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The Art of Prenatal Massage

Learn the Art of Massage During Pregnancy

By Kelly Lott, RMT

• heavy discharge (watery or bloody);
• diabetes;
• contagious illness;
• fever;
• vomiting;
• unusual pain;
• pre-eclampsia;
• high blood pressure;
• morning sickness;
• abdominal pain;
• diarrhea;
• any malignant condition.

Areas of the body that should not be massaged include:

• skin rashes, open sores, bruises;
• inflammation;
• raised or distended varicose veins;
• local infection sites.

In addition to these areas, one other precaution needs to be mentioned: Direct and sustained pressure should not be applied to the area between the ankle bone and heel. This area is considered by many massage therapists and reflexologists to relate with the uterus and vagina, and it is thought that heavy pressure to this area could promote early labor. Assuming there are no other precautions or considerations, it should be all right to massage the rest of the feet.

Because of the tremendous physical and hormonal changes that occur in the expectant mother, I do not recommend any massage during the first trimester. In my opinion, this is the time for the mothe to get comfortable with being pregnant. The second and third trimesters are wonderful times to begin prenatal massage.

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