Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsBenefitsRisksModificationsChoosing a TherapistOther TipsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Benefits
Risks
Modifications
Choosing a Therapist
Other Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several reasons you might consider having a pregnancy massage (also called a prenatal massage). Pregnancy changes your body and mind, bringing about a wide range of emotions and aches and pains in places that never hurt before.
A prenatal massage may help alleviate some of the discomforts of pregnancy while providing a sense of relaxation—but is it safe? In general, the answer is yes. However, there are some important things you should know before you schedule a session.
First, you will need to ask your doctor if it would be safe for you to have a prenatal massage, as there are some people who should not have massages while they are pregnant.Once you get your doctor’s OK, you’ll need to find a massage therapist who has the training and certification necessary to do pregnancy massage.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is a Pregnancy Massage?
Massage therapy is a natural modality for improving the function of the body, reducing pain, and lowering stress.Prenatal massageis a type of massage therapy that is specifically for pregnant people.
Type of Bodywork Used
The unique needs of each pregnant person will determine the type of bodywork that is used during a pregnancy massage. These needs—which can be hormonal, emotional, and physical—will change throughout the pregnancy.
In general, there are many types of massage therapy. Examples includeshiatsu massage,deep tissue massage,sports massage, and Swedish massage.
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A prenatal massage primarily makes use of the gentle Swedish massage techniques, which provide muscle relaxation to the entire body. The techniques include various types of strokes and movements that are used, which include:
A pregnancy massage will also cater to the unique needs of a person who is pregnant. Special care is taken to position the person’s body using bolstering (or propping) to accommodate the physical changes that occur during pregnancy (such as the growing belly).
This can include certain body positions, depending on how far along the pregnancy is. For example, side-lying positions are normally used during the second and third trimesters. Lying on the left side is safest for pregnant people, allowing optimal cardiac function and fetal oxygenation.
A prenatal massage usually lasts around 50 to 60 minutes.
Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
Swedish massage can help improve a person’s general body tone, increase blood flow andlymph circulation, improve the function of the joints and muscles, and alleviate physical and mental fatigue.
Additional benefits of prenatal massage include:
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Research
Studies have shown that pregnant people with depression have a higher incidence of giving birth to premature and low birth weight babies.
In a 2010 study, a group of pregnant people were assigned to receive once- or twice-weekly 20-minute sessions of pregnancy massage therapy for 5, 12, or 16 weeks.Compared to the control group (who did not participate in massage), the people who received pregnancy massage had:
Other benefits of pregnancy massage that were reported in the study include:
Risk Factors
Some healthcare providers and expectant mothers are reluctant to pursue prenatal massage out of concerns that it may cause pregnancy complications orpremature labor.
To date, any evidence of these concerns is lacking. A 2021 review of studies published in theJournal of Clinical Medicineconcluded that healthy people with uncomplicated pregnancies can safely receive massages during the entire course of their pregnancies.
Furthermore, there is no evidence that stimulating certainacupressure pointsorreflexology pointsduring pregnancy will induce labor.
With that said, certain precautions should be taken to avoid rare but potentially severe complications that can occur with prenatal massage.
Vena Cava Syndrome
Vena cave syndromeis a condition in which blood flow through theinferior vena cava—which delivers blood from the legs and abdomen to the heart—is slowed. This can happen in people with pregnancy when they are laid flat on their backs, particularly during the third trimester.
To avoid this, massages should be performed during late pregnancy in a lateral position with the person lying on their side. Sitting positions are also possible.
Placental Rupture
Abdominal massages are generally avoided as there is a potential for placental or uterine rupture that may cause pregnancy loss and even maternal death.This is especially true in people diagnosed withplacental previa, a rare condition in which the placenta is attached low in the uterus.
The American Massage Therapy Association advises therapists to postpone massage in people with any placental abnormalities, includingplacental accretaorplacental abruption, until the treating obstetrician gives their permission.
Pre-Eclampsia
The American Massage Therapy Association advises therapists to obtain permission from the treating obstetrician before delivering massage to individuals withhigh-risk pregnancies, such as those with pre-eclampsia.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Pregnant females are five times more likely to developdeep vein thrombosis (DVT)than non-pregnant females. This is a potentially serious condition in which blood clots form in deep veins, typically in the legs.
While superficiallymphatic drainageand gentle stroking to alleviate edema are safe, deep tissue massages of the legs should be avoided as this can dislodge a clot and lead to a potentially life-threateningpulmonary embolism.
This is especially true if there arevaricose veinsand swelling in the legs, both of which are possible signs of DVT.
People with prolonged immobility are at especially high risk of DVT. It is worth noting that prolonged bed rest is sometimes advised during late pregnancy due to complications like pre-eclampsia or placental previa or abruption.
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Modifications for Pregnancy
While prenatal massage is designed for people who are pregnant, the pregnancy experience is not the same for everyone. Each person will have their own set of symptoms that need to be taken into consideration, and modifications can be made to ensure the massage is safe and enjoyable. Some examples include:
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How to Choose a Prenatal Massage Therapist
After you get your doctor’s approval, you can begin researching massage therapists that are qualified to do prenatal massage.
To ensure you have a safe and helpful experience, make sure that a potential therapist:
Tips for Pregnancy Massage
When you’ve gotten your doctor’s OK and you’ve found a qualified therapist, there are some steps you can take to ensure you have a positive prenatal massage experience.
Summary
While there are many types of massage, pregnancy massage most often uses Swedish massage techniques to provide muscle relaxation to the entire body.
A Word From Verywell
A prenatal massage can be a way to soothe your body and mind throughout your pregnancy, but you need to check with your doctor before scheduling a session. There are some conditions and situations that would make it unsafe to have a massage while you’re pregnant.
Once you get your doctor’s approval, look for a massage therapist who is trained and certified in prenatal massage. Before making an appointment, call your insurance company to find out what it might cover.
Can my partner give me a pregnancy massage?
Where can I get a pregnancy massage?
If you want to try a pregnancy massage, you need to find a certified prenatal massage therapist.
These certified professionals have additional training beyond the standard education for a licensed massage therapist. They are trained to look for signs of pregnancy complications (such as deep vein thrombosis or varicose veins), how to position a pregnant person to prevent injuries (such as strain to theuterine ligaments, and how to address other specific needs during pregnancy.
Who should not get a pregnancy massage?
There are many scenarios in which a person should not get a pregnancy massage. Some of the most common include:
How much does a pregnancy massage cost?
The cost of a pregnancy massage varies depending on different factors, such as your geographical location and the type of facility offering massages.
The average cost for a 30- to 60-minute massage is $60 to $100 but can be more.
Insurance usually will not cover a pregnancy massage. Some may offer discounts or cover part of the cost. Some plans may cover massage under chiropractic care.
Check with your insurance provider before scheduling your massage.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Patel, S.Is massage safe during pregnancy?UT Southwestern Medical Center.American Massage Therapy Association.Benefits of massage during pregnancy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.Gholami-Motlagh F, Jouzi M, Soleymani B.Comparing the effects of two Swedish massage techniques on the vital signs and anxiety of healthy women.Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res. 2016;21(4):402. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.185584Salamon M.Massage and pregnancy: A powerful combination. American Massage Therapy Association.Supa’at I, Zakaria Z, Maskon O, Aminuddin A, Nordin NAMM.Effects of Swedish massage therapy on blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammatory markers in hypertensive women.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:1-8. doi:10.1155/2013/171852Mueller SM, Grunwald M.Effects, side effects and contraindications of relaxation massage during pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.JCM. 2021;10(16):3485. doi:10.3390/jcm10163485Dunkel Schetter C, Tanner L.Anxiety, depression and stress in pregnancy: Implications for mothers, children, research, and practice.Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2012;25(2):141-148. doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e3283503680Field T.Pregnancy and labor massage.Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology.2010;5(2):177-181.doi:10.1586/eog.10.12Torkzahrani S, Mahmoudikohani F, Saatchi K, Sefidkar R. Banaei M.The effect of acupressure on the initiation of labor: a randomized controlled trial.Women Birth.2017;30:46–50. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2016.07.002National Cancer Institute.Cardiopulmonary syndromes (PDQ)–health professional version.MedlinePlus.Placenta previa.American Massage Therapy Association.Massage therapy and pregnancy: a powerful combination.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.How do health care providers diagnose preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics.ACOG practice bulletin No. 196: thromboembolism in pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;132(1):e1-e17. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002706Dosoky NS, Setzer WN.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.IJMS. 2021;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Patel, S.Is massage safe during pregnancy?UT Southwestern Medical Center.American Massage Therapy Association.Benefits of massage during pregnancy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.Gholami-Motlagh F, Jouzi M, Soleymani B.Comparing the effects of two Swedish massage techniques on the vital signs and anxiety of healthy women.Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res. 2016;21(4):402. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.185584Salamon M.Massage and pregnancy: A powerful combination. American Massage Therapy Association.Supa’at I, Zakaria Z, Maskon O, Aminuddin A, Nordin NAMM.Effects of Swedish massage therapy on blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammatory markers in hypertensive women.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:1-8. doi:10.1155/2013/171852Mueller SM, Grunwald M.Effects, side effects and contraindications of relaxation massage during pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.JCM. 2021;10(16):3485. doi:10.3390/jcm10163485Dunkel Schetter C, Tanner L.Anxiety, depression and stress in pregnancy: Implications for mothers, children, research, and practice.Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2012;25(2):141-148. doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e3283503680Field T.Pregnancy and labor massage.Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology.2010;5(2):177-181.doi:10.1586/eog.10.12Torkzahrani S, Mahmoudikohani F, Saatchi K, Sefidkar R. Banaei M.The effect of acupressure on the initiation of labor: a randomized controlled trial.Women Birth.2017;30:46–50. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2016.07.002National Cancer Institute.Cardiopulmonary syndromes (PDQ)–health professional version.MedlinePlus.Placenta previa.American Massage Therapy Association.Massage therapy and pregnancy: a powerful combination.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.How do health care providers diagnose preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics.ACOG practice bulletin No. 196: thromboembolism in pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;132(1):e1-e17. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002706Dosoky NS, Setzer WN.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.IJMS. 2021;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Patel, S.Is massage safe during pregnancy?UT Southwestern Medical Center.American Massage Therapy Association.Benefits of massage during pregnancy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.Gholami-Motlagh F, Jouzi M, Soleymani B.Comparing the effects of two Swedish massage techniques on the vital signs and anxiety of healthy women.Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res. 2016;21(4):402. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.185584Salamon M.Massage and pregnancy: A powerful combination. American Massage Therapy Association.Supa’at I, Zakaria Z, Maskon O, Aminuddin A, Nordin NAMM.Effects of Swedish massage therapy on blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammatory markers in hypertensive women.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:1-8. doi:10.1155/2013/171852Mueller SM, Grunwald M.Effects, side effects and contraindications of relaxation massage during pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.JCM. 2021;10(16):3485. doi:10.3390/jcm10163485Dunkel Schetter C, Tanner L.Anxiety, depression and stress in pregnancy: Implications for mothers, children, research, and practice.Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2012;25(2):141-148. doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e3283503680Field T.Pregnancy and labor massage.Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology.2010;5(2):177-181.doi:10.1586/eog.10.12Torkzahrani S, Mahmoudikohani F, Saatchi K, Sefidkar R. Banaei M.The effect of acupressure on the initiation of labor: a randomized controlled trial.Women Birth.2017;30:46–50. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2016.07.002National Cancer Institute.Cardiopulmonary syndromes (PDQ)–health professional version.MedlinePlus.Placenta previa.American Massage Therapy Association.Massage therapy and pregnancy: a powerful combination.National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.How do health care providers diagnose preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome?American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics.ACOG practice bulletin No. 196: thromboembolism in pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;132(1):e1-e17. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002706Dosoky NS, Setzer WN.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.IJMS. 2021;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380
Patel, S.Is massage safe during pregnancy?UT Southwestern Medical Center.
American Massage Therapy Association.Benefits of massage during pregnancy.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.
Gholami-Motlagh F, Jouzi M, Soleymani B.Comparing the effects of two Swedish massage techniques on the vital signs and anxiety of healthy women.Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res. 2016;21(4):402. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.185584
Salamon M.Massage and pregnancy: A powerful combination. American Massage Therapy Association.
Supa’at I, Zakaria Z, Maskon O, Aminuddin A, Nordin NAMM.Effects of Swedish massage therapy on blood pressure, heart rate, and inflammatory markers in hypertensive women.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;2013:1-8. doi:10.1155/2013/171852
Mueller SM, Grunwald M.Effects, side effects and contraindications of relaxation massage during pregnancy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.JCM. 2021;10(16):3485. doi:10.3390/jcm10163485
Dunkel Schetter C, Tanner L.Anxiety, depression and stress in pregnancy: Implications for mothers, children, research, and practice.Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2012;25(2):141-148. doi:10.1097/YCO.0b013e3283503680
Field T.Pregnancy and labor massage.Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology.2010;5(2):177-181.doi:10.1586/eog.10.12
Torkzahrani S, Mahmoudikohani F, Saatchi K, Sefidkar R. Banaei M.The effect of acupressure on the initiation of labor: a randomized controlled trial.Women Birth.2017;30:46–50. doi:10.1016/j.wombi.2016.07.002
National Cancer Institute.Cardiopulmonary syndromes (PDQ)–health professional version.
MedlinePlus.Placenta previa.
American Massage Therapy Association.Massage therapy and pregnancy: a powerful combination.
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.How do health care providers diagnose preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome?
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins—Obstetrics.ACOG practice bulletin No. 196: thromboembolism in pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol. 2018;132(1):e1-e17. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002706
Dosoky NS, Setzer WN.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.IJMS. 2021;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380
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