- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
1st Trimester
Prenatal Massage
Are there any specific spots on the body (pressure/trigger points) that I should make sure that my therapist avoids? I heard that there are some points that could trigger miscarriage or early labor. Is this true?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Prenatal Massage
Your therapist should simply be aware that you are pregnant... I dont think there is too much to worry about in the first tri!
And if you are going somewhere for what is actually CALLEDa prenatal massage,they will know what they are doing.
Your husband is a smart man! I work for a company that exclusively insures massage therapists - women in their first trimester SHOULD NOT get a massage. Massage releases high levels of toxins in your blood (ever get a headache after a massage? It's called a toxic headache). The toxins can cause miscarriage. Please avoid until the 2nd tri.
Your husband giving you a massage is much different than an LMT doing it. I'm sure you're fine! Obviously by looking at the feedback on here there are mixed opinions and when that happens I just avoid it. PP mention getting shoulders and neck massaged... that sounds wonderful. I bet chair massages are ok since they're short.
Thanks, makes me feel better. And you're right - I've had a "real" massage before and it was much more intense on those pressure points, my hubbie's was light. Thanks.
There is zero medical evidence that toxins released through massage cause a miscarriage. The toxins already exist in the body prior to the massage. They are simply by-products of metabolism (your body metabolizes regardless of whether or not you get a massage). You get a headache sometimes after a massage because the body is processing them at a fast than typical rate. This is why it is important to drink a lot of water after a massage.
The main medical reason therapists sometimes opt to not work on women in their first trimester is due to nausea and morning sickness, which is valid but only if symptoms are present. Unfortunately, the actual reason most therapists decline to work on women during that time due to concerns of litigation.
Obviously, the choice to massage or not or receive or not is a personal one. I am a massage therapist in my first trimester and have been loving my massages during this time. And I have massaged many grateful pregnant women in all trimesters throughout my career without incident.
If you decide to get a massage, please tell your therapist you are pregnant when you book the appointment. That way if s/he does not practice pregnancy massage you can be referred to someone who does.
Just wanting to present another viewpoint.
Hello,
I just wanted to comment on this. I have been a massage therapist for seven years and all you will find on the question on if massage is safe i the first trimester is conflicting opinions. As far as I'm concerned it is absolutely safe if done by a licensed certified massage therapist with knowledge in the area of prenatal massage. The woman who wrote the following quote is NOT a massage therapist but works for a company who insures therapists, so this is the type of answer i would expect from someone in that field. I'm not trying to discredit her because i'm sure as an insurance provider to massage therapists this is what she was taught.
" Your husband is a smart man! I work for a company that exclusively insures massage therapists - women in their first trimester SHOULD NOT get a massage. Massage releases high levels of toxins in your blood (ever get a headache after a massage? It's called a toxic headache). The toxins can cause miscarriage. Please avoid until the 2nd tri."
But in actuality massage is safe in the first trimester. some therapists will not work on you until you are in your second trimester just as a precaution. The first trimester is when you are most likely to miscarry so...say someone has a massage on friday and unfortunately miscarry on saturday...they could turn around and try to blame it on the massage and possibly even try to sue the therapist. Was it the massage that caused the miscarriage? Most likely NOT! But because this is the most touch and go time of the pregnancy some therapists will not work on you until you are past the first trimester. It's mostly just to cover our own asses against lawsuits. As far as toxins being released into the bloodstream from a massage as someone previously posted, yes that is true. which is why any LMT (licensed massage therapist) that knows what they are doing will instruct you to drink plenty of water following your massage. These toxins are naturally occuring in your muscles and will not cause harm to you. most people are fine after a massage, some will feel a little queezy or get a head ache if they dont drink enough water.
My suggestion to anyone who can not wait until the 2nd trimester for a massage is that it is generally safe, make sure you find a licensed certified therapist comfortable and EXPERIENCED with pre-natal massage. DO NOT GO TO SOMEONE RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL! Most experienced therapists will know the areas to avoid such as deep pressure to the lower back, ankles, and hands. Light pressure in these areas is ok but some therapists will avoid them all together to be extra safe. Sorry about the super long post
but i hope it helps. I also suggest if your really concerned about it to ask your doctor and do a little online research about it, i think you'll find most will say its good for you to have regular massage throughout your pregnancy. Good luck!