Pregnant friend wanting massage

[Okai]

Hi, can anyone help?

My friend is just under 3 months pregnant and had asked me what sort of massage she can have throughout her pregnancy. At college our tutor said that no one under 3 months pregnant should have massage (esp. aromatherapy) but I was just wondering what to do for my friend in the next few months - obviously she wont be able to lie on her front, (or back?) so how should I perform the massage? And on what areas?

Many thanks

Sam

 

[nas88car 300 nice race #9]

You need to refer your friend to a therapist certified in prenatal massage, and at the very least become versed in the basics yourself so that you can help her make a good selection.

Some of the basic things a massage therapist should know concerning pregnancy are as follows: massage in the first three months is commonly contraindicated due to the risks of miscarriage--not due to anything in a massage possiblycausing it, but simply because that is the timeframe when it is most likely to happen and the desire to avoid liablilty. (I had noqualms receiving massage in my first trimester, asmy therapistsknew exactly what they were doing.) After she enters thesecond trimester she will need to limit the amount of time spent on her back and finish the massage lying on her left side. Tables with a cut-out for the pregnant belly are manufactured, but one size certainly does not fit all, and the support is frequently inadequate to protect the uterine ligaments. Sidelying is safest. Aromatherapy is definitely out, as is massage with any scented lotions or oils.

While pregnancy is a perfectly natural state, tremendous physical and emotional changesare taking place throughout the pregnancy.A therapistexperienced in pregnancy massage will modify each session appropriatelyto the stage of pregnancy in order to provide the physically safest and most emotionally supportive massage possible.

 

[Savishiern]

Thank you both - that's really helpful.

I may think about doing prenatal massage as I think it will be useful in the future...

x