I have some questions:
*how far along were you when you had it done?
*did you use a table w/ a hole for your belly, or did you lay sideways for the massage?
*did they offer your suggestions of positions that would help w/ sore b00bs?
I'm looking into doing this next week - I'll be 39 weeks along and totally due for a massage, but I'm worried that it will be painful/uncomfortable to lay on my stomach. I'll probably book at H a l i n a Day Spa b/c I have a credit there, so I'd definitely love to hear any feedback about their services in this department if you have any.
TIA
Re: If you had a pregnancy massage...
I did one back in october and even then, they had me lay on my side. I didn't ask about sore boobs, but I def want to go back. I know it's not much help, but they'll know how to take care of you.
At 36 weeks I had one at The Spa at Plaza Cortez. I was kinda disappointed about him having me lay on my side, but it ended up being fine. He didn't offer any suggestions for sore boobs, but I didn't ask.
It was worth every penny, especially for my hips. Just as a heads up though, they probably won't go anywhere near your ankles or feet for fear of inducing labor.
My friend had her baby shower at lake austin spa and she had a massage there she loved.
I think milk and honey does them too. I loooove milk and honey massages
I had several in my last pregnancy (helps when you're friends with a massage therapist!). I always used pillows and did it side lying. According to my friend (FusionLMT) that hole cut out for your belly is not good for your back and should not be used ever. She always gave me tons of pillows and I felt completely comfortable that way.
*did you use a table w/ a hole for your belly, or did you lay sideways for the massage?--sideways, and it was comfy.
*did they offer your suggestions of positions that would help w/ sore b00bs?--I didn't ask, but if you're on your side it shouldn't be an issue. Can you call and ask what they use? If it's the belly-hole kind I bet you could request a regular table w/a body pillow if you're concerned.
FWIW, it was awe-some. Just tell them what kind of pressure is comfortable and you should be good to go.
During my first pg, I had a massage in my third tri at North Austin Massage (northaustinmassage.com) and it was AH-mazing!!
They had the special adaptation that went on the massage table which allowed me to lay on my belly, but at the same time it cradled my belly so it wasn't just hanging from a hole in the table. It was SUPER comfortable. No info on the sore boobs, but I didn't ask, either. The therapist had kids of her own so she asked me a lot of knowledgeable questions about the comfort of my body prior to and during the massage--I didn't feel awkward at all.
I know you said you're going to Halina, but if you're open to somewhere else, I can't recommend them highly enough!! This is the place that all of the physical therapists I work with recommend, and they have high standards
I've had quite a few at various points throughout my pregnancy. My chiropractor has a massage therapist that works with him so I've been getting them more frequently now that I have her.
-from first tri up to two weeks ago (and again Friday)
-I lay on my side. This is pretty comfortable for me except sometimes my arm falls asleep. (I usually don't mind though because by then, I'm usually asleep.
)
- I haven't asked about this and she's never offered the info. However, she always asks if I have any issues so I bet they could suggest something if you tell them.
I did one at 39 weeks at that pregnancy spa place in Sunset Valley.
If I'm remembering correctly, I think you're having pelvis pain, right? If so, I had the same thing - lifting one leg at a time or rolling over was excruciating at the end of the pregnancy, as was laying on my side.
While the massage mostly felt good, the moving around I had to do during the massage kind of wiped out any of the massage's restorative or relaxing effects. Honestly, I remember leaving there a little disappointed that I had spent the money on that. That late in the pregnancy, I think I would've preferred something where I could sit pretty still instead, like a mani/pedi or a facial.
Now, that said, I was also in physical therapy for the pelvic/hip pain, and they did some massage during my sessions, which always felt WONDERFUL. If I had to do it again, and was considering a massage late in the game, I think I would've gone with the massage therapists at my physical therapy place, instead of at a spa.
**the nestie formerly known as karen2508**
another LMT chiming in to say that the tables with cut-outs are bad news. just prop up with lots of pillows and you should be fine. i had some hip work done during a massage while pregnant and it was glorious. enjoy yourself!
thanks, all - this helps a lot.
Yes, I've got the whole pelvis separation/pain situation in FULL force at this point, so I'm hoping to have some hip work done to help w/ that a little. But I can totally see how trying to maneuver around on a massage table could be pretty excruciating, so I'll have to ask them about that.
And thanks for all the info on the belly-hole thing. I did not know about that, so I'll definitely avoid that scenario.
I was originally going to go to M&H for their massage but this is kinda a last-minute thing and it's just too convenient to go to HDS at this point.