Is massage ok during pregnancy?

If you’re expecting a baby, congratulations! Or condolences – depending on how much you like sleep. As your body prepares to nourish and grow another human being for nine months, it’s natural to have concerns about what is and isn’t safe during pregnancy.

One question many pregnant women ask is: can I get a massage while I’m carrying this tiny parasite? Er, we mean miracle of life. Well, hold onto your avocado toast because we’ve got the answers right here.

Benefits of massage during pregnancy

First things first. Why would You want to coax out some cash hand drip brew from your spouse or partner for your prenatal massages? There are actually several benefits:

  1. Alleviates muscle tension and pain – Growing a human inside you can wreak havoc on your muscles as they stretch and strain in ways they’re not accustomed to.
  2. Improves circulation – This helps reduce swelling (edema) due to increased blood flow throughout the body.
  3. Reduces stress and anxiety- Because who HASN’T felt anxious about bringing ANOTHER HUMAN LIFE INTO THE WORLD?
  4. Helps regulate hormone levels – Those wonderful happy hormones that make us “feel good” also facilitate our physical wellbeing when present at optimal levels!
    5.Soothes/calms nerves by way of an overworked nervous system – Need one say more?

Risks associated with prenatal massage

Before booking any spa treatment , does any level-headed cautious person blindly throw themselves into a therapy without knowing if there could be risks involved?! Of course not! Being aware of possible negative side effects provides added peace-of-mind no matter what service rendered whether relaxation-inducing or medically vital treatments.

The following situations may warrant avoiding massages altogether:

  • High-risk pregnancy – If you have gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, placenta previa or abruptio placentae (that sounds scientific!), hehe, it is best to talk with your provider about massage.
  • Spot specific pain – If you have sharp undescribed or sudden severe pains that my occur day-to-day then check in with an appropriate medical professional before a therapeutic session. A prenatal masseuse may also require written permission from your obstetrician.
  • Blood clots- History of DVT could disqualify someone from bodywork. Consult with a physician if tested positive for factor V Leiden or other clotting disorders.

Apart from these possible complications, QUIT THE WORRYING! Prenatal massages are generally safe, and any qualified massage therapist trained in prenatal massage will know what techniques to use – and avoid – to keep both you and baby safe

When should I wait before booking a session?

It’s recommended that woman refrain, chuckle (not really because sex puns never get old) from treatments during the first trimester (12 weeks), since miscarriages can occur within this timeframe due to still developing fetus-forming organs. From there on out pregnancy hormones continue rampaging our physical entities so by all means book away!

Every pregnancy is unique so whether extra caution or procedure routine is needed depends largely upon checking basics such as blood pressure and weight gain progress prior each treatment. Massages themselves are not only therapeutic but pleasing too!

And even though retaining water has its perks like avoiding desert island type dehydration situations where cactus juice becomes the go-to H2O replacement therapy; sometimes too much fluid accumulation triggers undesirable sides effect such as: increased blood pressure or herniated belly button(OMG humiliating). But alas dry brushing sessions coupled together decreasing consumption of sodium encircled treats promote removal of excess fluids thus curbing edema making posing for maternity photoshoots much more fun (without puffy ankles everywhere)!

What types of massage are safe?

As previously mentioned, trained prenatal massage therapists know precisely how to work with your changing pregnant body. That said, a few popular types of massages that are safe during pregnancy include:

  • Swedish massage – A gentle form of full-body massage designed to relax muscles and promote circulation.
  • Esalen®- A nurturing flowing type of therapy often called “body meditation”
  • Shiatsu – Therapy where pressure is applied along various acupuncture meridians (energy lines)
  • Reflexology – Foot-focused therapy targeting specific acupoints Howdy partners! Some say this may stimulate labor so tread cautiously… unless you’re one whom has lived the life of an elephant for the latter months then . JUST JOKING PLEASE REFRAIN FROM STOMPING ON EVERYTHING WITH YOUR GIANT FOOT PHALANGES.

No matter what type of massage you choose, simply make sure the therapist is certified in prenatal massage techniques.

Takeaways

So there you have it folks: long noses make sorrows smaller; So do be well aware possible risks associated with getting a rub-down as an expectant mother but laughter heals!! Overall benefits outweigh these concerns especially once cleared by your physician.

Your comfort will also depend on finding the right masseuse who suits your needs—think small talk chitchat versus providing instructions at top volume. And don’t forget to communicate with them when lying stationary in peaceful repose face down oddly on a contorted looking pillow massaging technology or pillows built specifically for expecting people you’ll surely discover infinite ways fight off pre-partum insomnia!

Now book away!

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