Prenatal Massage And Its Benefits

Introduction 

Pregnancy massage is the use of massage therapy during pregnancy. This practice is known to support the well-being of mother and child through various massage techniques, including Swedish, deep tissue, and many other oriental therapies which can be applied not only during pregnancy but can also support the mother’s well-being through labour and postpartum.¹ 

These massages are catered to the needs of pregnant women and are characterised by gentle touches and light pressure.² The art and practice of pregnancy massage come from a rich history and culture, becoming a timeless practice that supports future mothers globally. 

Origins and understanding of pregnancy massage

Pregnancy massage is an art that is thought to have been passed down through generations in various cultures, including African, Indian, Asian, Caribbean and many others. 

These techniques have been found to date back over 3000 years ago to the invention of massage itself, but only recently have studies highlighted the benefits of this practice in Western countries. Modernized versions of these messages include different techniques, with the Swedish message being the most popular.³ 

So, let’s discover the different techniques used during pregnancy massage. 

Massage techniques

Swedish massage 

As we said previously, Swedish massage is the most popular technique used during pregnancy, but why is it so popular? 

Let’s start by highlighting its uses. Swedish massage is used to relax muscle tension, improving blood flow as well as lymphatic circulation throughout the body, by applying light pressure on the body muscles. Swedish massage is the most recommended during pregnancy because of its ability to address the many needs, pains and discomforts of pregnancy.⁴ 

Deep Tissue 

The Deep tissue massage uses firm strokes by pressing into muscles. This is not the most indicated massage technique during pregnancy due to the risk of blood clots but it can be done with appropriate measures. 

Shiatsu 

The shiatsu technique uses acupressure points by tapping and pressing to stimulate the natural body's energy (also called qi).³ 

Reflexology 

Reflexology is a relaxing therapeutic massage aimed at preventing and alleviating pregnancy discomforts. 

Safety considerations and precautions 

As we’ve seen, pregnancy massages can bring so many benefits but there are still a few risks that can involve these massages. 

Let’s examine a few risks: 

Pressure points

Massage therapists show not to exercise excessive pressure on the abdomen and legs, in areas around your ankles and toes as applying pressure can increase blood flow and cause bigger issues in women with blood clots. 

Massages on the abdomen can also cause placental or uterine rupture, which can lead to more serious complications.⁵ Blood clots, varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis can worsen if pressure is applied in those areas, leading to complications such as labour and preeclampsia.² 

Trimesters and timings 

Doctors recommend waiting until at least the 12th week of pregnancy to get a massage, as the first trimester carries a high risk of miscarriage. Postponing or limiting messages during this period is very important. 

Going into the second trimester, massages can happen with a frequency of once every two weeks, and increasing this frequency to once per week into the third trimester 

Positions 

The best position for women during pregnancy can be a side-lying position. Positions that apply pressure to the abdomen or cause the same to dangle might cause discomfort and should be avoided if possible. 

Supine positions should also be avoided to prevent the vena cava syndrome.^4,5 

Essential oils 

Essential oils can provide various benefits; however, some may also be capable of inducing contractions. In this case, aromatherapy should be avoided during pregnancy. 

Massages with lower concentrations of essential oils (2%) can also be applied, as they do not lead to significant side effects, and during birth, essential oils can provide relaxation and pain relief through inhalation and massage.⁵ 

These therapies should be modified according to an individual’s health conditions, and therapists should be trained appropriately and work with midwives and doctors. Women with vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain or diarrhoea should avoid messages.¹   

Benefits of pregnancy massage 

Physical benefits 

Prenatal massages are a therapeutic procedure with numerous benefits. Research shows that massages during pregnancy can:^2,4 

• Reduce depression 
• Provide relaxation (improving sleep) 
• Reduce pain 
• Reduce insomnia 
• Improve newborn health and labour outcomes 
• Reduce anxiety and stress (cortisol, which is a hormone associated with stress is reduced) 
• Reduce muscle, joint pain and labour pain 
• Hormone regulation (improved cardiovascular health) 

Relevant benefits, according to research

Studies supporting these benefits showed that massage therapy can decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, and increase blood flow in the brain. 

While research has shown that women with depression tend to give birth prematurely and have newborns with lower birth weights, studies show that massage therapy can help by reducing prenatal complications in women with depression. Prematurity rates are reduced by 75% and low birth rates are reduced by 80%. 

This treatment shows benefits for postpartum depression, anxiety and back pain. After birth, newborns perform better in their neonatal tests and bonding between mother and child is improved. Numerous studies showed a lower overall complication rate during pregnancy and birth, excluding women with pre-existing complications (for example, placenta previa, premature labour, blood clots or diabetes).^5,6 

Choosing a qualified practitioner 

So, now we know pregnancy messages carry enormous benefits which can help mother and child throughout pregnancy, birth and postpregnancy, who is most qualified to give this type of therapeutic massage? 

The answer is a licenced massage therapist. Therapists in spas are usually medically licenced. 

Certification and training 

Massage therapists are certified professionals who receive training. These therapists can address the needs, know which positions best suit pregnant women to reduce stress on their uterus and know alarm signals for blood clots and varicose veins.⁴ 

Summary

Prenatal massage is a great therapeutic practice that can support mother and child during the gestational process, by reducing stress and pain and improving circulation, among its other benefits. 

This therapy has a long history and culture and can provide numerous benefits. By using different techniques, such as Swedish massage or shiatsu massage, therapists can help pregnant women find the best-suited therapy for their needs and preferences. 

While the benefits are numerous, it is important to be safe, take precautions and keep yourself informed when getting massages during pregnancy. With the cooperation of your certified massage therapist and doctor, you can trust and enjoy the many benefits offered by prenatal messages. 

References

1. Ovando-Martínez M, González-Aguilar GA. Chapter 31 - Papaya. In: Jaiswal AK, curatore. Nutritional Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fruits and Vegetables [Internet]. Academic Press; 2020 [cited 15 January 2024]. p. 499–513. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128127803000313 
2. Cleveland Clinic [Internet]. [cited 29 January 2024]. Should you get a massage while pregnant? Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/prenatal-massage 
3. Pregnancy massage | encyclopedia. Com [Internet]. [cited 29 January 2024]. Available at: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/pregnancy-massage 
4. American Pregnancy Association. 2018 [cited 29 January 2024]. Prenatal massage therapy. Available at: https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/prenatal-massage/ 
5. Field T. Pregnancy and labor massage. Expert Rev Obstet Gynecol [Internet]. marzo 2010 [cited 29 January 2024];5(2):177–81. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2870995/ 
6. Soothe [Internet]. What Is Prenatal Massage. Available at: https://www.soothe.com/articles/what-is-prenatal-massage/ 
7. Mueller SM, Grunwald M. Effects, side effects and contraindications of relaxation massage during pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. J Clin Med [Internet]. 6 august 2021 [cited 29 January];10(16):3485. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8396946/ 

References

This content is purely informational and isn’t medical guidance. It shouldn’t replace professional medical counsel. Always consult your physician regarding treatment risks and benefits. See our editorial standards for more details.

Twitter Facebook Email Linkedin WhatsApp

Get our health newsletter

Get daily health and wellness advice from our medical team.

Email

Your privacy is important to us. Any information you provide to this website may be placed by us on our servers. If you do not agree do not provide the information.

Mfon Ekanem

Bachelor of Science in Human biology and Infectious Diseases – Bsc(Hons), University of Salford, United Kingdom

Mfon is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology and Infectious Diseases, with a comprehensive understanding of genetics and physiology. With a profound passion for both medicine and writing, Mfon is dedicated to delivering engaging and accurate content tailored for both general audiences and enthusiasts of the medical field alike.

Throughout her academic journey, Mfon has gained knowledge of the human body, focusing particularly on the mechanisms of infectious diseases and their impact on human health. She has developed a keen insight into the complex interplay between pathogens and host organisms, as well as the body's defence mechanisms against diseases.

Other posts by the same contributor Linkedin profile page

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name

Email

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.