenatal or pre-natal massage, should only be performed by a trained therapist. The therapist should know and understand the different stages of pregnancy, what happens to the mum’s body, and which is the best position to adopt for each trimester.
In the second trimester, you can’t be massaged in prone position, laying on your belly. I do not recommend it, even if you are being massaged on a pregnancy table, which has a hole to fit your growing belly.
A pre-natal massage session is usually one hour and up to 90 min. In the third trimester, you will not be able to lay on your back for a whole hour, as it would be very uncomfortable.
The strokes and pressure should also be adapted to a pregnant body, light on the legs, whereas for a normal massage, there’s no problem putting good pressure.
It is important to talk to your therapist about any complications you might have during your pregnancy. A trained therapist will know how to deal with disorders such as pre-eclampsia and will know how to massage you safely. Not only should each massage be personalised accordingly to the mum’s needs, but a with a trained therapist a mum will get the real benefits of a massage in pregnancy.
How is the massage done? Do I lie down or sit?
It depends on the therapist and the mum. I usually massage the mum lying down on her side, on a shiatsu mat on the floor. It’s very comfortable for the mum and safer than on a table, she can’t fall when turning.
I might put her on her back for 10 minutes maximum (especially in second and third trimester). Some therapist massage will the mum sitting down, and as long as she’s comfortable there is no problem. Laying down down on a shiatsu mat is very comfortable.
From what week week of pregnancy can you have a massage? How long into pregnancy can you have a massage?
A trained therapist should be able to massage from the first trimester. The only reason why spas and beauty salons don’t massage in the first trimester is because most miscarriages happen in the first trimester and they don’t want to be blamed for it, it also an insurance issue.
Massage does not induce a miscarriage, unless performed very deeply into the tissue. While massage can be done in the first trimester it is important to keep the massage light. The massage can also be combined with energy therapies.
When should you consider having an pregnancy massage, and when not?
It’s nice to have one antenatal massage per month throughout your pregnancy and a few post-natal sessions. The post-natal massage will speed your recovery after child birth.
It will help you sail throughout your pregnancy by relieving and also preventing some of the discomfort such as oedema, sore back and sciatica. The are times when you should not have a pre-natal massage.
Talk to your therapist in advance if you have an infection, such as the flu, are bleeding, which might require your GP's permission, if you have any signs of pre-eclampsia, abnormal blood pressure, lack of urination, or any other condition that would need the doctor’s authorisation first.
Does pregnancy massage help with labour? How?
Massage in labour certainly helps relieving discomforts during the contractions. It is very helpful for mums to have a massage session with their partner. Your partner can learn a few basic massage techniques that can help and relieve the mum during labour.
Antenatal massage also prepares the body for birth by relaxing and stretching the muscles and by producing hormones that make you feel great.
Ask the massage therapist about different positions for birth and exercises to perform to prepare the body and encourage baby to stay or move into the right position. You will get instructions for gentle exercises for abdominal and perineal muscles, using an exercise ball and squatting on all fours to encourage baby to be in the right position, in preparation for birth
Can pregnancy massage help the skins elasticity?
Massage helps getting rid of dead skins, moisturising and making the skin softer and more elastic. A massage exercise you can do own your own and that is preventive for tearing or episiotomy is the perineal massage.
The perineum is the area between your vagina and your anus, and is prone to tearing or episiotomy during childbirth. The perineal massage helps with the perineum’s elasticity, to avoid getting a tear or an episiotomy. Episiotomy is where an incision is done to enlarge the vagina, to facilitate the birth.
Finding a qualified therapist
When choosing a trained practitioner in your area, find out about the training the therapist you found received and make sure the massage you receive is adapted to your needs.
I could recommend Wellmother.org.uk, to find a qualified pre-natal massage therapist in your area you can first visit . Set up by Suzanne Yates, shiatsu therapist and teacher, specialised in maternity shiatsu massage. Anyone trained and qualified with her would have good standards of practice.
Pregnancy massage shouldn’t be more expensive than a normal massage, especially as it’s good to receive a few throughout the pregnancy.
Make sure to check with your GP in advance, before beginning any new treatment when your are pregnant. Some massage therapists can require you obtain a written note from your GP before a pre-natal massage session.
Do you have any great tips to share?