massage and pregnancy

[melliek]

Is it safe to visit the massage therapist when you are preg?? Especially early on?

I know some places do special massages for women who are pregnant. Call the place and ask maybe? I've even seen special tables with a hole cut out for the bumps!

I did. I had one early on - I told my masseur and she said it was fine, but there were certain oils she couldn't use. A friend of mine was training at the time, so once bump was big she did me to try and work out the logistics of it - and she also sent me off to the Retreat in Putney because they have special beds with belly holes in them.

Friend's massage was fab - first one side and then the other, got a bizarre "before and after" effect at half time when I turned over!

Massage at the Retreat was rubbish. Didn't think much of the service there, but the biggest drawback was the fact that it wasn't until I lay on my front with my belly through the hole that I discovered that my boobs were no longer in a fit state for lying on!

I went every week and it was fab. No hole in the table but she got me comfy with lots of pillows and concentrated on those swollen ankles, hands and face as well as my sore back and achy hip. Brilliant, but the effect wore off within an hour of dragging my bump around again. She used plain oil, no essential oils. I know that she travelled out to the local villages to do sessions for ante-natal groups. Maybe there's something like that in your area?

I am a massage therapsit and it is perfectly safe to visit one while you are pg. I am pg my self and visit my therapsit for both massage and reflexology treatments. If you are pregnant during the first trimester, it is not recommended as the fetus is vunerable. After twelve weeks it is fine, they may avoid using certain aromatherapy oils and will probably use plain almond oil or grapeseed oil. It is so beneficial for you and baby after 12 weeks, it helps you to relax, easing muscular pain and tension. If they are a fully qualified therapist they will do a consultation with you first before massaging you and if they don't get out do not let them go ahead with the treatment. Try it, it's great!!

I had a massage once a week from before I even knew I was pg with my no1. As soon as I knew I told the masseur, even tho I wasn't telling anyone at that stage, and she made sure to use oils, positions and techniques that were suitable. It was super, almost the best-spent money of my pregancy, and I wish I could have done the same during my 2nd pregnancy. If you're in London try the London School of Massage - I can Honestly say that I have never had a poor massage from anyone trained there.

Some therapists will massage you early in pregnancy but on all my courses, aromatherapy, reflexology and normal massage we were told not to treat before 12 weeks. The problem is with aromatherapy that there is a lot of controversy over which oils are safe even later on in pregnancy but if you are having a plaoin massage and over 12 weeks dont worry but obviously make sure your therapist knows you are pregnant.

Yes, its def. safe and also promotes wellbeing for you and your baby - I had remedial massage therapy up until late on and just made sure I never laid on my stomach - the therapist did each side at a tiem and neck and shoulders, legs etc it was great - really helped. If anyone is in the Liverpool area I can recommend one that is very reasonable, and will visit you in your home if your are pg or new mum, and is brilliant. Also some hospital maternity units employ aromatherapy midwives who will advise on techniques dueing labour and birth.