A massage is precious, but only if you can truly enjoy it. If you, as an expectant mother, feel the desire for a pregnancy massage that is good for your body and soul and therefore also for your baby, then go ahead.
Maybe you received a voucher and are wondering. A massage during pregnancy? Yes, that’s possible, and it’s even allowed instead of forbidden, like so many things during this special time.
But are you allowed to treat yourself to a massage during your pregnancy or is there anything against it?
In principle, anything that helps you relax is allowed. A soothing back massage or a neck massage from your partner might be just the thing for you.
You and your partner can simply use regular oil, warm it up a bit beforehand, and then get started. Just make sure the movements are gentle and don’t put pressure on specific areas.
They should be gentle and soft movements that are good for you and the baby.
When it comes to the belly area, stroking or gentle oiling are ideal. This is not only a great way to relax, but it also helps you both prepare for the baby and parenthood.
So, for a good and soothing massage, not only a massage therapist is suitable, but your partner can also pamper you.
The most important thing is that you relax and enjoy yourself, and that you find inner peace and calm.
Massage has been used for healing since time immemorial and is still widely practiced in many cultures today.
Since a massage has a positive effect on the body and soul, it is also popular among pregnant women.
But you have to know that a massage during pregnancy should be your decision, just like anything else that is good for you.
It’s a misconception that massage is beneficial for all pregnant women. You may enjoy yoga or prenatal exercises , or you may not like being touched at all during your pregnancy—anything is possible.
Every pregnancy and every woman is different and has different wishes, needs and ideas about relaxation.
A massage is indeed a wonderful and beneficial thing, but it shouldn’t be your option just because it’s a trend and all the other pregnant women are doing it.
And don’t just say you had a prenatal massage. A false reason won’t do you any good, and if you’re unhappy, your feelings will be passed on to the baby.
And if you do something against your will and something you don’t feel comfortable with, your baby can sense that too.
A pregnancy massage, like any other massage, should contribute to your well-being, which in turn creates a feeling of security.
The overall benefit of a massage is to relieve muscle tension and help you get to know your body and how it responds to different touches.
A massage helps you identify where your muscles are loose and where they’re relaxed. Knowing where you’re tense will also help you learn how to prevent these problems.
Maybe traditional breathing exercises are enough, or you just need to change your posture a little.
A massage relieves tension and improves circulation. With so many benefits, a prenatal massage is certainly a good activity to include in your prenatal preparation program , promoting a relaxed and safe delivery.
Nowadays, there is no one who does not suffer from stress, and stress is known to have a negative impact on health in a variety of ways.
A massage helps you reduce stress and find balance between mind and body.
A massage awakens harmony and brings it back if it has been lost due to everyday stress.
However, before you decide to have a pregnancy massage, you must discuss it with your gynecologist beforehand.
Only when there is nothing against it can you allow yourself to be caressed by your soul and body.
If you have any pregnancy-related problems , especially if your pregnancy is considered high-risk, you must discuss it with your gynecologist.
The masseurs must always be aware of the entire situation so that they know what to pay attention to when massaging.
Physiotherapists are not competent to decide or recommend a massage unless your physiotherapist contacts your gynecologist and knows what to look for.
Only a gynecologist can recommend something and know what is gentle and safe for you and your baby.
For example, if expectant mothers have to lie down throughout their pregnancy, certain massages are also recommended, but never without the supervision of a gynecologist.
A pregnancy must be stable and secure before you can treat yourself to a massage. A full-body massage is not recommended for high-risk pregnancies.
Although almost all massages are soothing and gentle, every masseur must be informed about your pregnancy status through a preliminary consultation.
Pregnancy massages have a beneficial and soothing effect and are also a great way to prepare for childbirth.
We women are so different and the high-performance sport called pregnancy is not the same for every woman, nor is every pregnancy the same for the same woman.
Although you may have to work or have many responsibilities, you still need to find time for yourself every now and then and treat yourself to some peace and quiet. This balance is important so that you can function normally while pregnant.
Because our environment often tends to continue to demand the same things from us, even though we are under different circumstances.
This intense time is often accompanied by various discomforts, which are usually harmless, but they prevent you from enjoying your pregnancy and calmly preparing for the new phase in your life.
Fortunately, not every pregnant woman is affected by all of the symptoms, although it sometimes seems that way, but there are also those who suffer from associated symptoms such as back pain, sciatica and various muscle tensions.
Massages are generally relaxing and allow you to forget about everyday life and feel completely at ease.
If you can’t find peace in a massage, there are many other birth preparation options where you’re sure to find something interesting for you.
Is a pregnancy massage safe?
A good massage is actually recommended from the beginning of pregnancy. It’s important for your mental health, because pregnancy itself takes its toll on you and changes your feelings and the way you think.
It is not for nothing that it is said that women who are pregnant are in different circumstances.
This applies not only to the changes in your body, but also to your physical and mental state. Pregnancy affects your thoughts and feelings and dictates your mood.
Especially today, when every pregnant woman is worried about even more things: the quality of food , its composition and ingredients, the use of various toxic ingredients in everyday cosmetics.
So you often stumble across information like: that nail polish is forbidden during pregnancy , or deodorants or other things that we are all used to.
Not only does having to do without many things make being pregnant difficult, but also the worry about the many bacteria and viruses that lurk everywhere, especially in winter, and the impact they can have on the baby’s development.
All these small, but not unimportant things may be bothering you and bringing a dose of unrest into your everyday life.
Every woman hopes during pregnancy that her baby will be born healthy and that the birth will be harmless, and you probably do too.
A massage that caresses your body and soul has an anti-stress effect, so to speak.
That’s why massages are good during pregnancy, because the good mood and positive vibrations you experience during a massage reach your baby, which has a positive effect on its development.
A massage not only has a positive effect on your psyche, but also on the physical tension you are likely to feel during pregnancy.
Especially at the end of your pregnancy, when you may experience water retention, back pain, muscle tension and other pregnancy-related discomforts.
A massage will definitely release the various muscle tensions, which will have a positive effect on your pelvic floor muscles. When these muscles are no longer tense, they are supplied with blood and no longer hurt as much, and you feel less pressure on your pelvic floor.
So a massage while you are pregnant is a good choice, if not a very good one, and is even recommended to relieve the “side effects” of pregnancy.
However, you must keep in mind that a massage during pregnancy is not quite the same as a regular one.
Because you can’t lie on your stomach, for example, which wouldn’t be comfortable for you and could even be dangerous for the baby.
A special massage table with a hole for the stomach should also not be your choice, because the pressure you feel when lying in such a position is too great.
Not only too big for you, but for your baby and your uterus too.
Lying on your back is also not recommended, perhaps early in your pregnancy, but later in the second and third trimester you should avoid it because of the risk of vena cava syndrome, where your baby puts pressure on your uterus and prevents blood flow to the heart via the vena cava.
When sleeping, you should also make sure that you do not lie flat on your back to avoid possible pregnancy complications.
If you are already in an advanced stage of pregnancy, then you will certainly know what I am talking about, because with a large belly it is sometimes not even easy to lie on your side, let alone on your back or stomach.
So, lying on your back and stomach has been cleared up and it shouldn’t be your first choice.
During a massage, it’s best to lie on your side. Lying on your side is certainly more comfortable, especially if you use positioning pillows to keep you comfortable.
Maybe this position is not comfortable enough for you, then you can enjoy the massage while sitting.
A massage while sitting is also very pleasant and the whole point of a massage is to make you comfortable and feel good all around.
Not every woman is equally comfortable lying or sitting, a massage in a comfortable sitting position is also good and relaxing.
Your massage therapist must also make sure to use a suitable oil for the massage.
You have probably already noticed that the certain smells of different oils do not do you good and smell unpleasant.
Essential oils in particular should be avoided because some are known to even trigger premature labor.
Pregnancy massage – from when?
There’s nothing wrong with a massage from the beginning of pregnancy. Until the second trimester,
During the 2nd trimester you can treat yourself to a foot massage, hand massage, back massage, neck massage or facial massage.
Later, when your pregnancy is already advanced and especially when water retention occurs, a special technique using gentle lymphatic drainage is recommended.
In such a case, an intensive and strong leg massage is not recommended.
You should especially avoid the inner thigh region. Although a foot massage is certainly beneficial, you should avoid reflex massage during pregnancy because such massages can induce contractions.
A belly massage, on the other hand, is always gentle and pressure-free. It’s more of a caressing treatment, with the oil being massaged in. It transmits positive vibrations to the baby, especially during the fifth, sixth, and seventh months of pregnancy.
If the mother comes to the massage feeling irritated and worried, so will the baby.
You might then feel a kick or other movements from your baby in your tummy, but once the massage begins, you’ll notice how your baby calms down and relaxes. It’s true that babies respond positively to massage, too.
Pregnancy massage – Until when?
A pregnancy massage is permitted up until the last week of pregnancy, even the last day of your pregnancy. Some women even receive massages right up until their due date.
A massage has a very positive effect on childbirth because the woman is very relaxed.
Especially for expectant mothers who have combined a pregnancy massage with an activity such as pregnancy yoga.
Pregnancy exercises combined with massages will help you stay relaxed and get to know your body, which will definitely promise a pain-free delivery and your baby will be born as gently as possible.
Which massages are allowed during pregnancy?
If you have already asked your massage therapist about a massage, you have probably noticed that the selection is really very large.
But now you don’t know which massages you are allowed to have during pregnancy.
Not only is the selection diverse, but the names are also a bit misleading because you don’t know what they all actually are.
During pregnancy, you are allowed to have any type of massage, provided your pregnancy is proceeding without complications.
It is important that you get into the hands of an experienced and trained massage therapist, because a massage therapist without pregnancy massage training will not be able to sufficiently understand and take into account the physiology of a pregnant woman, which could potentially backfire on you.
You can even get a massage at a midwife’s office if you want to play it safe. At a midwife’s office, you’ll receive a perinatal massage, which is relatively new and was developed exclusively for pregnant women.
You can also ask at the clinic or hospital you have chosen whether they offer perinatal massage during your initial consultation.
It is well known that a massage is good for you and that it has a positive effect on you and your body in many ways.
During a massage, your body not only produces oxytocin, but also endorphins, which are known to be happiness hormones.
They have a mood-enhancing and pain-relieving effect, allowing you to relax and regain the strength you will definitely need between contractions during labor.
So if a perinatal massage is available, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself. Even if you’re averse to the idea, it’s perfectly fine.
Many of us don’t like being touched, especially when we’re in labor and our only focus is on delivering the baby.
Studies show that women who received a massage during childbirth suffered less pain and anxiety, and the birth was less stressful for them and the baby.
It was also observed that such women suffered less from mood swings and postpartum depression later in the postpartum period.
Here’s a small list of massages offered. Before choosing, however, you should definitely consult with your gynecologist to see if you are eligible for them.
1. Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a gentle massage therapy that will help you find inner peace. You may appear calm on the outside, but is that true on the inside?
Ayurveda is an Indian traditional healing art that will help you keep a cool head as you struggle with the various changes during all stages of pregnancy.
Ayurveda connects and calms the mind, body and soul and the little baby growing inside you.
2. Hot Stone
As the name suggests, this is a massage with hot stones. While warm stone massages have their admirers, they are also discouraged.
Such a massage is actually considered unsafe during pregnancy because the hot stones stimulate blood circulation so much and could lead to possible pregnancy complications.
3. Lomi Lomi
Lomi Lomi is a massage technique from Hawaii. Lomi Lomi is the queen of massages, cleansing the body, mind, and soul.
The list is actually much, much longer and more extensive; every massage practice offers something different. There are also great offers for pregnant women.
Maybe you can even find a pregnancy massage nearby and try it out, as many practices offer this.
You’ll have the opportunity to get to know the massage therapist and look around to see if you like the place. The massage therapist will explain what’s on offer and the pregnancy massage process.
Pregnancy massage – effect?
A pregnancy massage works:
• relaxing and prepares you positively for childbirth
• you get to know your body and perceive it
• promotes a good body feeling
• you connect with your child
• relaxes your muscles
• your skin is supplied with blood
• balances your hormones
• promotes lymph flow
• promotes blood circulation
• increases your well-being
• increases your skin elasticity
When should you avoid a pregnancy massage?
If a massage isn’t good for you, you’ll quickly notice it on your own, but here are a few tips on when it’s actually not okay to let a massage therapist pamper your body and soul.
• for various viral diseases such as colds and fever
• if you have a fever
• if you suffer from skin rashes
• if you have inflammation or injuries
• if you suffer from diabetes
• premature labor
• Placental disorders
• various pregnancy complications
Although it is not listed here, it could also be that a certain massage is the cause of discomfort.
Then you should discuss this with your gynecologist or directly with the masseur.
Final thoughts
Dear Mom, I hope you now have a smile on your face because not everything is forbidden while you are pregnant.
Many things that we read and hear from our surroundings are entrenched myths that have fewer and fewer followers.
This isn’t rebellion, the thing is that there are simply more and more studies and research about how something affects people, especially pregnant women.
The bottom line is that you can still pamper yourself and enjoy your pregnancy. It’s also very important that you allow yourself time and rest during pregnancy.
Because the strength and energy you gather during pregnancy will definitely be needed during the birth and in the time afterward.
A pregnancy massage is sure to help you relax and recharge your batteries or simply escape from everyday life.
I hope you have fun trying out the different massage techniques and that you spend your pregnancy as gently and pleasantly as possible.
