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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Massage in early pregnancy - advice needed as DrGoogle has failed me!

15 replies

edwardcullensotherwoman · 10/09/2011 00:18

Dh and I are going away on Sunday for our anniversary, and have a massage and facial booked on Sunday afternoon at the hotel.

BUT, I think I'm pregnant. It's too early to test as I'm only 7DPO, but I feel "different" IYSWIM, as I did with DS. Also feeling really tired, nauseous and had some pokey feelings down low (all of which I had before, except the nausea).

Anyway, should I tell the masseur?
I've read that there are certain places which should be avoided as they stimulate the pelvic muscles, but I don't know how much that would affect me this early on Also, are there any oils that shouldn't be used?
I know it seems paranoid to worry when it's this early and not even confirmed, but I had a MC in April so want to reduce/avoid risks where possible. (Tbh I'm not sure what I'd say - be a bit embarrasing to say "I might be 2 weeks pregnant so please be careful"!)
TIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

planetpotty · 10/09/2011 00:24

If you tell then you may be pregnant they won't massage you.

The whole pint is for it to be relaxing and if your worrying you won't relax I say have a facial but get then to do your shoulders, neck and arms. Enjoy I'm v

Original poster

edwardcullensotherwoman · 10/09/2011 00:30

That's what I was afraid of I could really do with the back massage at the moment! I think I might email the hotel tomorrow and suggest what you've said, thanks

Thank you we did the same thing for our honeymoon last year, it was so nice we promised ourselves that every year we can afford, we will do it again

OP posts:

CollieandPup · 10/09/2011 04:51

I had mum to be massage for our anniversarry at 29wks. Your spa should offer these. Mine was a mix of back, belly, shoulder and legs but there was also one just on the back. It was blissful!! They only had 2, and one was 2nd. and 3rd trimester only, the other was all stages. Can't remember which was which though. Ring and speak to them I'm sure they'll have an option for you.

You should stay away from the sauna and steam room too unfortunately!!!

harassedandherbug · 10/09/2011 07:45

I'm a massage therapist.

You shouldn't be massaged at all before 12wks. It doesn't just effect the actual areas that are massaged, it effects the whole body. Also you don't know what essential oils are used in the massage oil. For instance I wouldn't want lavender. Yes it has relaxing properties, but also encourages menstrual bleeding.

Entirely up to you, but personally I wouldn't.

CollieandPup · 10/09/2011 08:07

I thought you were in HR? or is this an additional skill?

harassedandherbug · 10/09/2011 08:24

Additional skill! Also aromatherapy and reiki. Not hr,I'm in electrical engineering. Unfortunately it pays better than therapies!

VFVF · 10/09/2011 08:51

I had a girlie spa weekend a few weeks ago when I was about six weeks pregnant. They wouldn't massage me, said (as Harrased has said) they should never do it before 12 weeks. A bit awkward explaining to the other women why I wasn't having my massage as I didn't want to share my news just yet

Why not have a lovely manicure instead?

Sleepwhenidie · 10/09/2011 09:01

Facials are often more relaxing than a massage anyway?

pregnantmimi · 10/09/2011 11:13

I do massage full time and yes early pregnancy before 12 weeks is a no no the therapist will be too nervous to do it cause of the higher risk of miscarrage in the first trimester. Also thou pregnancy alot of massage therapists wont cause they are scared if anything happens you will come back to them about it rather than there being a massive risk(apart from some essential oils need to be avoided). Im booked in for a mums to be next month Im 25 weeks. Tryed to have a massage yesterday its bit uncomfortable at this stage on tummy. Pedicures are great to have or manicures.

Original poster

edwardcullensotherwoman · 10/09/2011 14:34

Thanks for the advice everyone. (Part of me was hoping someone would miraculaously say it would be fine

I'm going to ring this afternoon to discuss it with them; hope they can change to a manicure at such short notice! (It was a package deal where everything was booked and paid for through an agent.)

OP posts:

planetpotty · 10/09/2011 14:36

VFVF this is what happened to me think I was about ten wks it was my surprise 30th celebration everyone was a little confused why DH had said he thought I would prefer this to a night out but still didn't twig (normal circumstances my 30th would have been a messy night out)

I toddled off for my massage (after just having facial) and had to rejoin my friends then they were trying to ply me with champers and sneaky social smoking ( in the health spa) and I cracked and told them as i knew they were getting worried/frustrated with my straight lacedness and wondering where the party animal friend had gone! Was all of my very close friends so swore them to secrecy but was quite strange being outed as pg before I was ready and a complete nightmare friends knowing before family.

Was a great day though and I watched everyone else get sozzled in my honour (one other was pg so not left out).
I did go in the jacuzzi though which since have found out you're not meant to.

Original poster

edwardcullensotherwoman · 10/09/2011 15:13

Well I just rang the hotel, the woman was lovely and said if I don't want the massage tomorrow that's fine, they can do something else instead. She is going to note on the therapist's list that I think I might be pregnant, and she said I can still have a massage but I won't have it laying down (can sit on the edge of the bed with a pillow instead), and they use different oils as some are dangerous in pg (as harrased pointed out). She said the therapist will go through everything with me anyway, and if I'm really not comfortable having it they'll just do a manicure or something instead. Tbh though I really need a backrub, so I'll go with the sitting up one I think

Did you get your massage then planetpotty ? Or did they offer an alternative?

OP posts:

planetpotty · 10/09/2011 17:49

I still have £50 outstanding to use there as I didn't have the treatment and didn't want to have another facial 30 mins after the first (lovely friends had all chipped in and paid) must go and use it up.....espec as I'm starting to have time to actually notice and care (a tiny bit) that I may have let myself go a little

Sophie65 · 28/11/2011 14:50

As a pregnancy massage therapist I can tell you that, if they have done an intensive pregnancy massage qualification the therapist will be able to massage from day 1. It can really help with morning sickness, etc but people are put off doing it too soon for their own insurance. (Only certain things should be done in the first 12 weeks).

oltob · 28/11/2011 15:35

I had a spa day booked at 6 wks, it was ayuredic (sp?) I told them I was pregnant and they changed the oils to special pregnancy ones. I still had a lovely massage though, maybe not as intensive as the first time but wonderful all the same. I hadn't realised there was any risk though.

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