Massage Therapy while pregnant can provide relief from swelling and cramping in the legs, anxiety, back pain and the stress pregnancy takes on the entire body. Mothers-to-be often report better sleep and less aches and pains.

The therapy can be performed on a massage table with a pregnancy insert or as a side-to-side massage.

Massage therapy during pregnancy, if received throughout the entire nine months, can help to reduce active labor and delivery time by 20-25%.

By improving muscle tone, helping tight muscles to relax (especially on a regular basis throughout pregnancy), and easing anxiety, massage therapy is actually preparing your body for labor. As you relax and release those tense muscles, you are conditioning your body for birthing.

Many studies have proven that massage during pregnancy provides less painful labor and can reduce labor time, complications, and the amount of narcotics needed for pain.

By increasing circulation and blood flow, massage can bring more vitamins, nutrients and minerals to your body, and to your baby’s body, making him/her healthier.

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Main Benefits of massage during pregnancy:

Reduces swelling and edema in the hands, feet and ankles
Reduces muscle pain, tension and cramping
Helps to condition muscles and increase flexibility
Improves sleep patterns
Increases blood circulation and helps the body eliminate waste
Decreases anxiety
Boosts immune system function
Reduces labor and delivery time

Can you get massage with a High Risk Pregnancy?

If you are in a high risk pregnancy, it is always best to discuss massage therapy with your doctor before looking for a therapist. He/She may also be able to connect you with someone who is highly trained and experienced to work with high-risk pregnancy patients.

What happens during the session?

The therapists will often do a brief medical history discussion with you before discussing what will happen during the massage.

The session may include Swedish massage (long, light strokes) craniosacral work (emphasizing work on head, neck, back and shoulders), facial massage, or reflexology (emphasizing massage on hands and feet).

A pregnancy massage session takes at least 60 minutes, but may go as long as 90 minutes.

The mother is surrounded with pillows for support and draped with a sheet and/or blanket for comfort. Soft, slow music will most likely be playing and the room will be dark, with very little light.

The massage will usually start with head, neck and shoulder work. Next, you will either move to your side for massage on the arms, legs, and back or turn over if there is a pregnancy insert in the table.

Massage during pregnancy, with the client laying on her stomach, is not recommended beyond 18-20 weeks. Side-to-side massage should always be performed at that stage.