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Home › Articles › Comfort in Pregnancy › The Art of Prenatal Massage

The Art of Prenatal Massage

Learn the Art of Massage During Pregnancy

By Kelly Lott, RMT

Pages:  1  2  3  

I do not recommend massaging so deeply that pain is ever felt. The most effective guide for determining proper pressure is open communication between the mom and whoever is massaging her.

An unscented lotion is best to use as a lubricant, since many pregnant women have an aversion to strong odors. The person giving the massage should have short, trim and smooth nails, and should avoid wearing any watches, rings or other jewelry that might cut skin or make noise to distract from the experience. The massage should be done in a quiet area away from phones, traffic, children, pets, etc. Soft and soothing music can add to the relaxation and comfort of the mom-to-be. The room should be well ventilated -- having a fan circulating the air is a good idea.

The person giving the massage should have short, trim and smooth nails, and should avoid wearing any watches, rings or other jewelry that might cut skin or make noise to distract from the experience.

Massage can be performed anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour, depending on how much time you have and how much discomfort you are experiencing. Once a week during the second trimester is great, and twice a week or more, during the third trimester is wonderful. In my practice and in my teaching, I have found that my pregnant clients appreciate their massage therapy appointments because they know relief is at hand. They look forward to their weekly appointments to ease recurring problems, such as sciatica, leg cramps, and back and round ligament pain. I hope pregnancy massage eases any discomfort you may be feeling, too.

Benefits of prenatal massage include:
  • emotional support and nurturing touch;
  • relaxation and decreased insomnia;
  • stress relief on weight-bearing joints, such as ankles, lower back and pelvis;
  • neck and back pain relief caused by muscle imbalance and weakness;
  • assistance in maintaining proper posture;
  • preparing the muscles used during childbirth;
  • reduced swelling in hands and feet;
  • lessened sciatic pain;
  • fewer calf cramps;
  • headache and sinus congestion relief.

    Pregnancy massage can be done in different ways. Pregnant women may lie on their sides to be massaged, and they can actually lie on their bellies, since a specifically designed pillow has made it possible for expectant moms, no matter how far along they are, to lie flat on their stomachs. It accomplishes this with a deep center cutout in the pillow, so that bellies are accommodated and moms-to-be are relaxed and comfortable.

    After the first 22 weeks of pregnancy, lying flat on your back can cause pressure on deep blood vessels, due to the growing baby, thereby reducing circulation to you and your baby. To avoid this problem, pillows can be used to ensure that you are lying down and looking at the wall rather than the ceiling. Body pillows are especially effective for the side-lying position.


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