What is pregnancy massage?
Pregnancy massage is popular amongst pregnant women as it can reduce anxiety and ease pain. The primary goal of a pregnancy massage is to improve the health & well-being of pregnant women. To do this safely and efficiently there are a few questions you should ask prior to your pregnancy massage. It’s always best to speak to your doctor before starting any treatment or therapy during pregnancy. Even with the go-ahead from your GP we have put together a list of questions you should ask any massage therapist before a pregnancy massage, not just us here at Olive Massage. A responsible pregnancy massage therapist will make sure you know the answer to all these questions prior to starting the treatment, and they will have great communication with you to ensure your safety throughout.
Are you fully trained and qualified in pregnancy massage?
Asking whether your therapist is fully qualified may seem like an obvious one, but you would be surprised at how many people don’t ask. Many professionals have their qualifications on their website or certificates hung up on the clinic walls. Don’t be scared to ask your massage therapist for proof of expertise. Even with a license and credentials, it’s always worth asking your therapist how much experience they have in pregnancy massage. A massage therapist that specialises in deep tissue massage and has little to no experience in pregnancy massage, is probably not going to be the best or safest option for your pregnancy massage.
What stage of my pregnancy can I start massage therapy?
It is always up to the individual and their GP to decide when they are safest to begin pregnancy massage therapy. Here at Olive Massage your safety is our main priority. Our specialist pregnancy massage therapists will only begin treatment from 12 to 42 weeks of pregnancy. Waiting until after the first trimester is always the safest option.
What position will I be laid in?
During a pregnancy massage, the most common position to be in during your 2nd and 3rd trimester is laid on your side. The main reason for this preference of side-laying, is because it allows the massage therapist easy access to the body parts they aim to work on. It relieves lower back pain and it also gives a nice sense of mother and baby connection. However, everybody is different and feels comfortable in different ways. Therefore, there are a few options to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Alternatives include being in a seated position, supine with pillow under right hip (only up to 22 weeks) and semi reclining, no supine (after 22 weeks).
Will I be safe?
If you are in your 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy, feel well and healthy before your appointment, and aren’t at a high risk of pregnancy complications. Then there’s no need to avoid having a pregnancy massage. To keep yourself safe, look for an experienced, licensed, and fully qualified pregnancy massage specialist. Here at Olive Massage, you’re in the best hands. Our pregnancy massage specialists have years and years of experience. We ensure that all our clients are safe and relaxed and will go through a full checklist with you at the time of booking.
You can fill out a consultation form if you’re interested in booking a pregnancy massage with us and don’t forget to follow us on social media and share our blog.