Nurture Yourself and Your Baby
Make Massage Therapy a Part of Your Regular Prenatal Care Routine and Enjoy Your Pregnancy
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"Heidi is AMAZING! I have seen her for both pregnancies and she has provided such relief of pain while offering care and kindness as well. She is by far the best person to get any massage from, but particularly prenatal massages. For birthday and Christmas gifts I always ask for a gift card to Heidi Ella Massage! very happy and much less sore "~Shannon Evans~
Pregnancy is a unique and amazing time in a women's life, filled with excitement, joy and wonder, but with it can also come many challenges and discomforts. The aches and pains that develop as the body is undergoing such an incredible transformation coupled with the emotional highs and lows can prevent many women from being able to fully enjoy the journey.
By incorporating massage therapy into your prenatal care routine, you can reduce the stress that is placed on your joints and muscles and be better equipped to handle the emotional ups and downs. Often women seek out a massage towards the end of the pregnancy as the lower back and sciatic nerve become more stressed. Although this is a wonderful alternative to taking medication and will provide relief, many discomforts can be minimized or avoided by starting a self care routine early on in the pregnancy, usually around 3 months.
By incorporating massage therapy into your prenatal care routine, you can reduce the stress that is placed on your joints and muscles and be better equipped to handle the emotional ups and downs. Often women seek out a massage towards the end of the pregnancy as the lower back and sciatic nerve become more stressed. Although this is a wonderful alternative to taking medication and will provide relief, many discomforts can be minimized or avoided by starting a self care routine early on in the pregnancy, usually around 3 months.
Experience the ultimate in comfort during your massage with our unique table that allows the mother-to-be to fully relax and safely enjoy lying face down during the massage, usually throughout the entire pregnancy. With the unique and adjustable support sling, the round ligaments in the pelvis are supported, alleviating pressure. Once your back and legs are massaged and you turn over, you will have a wedge placed under your back that will support you at a 45 degree angle so that pressure on blood vessels is avoided.
How frequently should I get a prenatal massage?
Receiving a monthly massage throughout the second trimester is a good practice. During the last trimester more frequent sessions are generally needed as the stress load on the body is increased. This can vary from woman to woman, but weekly massages during the final month or two is a great way to minimize lower back pain, reduce swelling and prepare the body for delivery.
Do I need a doctor's approval before getting a massage?
While a written letter is not necessary in order to receive a prenatal massage, it is a good idea to discuss it with your doctor or midwife to make sure there are no concerns or contraindications for you to receive massage.
What are the contraindications for prenatal massage?
Although massage during pregnancy is generally a safe practice and healthy alternative to taking medication, there are some conditions where massage should be avoided. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms/conditions a doctors consent must first be obtained and your therapist must be notified. When in doubt, ask your doctor first.
- Your at high risk for miscarriage
- You have a high risk pregnancy (such as placental abruption or preterm labor)
- Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
- Experiencing cramping, bleeding or abdominal pain
- Pre-eclampsia
- Gestational diabetes
- Carrying multiples
- High blood pressure