A pregnancy massage is the perfect way to help you to feel a little more comfortable, by soothing any aches and pains that you may have.
Elena, our expert Head Spa Therapist, has written this article which looks at the main benefits of pregnancy massage (also known as a prenatal massage) for you and your baby.
Plus, we’ll share what happens during one of our pregnancy spa treatments and when you should get one.
In this article
– What is a Pregnancy Massage?
– 16 Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
– What Happens During a Pregnancy Massage?
– When Can You Have a Pregnancy Massage?
– Is Massage Safe During Pregnancy?
What is a Pregnancy Massage?
A pregnancy massage is a little different to a regular massage, mainly in terms of positioning and using gentler strokes.
Massage during pregnancy will always be performed in a position that is comfortable to you – lying on your side or possibly on your back if you feel ok in this position.
A prenatal massage will also avoid any oils that aren’t recommended during pregnancy. Plus, massage to specific parts of the body may be avoided, e.g. pressure points or the abdomen.
16 Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
There are many benefits of pregnancy massage for both Mum and baby. Aside from it being a totally relaxing and enjoyable experience for you, let’s check out the main benefits of massage during pregnancy.
1. Reduces Stress
One of the health benefits of pregnancy massage is that it helps to reduce stress. It’s quite difficult to be stressed when you’re so chilled out!
Low stress levels are vital for a healthy pregnancy and can only be a good thing for your baby too.
2. Reduces Joint and Muscle Pain
Pregnancy massage can reduce any muscle and joint pain you may be experiencing and can also help add flexibility to muscles too.
As you reach the latter stages of your pregnancy, you’re likely to be a little more sore than at the start. One of the benefits of a pregnancy massage is that it can help to soothe aches and pains and make you feel much more comfortable.
3. Helps You to Sleep Better
It’s not unusual to find sleep a little difficult during pregnancy. Stress, worries, discomfort, and a rather active baby means little sleep.
But pregnancy massage can help you to get the rest you need out of sheer relaxation.
Getting enough sleep isn’t just beneficial for you, it’s also important for your baby’s health and development too.
4. Reduces Swelling
Massage can help to reduce swelling by giving your lymphatic system a boost. That will make you feel more comfortable and help you to move around more easily.
Toxins will also be flushed away with a boost to your lymphatic system, which is another useful benefit.
5. Boosts Blood Circulation
Pregnancy massage can help to get your blood circulation moving which is beneficial for both you and your baby.
Increased circulation means that oxygen and nutrients are moving around more freely and getting to where they need to go.
So, your baby is getting a good amount of what they need for development and you feel healthier too.
6. Reduces Lower Back Pain
Your centre of gravity will move as your baby grows, and that might cause lower back pain and sciatica. A course of pregnancy massage treatments can help to relieve these problems and make you feel more comfortable.
7. Reduces Pregnancy Headaches
Hormones have a habit of causing all manner of upsetting symptoms and headaches can be one of them. Pregnancy massage can help to reduce headache severity and frequency, as long as you’re drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep too.
8. Helps You to Maintain a Better Posture
With looser muscles and less discomfort in general after your spa treatments, you will find it much easier to maintain a strong and healthy posture.
Posture is important for health and wellbeing and especially as your bump grows and your balance may be affected.
9. Helps With Hormonal Imbalance
Another useful benefit of pregnancy massage is that it can help to keep your hormones on an even keel. It can also promote the release of endorphins, our feel-good hormones.
10. Reduces Nerve Pain
If you struggle with nerve pain during pregnancy, pregnancy massage might be able to relieve the main symptoms for you.
Loose muscles will mean less pressure on the nerves. That means a better night’s sleep for you and a more comfortable experience in general.
11. Reduces Heartburn Symptoms
Massage can help to relax the nervous systems and therefore cuts down on pressure in the stomach. The result is less heartburn, or it might even get rid of it completely if you’re lucky.
12. Reduces Premature Labour Risk
While we can’t say that pregnancy massage is going to stop any risk of premature labour, studies have shown that it can reduce the risk thanks to a reduction in the amount of cortisol released.
Cortisol is the stress hormone. The less stressed you are, the lower your risk of premature labour.
13. Aids Development of Your Baby
We mentioned that increased blood circulation helps oxygen and nutrients to move around your body more freely, therefore reaching your baby.
This helps with their overall health and development. So, by relaxing with a pregnancy massage, you’re improving your baby’s growth too.
14. May Help With Labour and Delivery
Many studies have shown that women who have regular pregnancy massage experience less pain during labour and delivery, and may even cut the time of labour in general.
This is thought to be down to reduced stress levels and less discomfort during pregnancy overall.
15. Improves Immunity
Because blood circulation is boosted during massage, that means your baby’s immune system is likely to be improved.
This also helps to flush out toxins, which is another benefit for you and your baby, and ensures a higher level of overall health and wellbeing for you both.
16. Boosts Your Mood
Massages help you to calm down, relax, and can boost your mood too. This is the same for any type of massage and is no different for a prenatal massage.
The more you can enjoy your pregnancy, the more memorable it will be, and the healthier your baby is likely to be too.
What Happens During a Pregnancy Massage?
A pregnancy massage is a relaxing, enjoyable, and totally blissed-out experience! There is nothing to worry about at all and our highly trained spa therapists will guide you through your treatment.
- We will begin by talking to you about what our pregnancy massage involves and making sure that you’re comfortable with everything that we’re going to do
- You can let us know if there are any specific areas that you want us to avoid during the massage
- We’ll recommend the positions that we think will be most comfortable for you
- Then the treatment will begin. We will always check that you’re feeling comfortable and happy with the pressure that we’re using.
When Can You Have a Pregnancy Massage?
You can have a pregnancy massage at any point during the second or third trimesters. We would recommend avoiding the first trimester as a precautionary measure.
Here at Bluewater Spa Bournemouth, we will not perform massages on women in the first 13 weeks of their pregnancy.
Why not book a pregnancy massage at the start of your maternity leave? It would give you something to look forward to and would be a lovely way to mark the beginning of your new adventure.
Is Massage Safe During Pregnancy?
We’re regularly asked “is massage safe in early pregnancy?” Although the risk of miscarriage from massage in the first trimester is extremely low, why take that risk?
However, as you reach the second trimester, a full body massage or just a back massage is safe in pregnancy and an enjoyable experience to have.
You should always use a qualified massage therapist who has been specially trained for pregnancy massage.
All of our spa therapists at Bluewater Spa are fully qualified and are very experienced in pregnancy massage.
Time To Book Your Treat
Is there ever a more deserving time in your life to give yourself a relaxing treat than when you’re growing a tiny human?!
Our Bluewater Spa in Bournemouth is one of the most relaxing and tranquil places to chill out before the birth of your baby.
We offer two full body pregnancy massages – ‘Yummy Mummy To Be’ and ‘New Beginnings’.
Why not buy a day pass for our leisure facilities and spend the rest of the day after your treatment lazing around in our 18 swimming pool and Jacuzzi…
You deserve it!
