Whether you are four weeks pregnant or in your third trimester, massage therapy is an ally to offer you a moment of relaxation of your own or to relieve your discomfort.
In the following lines, we will demystify the massage for pregnant women and we will discuss the course of this treatment according to the trimesters.
Do massage and pregnancy go hand in hand?
We reassure you right away, despite the divergence of information on the subject, it is safe for the majority of women to have a massage, throughout their pregnancy. Nevertheless, “there are contraindications to massage depending on the state of he alth of the pregnant woman: history of miscarriage, high-risk pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, etc. “At least, if everything goes normally, there is no problem. Make an appointment with confidence. If not, ask your doctor or midwife for advice before you start.
Choosing the Right Massage Therapist
For optimal care, we recommend that you call on a massage therapist who has taken a massage course for pregnant women in a teaching houserecognized and certified. Indeed, thanks to the lessons acquired during his training, the therapist knows the techniques and tips to carry out a treatment specially adapted to your condition. He will be able to provide the right gestures and suggest the best positions to ensure your comfort for the duration of the massage. However, we know that a first appointment in massage therapy can be somewhat worrying during a pregnancy. In order to prepare yourself well, you can call your therapist and ask all your questions to find out the techniques that will be used as well as the planned course of the massage.
1st, 2nd and 3rd quarters
Depending on each trimester, the massage therapist adapts and personalizes his treatment according to your needs. Some therapists use specialized cushions for the pregnant woman and others work with an adapted table. Depending on your condition, your massage therapist will adapt his techniques to respect the bodily changes due to the development of the fetus. During the first trimester, we recommend massage techniques focused on softness and relaxation. For the third trimester, both therapeutic and relaxation techniques can be used.
First Trimester
In the first months of pregnancy, the belly is less prominent. As a result, the massage usually takes place without specific accessories or equipment. If you are comfortable, the treatment can take place on your stomach, on a suitable table or not. If this positionbothers you, the massage can be done on the side or on the back. In addition, chair massage is also a great avenue to try out to allow your massage therapist to properly target your discomfort.
Second Trimester
The belly is round halfway, but still shy. The positions listed above are therefore always possible. At least you might be more comfortable lying on your back or on your side. However, every pregnancy is different. Discuss this openly with your therapist in order to add suitable cushions during the treatment or stick to the chair massage.
Third Quarter
The belly is almost at full expansion at the end of the course. The extra weight exerts pressure on the front of the body which can cause back pain and muscle discomfort. During the third trimester, the treatment is generally carried out on the stomach or on the side, using a table or suitable cushions, otherwise on a massage chair.
Finally, whether you opt for relaxing treatments at the start of pregnancy or therapeutic treatments at 35 weeks, remember to take care of your body and mind to live this adventure in peace.
