Prenatal Massage

Specially designed for mothers-to-be, this massage promotes relaxation, and increases circulation and oxygen to the muscles. Providing comfort as you prepare to welcome your child to the world, the treatment helps to relieve tension and alleviate swelling in the hands and feet. Your comfort is assured with supportive pillows.

Massage during pregnancy is therapeutic bodywork that focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through dramatic changes. It is a fast-growing field in the United States that has attracted the interest of labor and delivery nurses, nurse-midwives, childbirth educators and obstetricians. Massage therapy enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.

Prenatal massage can be applied in different ways. 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, you will lie on your side with pillows for support as you receive your massage.

The 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; relief of neck and back pain 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.

Massage during pregnancy is safe for most mothers. Our massage therapists will want to know if you are having any problems or complications with your pregnancy before you begin. If you are, then our therapists may require approval from your primary health care provider before proceeding with any bodywork. The following are circumstances in which massage should not be performed: heavy discharge (watery or bloody); diabetes; contagious illness; fever; vomiting; unusual pain; pre-clampsia; high blood pressure; morning sickness; abdominal pain; diarrhea; any malignant condition.

Because of the tremendous physical and hormonal changes that occur in the expectant mother, we do not recommend any massage during the first trimester. Massage can be performed anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how much time you have and how much discomfort you are experiencing. Once a week during the second trimester is recommended, and twice a week or more during the third trimester can be very beneficial.