Being pregnant is one of life’s beautiful milestones. While it certainly makes you more tired than usual, the sight of your newborn baby will magically make every feeling of exhaustion disappear. As you go through a  lengthy period of pregnancy, you may feel stressed or anxious due to hormonal imbalances. 

As taking medications is often off the table, there are other ways you can relieve pain and tension. Pregnancy massage has numerous benefits, such as improving sleep, alleviating cramps, and boosting the overall mood. But that begs the question: is pregnancy massage safe?

What is Pregnancy Massage?

This is an umbrella term for massage taken during and after pregnancy. It is a hands-on massage done by a licensed professional, as not every massage specialist is competent in this delicate field. It typically has two types:

1. Prenatal Massage

Even though every pregnancy is exceptional, they all share the discomfort as the baby grows. Prenatal massage that occurs during pregnancy does have numerous perks, such as reducing swelling, relaxing the muscles, and relieving stress and joint pain. It will also reduce nausea and heartburn. Most importantly, it alleviates nerve pain and facilitates delivery.

2. Postpartum Massage

Postpartum massage greatly helps women to improve their bodies by relieving stretch marks and regaining good posture. Additionally, mood swings can be expected after delivery, so massages help new moms to relax their minds and deal with this calmly. It also eases the headaches and fatigue experienced during the first couple of months after delivery and breastfeeding. Postpartum massage will be here for any new mom who experiences baby blues or depression.

What are the Guidelines?

As stated before this is a delicate type of massage, so it has to be performed with utmost care. The duration should not exceed half an hour in order not to exhaust the mom. Avoiding strong-scented lotions or creams while doing a massage during pregnancy is advised because pregnant women can be highly sensitive to chemicals or strong odors. Massage therapists should be attentive if there is any visible discomfort experienced during the session. Therapists also should be very gentle when massaging the medial thigh, as there is a high chance of clotted blood vessels in that area.

When to Avoid Pregnancy Massage?

Pregnancy massage is good for the body, but there are times that it must be avoided. Health experts recommend not having pregnancy massages until after the first trimester as some women may experience a miscarriage. If you experience morning sickness, then perhaps it is wise to cancel the massage appointment. You should always get clearance from your doctor before starting massage therapy.

Growing life inside your body is not easy, but it should not always be painful. You still deserve to pamper yourself with the best care. Pregnancy massages are a good idea to help get through the daily discomfort. As long as proper precautions are taken, you can enjoy lying down and relaxing. This will help keep your physical and mental health in good shape. With the guide provided here, you can learn more about pregnancy massages and decide the suitable time to book an appointment.