Getting a prenatal massage can be a struggle for a lot of reasons. Here are the details of my prenatal massage service, and considerations I make for your appointment. (remember to speak to your doctor before scheduling your prenatal massage anywhere you choose to go. They will know more about your medical history and can tell you if it is a safe option for you.) When you schedule a prenatal massage with me, please make sure you have seen your doctor at least once.
I do not use the preggo pillow. Side-Lying is safe for the baby and easier to get in and out of than the preggo pillow. If you're a ride or die preggo pillow person you'll have to go elsewhere because I don't have one. My table supports a working weight up to 750lbs and it inclines.
I use a body pillow, bolsters, rolled towels, and a standard size pillows. We'll get you super comfortable. And, hopefully baby will fall asleep.
Side-lying is also more gentle on people with breasts, or nipple sensitivity.
I will not ask you personal questions about your pregnancy, how you got pregnant, why, what you're having, if its yours, etc. If you want to tell me, great. If you don't want to tell me, great. Its your private information and I do not have a right to it.
I support Trans pregnancies! I think every person has the right to their body, and I do not believe that only women have pregnancies.
I do not do belly rubs. I know some pregnant people love them, but I actually recommend doing it yourself. Its a great way to schedule in some quiet time at home or work. Soft effleurage strokes feel great, and can be comforting to baby. Its a nice little ritual to perform. Some babies seem to hate it.
I do not do any stretching during a prenatal massage.
The room is free of scents, and I do not wear perfume or any body scents. Your sense of smell is amped up during pregnancy, I definitely want to make you as comfortable as possible, so its a no smell zone! (If you like scents, or have a special favorite that helps with nausea, bring it! We'll use it!)
You can cancel the session at any second. I understand pregnancy is always changing how you feel and that sometimes, massage is not in the cards. Let's reschedule! It'll be fine!
I will massage you during your first trimester! Warning: if you are experiencing morning sickness, bring a snack and a drink that you can keep down. Massage does not induce labor or cause miscarriages.
I will massage you to your due date! Come on in! As long as your doctor gives you approval, and you are feeling great enough for a massage, let's do it! (its not going to put you into labor though, sorry.)
If you have a loss of pregnancy, you should still schedule a prenatal massage for 4-6 weeks postpartum. I will not ask questions. I will not judge you. I just need to know how to best care for your healing body.
The benefits of prenatal massage are mostly the same as any Swedish massage. The results are temporary, but can really help with hip/shoulder pain and headaches.
Time for myths!
There is no scientific evidence that pressing on the ankles puts a parent to be into labor. That is acupressure pseudoscience. That being said, I will massage your feet/legs/ankles! (You can even receive very gentle upward strokes if you have pitting edema in the legs.)
Another big myth surrounding prenatal massage is that you cannot receive deep work. This is untrue. Because of the nature of side-lying, proper bolstering allows for deep work to the low back, glutes, FEET, and shoulders. (If you are in a preggo pillow, it is unwise to get deep work on the back/shoulders as it can press the baby into the table. If you are in your first 2 trimesters and you are not showing, you should still be side-lying for deep back work.) Friends, if you couldn't have pressure applied to your feet, why you walking around then?!?! You're putting over 100lbs of pressure on those puppies with each step. I'm not applying that much! Anyway, its just another myth.
Yes, I do massage during the first trimester. There is no evidence that massage causes miscarriage. Miscarriage is caused by many things, but massage is never listed as a reason. If you are concerned about miscarriage speak to your doctor first. They will direct you to your safest option.
Another BIG myth is that massage can put you into labor. This is not true. If it were true, hospitals would schedule massages for induction, not administer medications for it. A massage will not induce labor.
Massage therapists need to be certified in prenatal massage. This is another myth. A massage therapist needs to know contraindications for massaging a pregnant person, just like with other any other person pregnant or not.
Thank you for reading!
<3 Cheryl
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