Pregnancy Massage Question

[??hi?]

Hi,
I have been asked the question by a potential client for my business
"Is pregnancy massage 100% safe?"

How would you respond if this question were posed to you?

Thanks
Richard

 

[workinmama]

IMO - pregnancy massage is 100% safe when working with a client without any complications.

I have gotten massages thoughout my entire pregnancy (37 weeks) and it has been wonderful for me. I can't imagine what I would feel like if I hadn't. There is benefit for the mother-to-be in all trimesters.

 

[Mariah]

Is having a baby 100% safe?
Is lying down to go to sleep safe while pregnant 100% safe?

Pregnancy massage is as safe as those two activities, which are not 100% safe.

As Masthera said, if there are no complications, pregnancy massage is safe - I'll add when performed by a qualified therapist after the first trimester - after the first trimester because there is generally a much higher risk of miscarriage in the first trimester, not that there is a higher risk of miscarriage due to a massage. It is actually not that much of an issue since most people don't start looking for pregnancy massage until after the 3rd trimester anyway, or at only about 10wks, easy to wait a couple more weeks.
There are points to avoid during a pregnancy massage as they supposedly can stimulated uterine contractions which is where the "qualified therapist" comes into it. I always wondered exactly how much stimulation was required and of all the "I'm fed up, do something!" at about 37-38wks I've had recently, I've worked on some of those points and all 5 have gone into labour within 24hrs (with no issues, all babies fine) after carefully avoiding those points for months, so I think the points do do something.

 

[AMPhoto]

This was my response to the client which is similar to your comments, so thanks for the responses.

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You ask the question "Is pregnancy massage 100% safe".


Very difficult answer to answer definitively yes to (particularly given liability laws) with respect to 100%. However, massage therapists operate under a motto of "do no harm' - ie any massage strokes, strectches etc are undertaken with the clear intention that they will no harm the client or in your case clients. Massage therapists do not manipulate or perform actions outside of areas of their training. I am not aware of any instance either in my personal experience or through any reading of any instances whereby pregnancy massage has resulted in harm to the baby. My only concern would be from untrained massage therapists performing inappropriate massage......... Not sure that this will 100% re-assure you. .......................
Talk to your Midwife, GP or Obstetrician. There are conditions in pregnancy that mean the massage is contraindicated (ie not recommended). Personally, if the pregnancy if proceeding normally, there is no history of miscarriage and there are no health issues then I have no qualms in performing pregnancy massage.

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Cheers
Richard

 

[ladybug]

Both - very well said.