In a recent blog I explained the benefits of massage during pregnancy:

• Reduced back pain
• Reduced joint pain
• Improved circulation
• Reduced oedema
• Reduced muscle tension and headache
• Hormone regulation
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Decreased symptoms of depression
• Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
• Better sleep

 
It is important to see a massage therapist with additional training in pregnancy/ peri-natal massage, so that they have a thorough understanding of pregnancy and your pregnant needs, knowledge of the contraindications to working with pregnant clients, and how to safely adapt positioning, massage and stretching techniques to pregnancy’s demands.  Pregnancy massage involves different techniques and modifications to the treatments so don’t be afraid to ask if your therapist has specialist training.

Safe positioning is also of upmost importance when receiving a pregnancy massage.  The best position for a pregnant woman during massage is side-lying.   Tables that provide a hole for the belly to fit through may seem like a wonderful idea in order to allow you to be able to lie face down, however, in reality there are a number of reasons why this cannot be recommended.  First of all, not all bodies are the same size or shape.  Some people have longer torsos than others and some carry higher or lower and some people have weight distributed differently.  A pre-made hole isn’t going to fit every bump.  More importantly dangling your belly through a hole can put strain on your ligaments.  The uterus is held in place by 3 sets of ligaments. During pregnancy a hormone called relaxin is released that causes you to not feel ligament pain as much.  This comes in useful when your pelvis starts to shift and open to allow the baby to get low and eventually to come out.  It also means you are not going to feel ligament damage as it is happening.  Hanging your belly through a hole in a table essentially means that gravity is pulling the entire weight of the contents of your uterus (baby, amniotic fluid, placenta) down, whilst the ligaments are trying to keep everything where it should be.  Some tables have a sling that goes underneath the table which can be tightened to support the ligaments, but the amount it would need to be tightened to protect those ligaments is enough to increase intra-uterine pressure (the pressure inside the uterus) which is what the hole was aiming to prevent!  Tables with these holes also increase the risk of increasing back pain.  Very often pregnancy creates a tendency towards increased spinal curvature and tension (this is quite likely one of the reasons you would come for a pregnancy massage).  If the belly is hanging through hole the back also isn’t well supported which strains the ligaments between the vertebrae.  If the massage therapist also applies pressure to the back as part of the massage further damage could be done, that you may not notice straight away due to the relaxin.


For these reasons pregnancy I offer pregnancy massages in the sidelying position on an extra-wide massage table.  4-8 pillows of various sizes and shapes are used to support the healthy alignment of your body whilst supporting your belly.  When the body is in proper alignment, with the knees stacked one above the other and the hips lined up with the shoulders, it mimics the body’s natural lines and allows for better range of motion of the joints. Keeping the hips and ankles stacked one on top of the other reduces the twist in the low spine and allows space for the sciatic nerve and the tendon and ligaments of the pelvis.  Being shown how to use pillows to get comfortable in a side lying position will also give you some tips for getting a comfy night’s sleep.

Therapeutic massage has been used for centuries to improve overall health, reduce stress, and relieve muscle tension.  Pregnancy, with the extra stress and strain it brings both physically and emotionally can be a good time to experience the benefits of this therapy.
Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labour outcomes and new-born health.  Pregnancy massage aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body, it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts. (1,2,3)

Hormone regulation
Studies published in the past 10 years have shown that hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered when massage therapy is introduced to women’s prenatal care. This leads to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health.
In women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks, hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (hormones associated with stress) were reduced, and dopamine and serotonin levels were increased (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression). (3, 5)
These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of new-born complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence strongly suggests there are maternal and new-born health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care. (4, 7)

Reduction of swelling
Oedema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy, is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissues to reduce the collection of fluids in swollen joints. This also improves the removal of tissue waste carried by the body’s lymph system.

Improvement of nerve pain
Sciatic nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through massage. (6)

Other potential benefits of prenatal massage:

• Reduced back pain
• Reduced joint pain
• Improved circulation
• Reduced oedema
• Reduced muscle tension and headache
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
• Better sleep

References and further reading:

1. Field, T. (1999). Pregnant Women Benefit From Massage Therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mar;20(1):31-8.
2. Field, T. (2004). Massage Therapy Effects on Depressed Pregnant Women. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Jun;25(2):115-22.
3. Howell, Julie, NMT, PMT, Prenatal Health Through Massage Therapy: For Women and Their Babies.
4. https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/prenatal-massage/
5. https://www.massagemag.com/massage-helps-reduce-depression-during-pregnancy-32611/
6. https://www.massagemag.com/gate-theory-massage-might-reduce-pain-during-pregnancy-30335/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2870995/
8. https://www.zeel.com/blog/massage/staying-comfortable-during-your-prenatal-massage/
9. https://bodytherapyeducation.com/positioning-concerns-for-prenatal-massage-therapy/

In my nearly 20 years experience as a therapist I've done a lot of listening (and those of you who know my mum - who can talk the hind leg of a donkey - will appreciate that I also put in a lot of practice for years before that!) When you come to me for a pregnancy massage its usually not just about the massage (though it might be). I do this work because I recognise what a huge transition this time is. You are growing a whole new human! Whether its your first baby or your 5th your life is going to change too, in ways you can only begin to imagine before they arrive. You might have aches and pains, you might be tired, you might be totally loving being pregnant, or really struggling to get through the (lets face it) nearly 10 months. You might want to talk to me about your worries, or you may have seen that I also work as a birth doula and want to ask me questions. You might just want to lay quietly, feel nurtured, pampered and relaxed. I'd like to think that I'm intuitive enough to tell what you need from your visit, and of course I will ask you. Right now I'm wondering what else I can add to the things I already offer and would love some feedback!
Currently I offer an hours pregnancy massage for £40, this is a full body massage, on a heated bed, laid on your side supported by as many pillows and cushions as necessary to make you feel comfortable. I also pre-warm the towels and oil. For those who want their face included in the massage I offer a mini-facial massage at the end of the treatment at no extra cost, meaning the treatment time is nearer to 75 minutes. I use Neals Yard Organic Products (the Mother's Massage Oil, which though expensive smells divine, for the body massage; White Tea Facial Mist and either Frankincense or Rose and Mallow Face Cream for the facial massage, and diffuse a blend of Frankincense and Lavender essential oils into the room) if for any reason you don't want to use any of these products (eg allergies or disliking certain smells, I can make suitable substitutions). After a short consultation I leave you to undress and return when you are comfortable. You can have relaxing music unless you prefer silence, and I will take my cue from you if you want to chat or just drift off into a relaxed bubble. At the end of the massage I will leave you to slowly come too and will only return when you are up and dressed and have left the door ajar signalling you are ready for me to come back in. Because I recognise the value of regular massages throughout pregnancy I also offer a 'deal' so that if you book in for a course of 5 massages I give you a sixth for free. These massages can also be taken post-natally, and I realise that in pregnancy you may have to cancel at short notice so I don't expect my usual cancellation fee.
You can book direct with me via mobile telephone/ text, facebook messenger and email as well as by ringing the clinic reception. I don't currently take card payments (but watch this space) but I'm happy to accept bank transfers and I do offer vouchers if you want to drop heavy hints with your loved ones!
I am always looking to improve my service - so please do tell me what you like or something I may have forgotten that would enhance your experience. Much love to you gorgeous pregnant goddesses! x