Is it good to get a massage during pregnancy? Let's talk about (Pregnancy Massage)

The discomforts you feel during pregnancy, back pain , swollen legs... these are probably very familiar to you. So, you may also wish you could have gotten a good massage at a time like this, right? Many people think that massage is just a luxury. But in fact, massage during pregnancy can be very beneficial for your body as well as your mind. Let's find out more about this.

What is Pregnancy Massage?

Simply put, this is a massage that is done during pregnancy (prenatal) and after childbirth (postnatal), and is special for those times. It is very different from a regular massage.

A pregnancy massage usually lasts about an hour. Some trained therapists use a specially designed pregnancy massage table. This table has a special area for your belly to rest on. Others use special pillows (`bolsters`) and turn you on your side to give you a very comfortable massage. It is especially comfortable to lie on your side when your belly is growing towards the end of pregnancy.

What are the benefits of a pregnancy massage?

Although there is still a lack of large-scale research on this, the small studies that have been done have shown very good results . Imagine how great it would be to get benefits like these:

With all this, your mood will improve a lot.

Why is it important to be safe during pregnancy?

Your body goes through big changes during pregnancy. For example, your blood volume increases by about 50%. This can sometimes slow down blood flow to your legs. Your body also naturally produces more clotting factors to help stop excessive bleeding during childbirth.

For these reasons, a pregnant mother is at risk of developing blood clots in her legs, especially in the calves and inner thighs .

Here's the most important thing:

It's never a good idea to massage your legs too hard. If you massage them too hard, a blood clot like that can break loose and travel to your heart or lungs, which can be very dangerous.

So, someone who is well-trained in pregnancy massage knows these things very well. They never apply hard pressure to the legs. They do a very gentle, slow massage.

Also, if you do a belly massage , do it very gently. Many therapists avoid belly massage altogether.

Is a pregnancy massage really safe?

This is a question that many people have. Some doctors are hesitant to recommend pregnancy massage. The reason for this is that there is a great deal of variation in training and qualifications in this field.

Another controversial issue is whether it is safe to get a massage during the first trimester of pregnancy .

Many massage therapists don't do massage during the first trimester. The reason for this is the risk of miscarriage. Now you might be wondering if massage will cause miscarriage. No, it's not like that.

Therefore, the most important thing is to talk to your doctor before doing anything.

When should you avoid having a pregnancy massage?

Pregnancy massage is not suitable for everyone. If you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely consult your doctor before getting a massage. You may be advised to avoid massage altogether.

• If you have severe morning sickness, such as nausea and vomiting.
• If your doctor has told you that you have a high risk of miscarriage .
• If your pregnancy is high-risk, for example, if there is a risk of placental abruption or preterm labor .

The massage therapist may also ask you for written permission from your doctor.

How do you choose a massage therapist?

This is also an important question. Be sure to choose someone who has specific training and experience in pregnancy massage. You can ask your doctor or midwife if they have a qualified practitioner they recommend. Before your first appointment, ask about their training and experience.