Massages during 1st Tri- yay or nay??

MNturnsVA · February 2016

Hi Ladies! I'm just over 9 weeks along and have been having some of the most horrendous pain ever in my back/pelvic/hip bone area but it is not pregnancy related. I started a new job about 6 weeks ago and it involved a new desk set up and chair than what I had been used too. We also have what could very easily be a couch that is over 10 years old and a bed that could easily be 5 or more years older and used. We "inhereited' the home furnishings when we moved into our house from my DH"s step dad. DH's step dad is TERRIBLE with details and will tell you the sky is green when clearly its blue so asking him when these pieces of furniture were actually purchased is pointless. Anyways, I know these pains are non pregnancy related or i'm pretty sure they are anyways with all the other things going on that I'm pretty sure are the culprit. Plus, these pains are pretty specific to certain areas, not my lower back or really the hips even but my butt really more than anything, where your tail bone is.

So I asked a friend of mine about massage during 1st tri and she said her massage therapist said no massage during 1st tri because of all the toxins it releases.

I called my dr and talked to the "advice nurse" at the office and they said it was fine.

My massage girl, while she does an excellent job at what she does, I sometimes wonder how she passed the book part of her masseuse education because I don't think she quite is all on the same page with some of the other things I've told her or asked her about.

I'm so conflicted and in so much pain, I ended up going to see the massage girl I regularly see for a 30 min session but now I'm all sorts of paranoid!!!

So what do you know about 1st tri massages???

meggyme · February 2016

Make sure she's qualified as a prenatal masseuse. In addition to toxins, there are some pressure points they say to avoid. Also, due to the high rate of miscarriage in 1st tri, many locations won't see you doing that time for fear you'll blame them for a miscarriage they may not have caused.

i had one at 10 weeks or so and because I wasn't showing yet she allowed me to lay on my tummy. Otherwise they have you lay on your side and use pillows to prop yourself up. It can be hard to relax while balancing on your side. I have one scheduled for this weekend.
Enjoy and congrats! (I recognize you from TTGP)

PinkLady2015 · February 2016

lol, I always laugh at the "massage releases toxins" nonsense. Exactly what toxins that are so terrible for our body are being nefariously harbored by our muscles? Lactic acid? That's the same thing that happens when we exercise and no one is going around saying pregnant women shouldn't exercise (well, actually, there probably are but there fear mongering idiots)

I've seen some information about not having your abdomen massaged, but I can safely say in all my years of getting massaged, no one has come near my belly to rub it (or they would have probably gotten a swift kick in the face)

Most places advise against first trimester massages 100% to avoid a lawsuit from someone they feel may be litigious if they happen to miscarry and blame it on the massage.

At 10 weeks, you're probably not showing and may still feel comfortable laying on your stomach. I'm 17 weeks and still trying to squeeze in every last night of stomach sleeping before it becomes a physical impossibility for me. There is nothing scientific or medically harmful for me to sleep on my stomach though.

in other words... get the massage

Also, I'd be willing to be that what youre feeling is in fact related to pregnancy. Your body is producing relaxin which helps the ligaments stretch to make room for baby in your pelvic area. This is most likely causing the pain in addition to the reasons you stated.

Cowboycorgi · February 2016

Personally, I say yes to 1st trimester massage.
I'm a licensed massage therapist, birth doula, and used to be a nurse. The miscarriage wives tales have never been proven, but because they are so prevalent and because a few points near the ankles, feet, and hands have been shown to cause light uterine contractions (much like orgasms and lifting over 10lbs can) most basic massage therapists err on the side of caution.
With that said, I wouldn't see just any massage therapist. Your body is already changing and with relaxin hormones your regular massage could cause more swelling and pain.
I would find a massage therapist or doula trained in prenatal massage and even better one that has gone through training for 1st trimester massage. In Michigan these are usually Medical massage therapist or prenatal doulas in particular. Make sure he/she knows no to work on your abdomin, and if you are conservative let them know you are uncomfortable having ankle/foot/hand work done at this time. They will most likely not do any of those spots anyway.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

lotsofsunshine · February 2016

I agree with @Cowboycorgi . I too am a licensed massage therapist and massage is perfectly safe at all stages of pregnancy, as long as those few areas are avoided. Also, don't call a massage therapist a masseuse, we really don't like that.

MNturnsVA · February 2016

@PinkLady2015- this pain is so weird though- sharp shooting pains in my tail bone. hurts to walk today every time i take a step.....I know that the hormones cause some things to happen and change but this is just the weirdest and hurts so bad.....and in such a strange place. I would be more inclined to agree with you if it were low back area or hips in general....unless you've had these pains too. but it seriously feels like its on the bottom underside of my butt cheek

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/1s/e2t8oaof8jyo.jpg

Where the Ischium is marked on this image is where the pain is........

PinkLady2015 · February 2016

@mnturnsva it could also be linked with round ligament pain as well, but yes the area your describing may or may not be related... my motto is... anything and everything can be associated with pregnancy simply because our bodies are going through such drastic changes that mostly anything is considered "normal." If it gets to the point of excruciating pain or your not able to walk, I'd consult with a doc. Tylenol is safe for pregnancy so if you get to your breaking point, that may be an option. Talk with your doc first of course. Have you tried ice packs or baths to alleviate some of the pain? If it's caused from inflammation, the ice would help. Some people find that soaking in a warm bath also can relax your body. Hope you get relief soon!!

lalalorelai · February 2016

@MNturnsVA is the pain just on one side? From what you've described, it kind of sounds like sciatica (which may or may not be pregnancy-related).

HulaCherry · February 2016

I just had a massage in my first trimester. The spa almost didn't do it, but I insisted and signed a waiver that would release them of any blame should something happen. It was such a light relaxation massage and absolutely perfect! I've come to the conclusion that something as simple as a massage isn't going to cause a miscarriage. There has to be something else going on for that to happen. I would recommend going somewhere where they specialize in prenatal massage.

stillcozy · February 2016

Sadly no one near me would give me one in my first tri and then went to a prenatal trained masseuse early in second tri and it was wonderful ! Hope you can get one soon!

Eta: they also tend to use a special pillow or table top for you and it helps a lot as well so yes seek out prenatal massage specifically

surferP528 · February 2016

I got a massage in my first trimester (right around the 12th week though) and was still able to lay on my stomach. The masseuse said there's really no reason to avoid it except for the fear and blame that other posters mentioned.

If you're feeling pain, I think massage would be a great way to try. I'd personally rather do that than take medicines. You could also try acupuncture.

br0co1ii · February 2016

My regular massage place apparently has a strict "no massage in the first trimester" policy. Unfortunately, I only found this out after I was there for my regularly scheduled appointment. I'm pretty sure it is solely based on fear or being sued or something. I was way too upset (irrationally of course) to ask why the policy was in place.

llbne · February 2016

It sounds exactly like pelvic girdle pain or sacroiliac joint pain which is common in pregnancy and is often misdiagnosed as sciatica. I have had it in both pregnancies starting at about 8 weeks. For me it is mostly sharp pain in my buttock and dull pain elsewhere in my pelvic area. Here's an article about it: https://www.babycenter.com.au/a564618/pelvic-girdle-pain-pgp-in-pregnancy

scotia-293 · February 2016

I am a RMT, I have treated many patients during the first trimester. Make sure your massage therapist is certified in pregnancy massage just because they are a RMT does not mean they have training in pregnancy massage. Their are precautions your RMT will have to take during the first trimester but don't let that scare you if they are properly educated they will no how to treat you safely. Make sure they do not do any deep pressure on the low back. But massage can be beneficial during your entire pregnancy.

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