Prenatal Massages

allen4tl · March 2016

This might be a better question for STM's but at what point do you think is the best time to get a prenatal massage. I was gifted 2 massages actually and am wanting to schedule them. I am looking at 36 weeks and then 39 weeks. Is that cutting it too close? Should I spread them out more?

vinerie · March 2016

I've done a couple. They are nice, but not very "therapeutic," imo. The pressure won't be that of a normal massage (They tell you this, and I am always craving harder pressure) and you have to lay on your side so I find I can't totally relax the way I would at a normal massage in which I lay on my stomach.

I think the best part is just trying to zone out and immerse yourself in the spa experience--the fuzzy robe, the soft lighting, the relaxing music. But it's not going to help with any aches and pains in the long-term.

So I'd say do them when you want. Also FTM so I can't comment on this from experience, but if you are trying to get the most out of them, 39 weeks may be a bit late because I suspect at 39 weeks you can't get comfortable no matter what is going on.

ETA: I might save one for a post-baby treat.

Spylon · March 2016

I just got one yesterday, and I have another one booked in two weeks. I can't get enough. Like @vinerie said, it's definitely not as good as non-pregnant massage, especially if you like a lot of pressure, but my feet and calves were on cloud nine yesterday. Also a FTM here, but I'd say use them a little earlier.

dshannah · March 2016

Do them now!!!

(what everyone else said

)

I totally fell asleep during mine, it was so relaxing and I felt so good afterwards! You're on your side, but they pad you with pillows til you're totally cozy and then work through all of your muscles gently. I don't like hard massages, and I didn't have any knots for them to work out, so it was really just about relaxation and that was fine because it was all I wanted.

araecasey · March 2016

I had one at 20 something weeks and one at 39 weeks last time, and I really, really enjoyed my massage at 39 weeks! My masseuse was fantastic, she definitely helped relieve some of my aches and pains, and she used clary sage oil and acupressure to stimulate labor since I was full term. It didn't work but still... fantastic experience.

jenl1681 · March 2016

I love them! I am a bit shocked to see people have to lay on their sides? That doesn't sound nice. The place I go to has these foam pads on the table, and basically you get to lay flat and your bump fits into the pads. Just being able to comfortably lay "on your stomach" is nice. I tell my lady to apply as much pressure as she can and it's still super relaxing. I have one scheduled for Saturday morning in fact

vinerie · March 2016

jenl1681 said:

I love them! I am a bit shocked to see people have to lay on their sides? That doesn't sound nice. The place I go to has these foam pads on the table, and basically you get to lay flat and your bump fits into the pads. Just being able to comfortably lay "on your stomach" is nice. I tell my lady to apply as much pressure as she can and it's still super relaxing. I have one scheduled for Saturday morning in fact

Wow, I would love that. I've been to two different spas (both out of state, while I've been traveling) and had to lay on my side both times.

hellogoodbye2 · March 2016

I had one at 26w and I plan on getting one more around 37w.

Like pp's said, it's not going to give you long-term relief, but it is lovely while it lasts!

Sharra13 · March 2016

I've had a couple already and will fit in as many as I can between now and then (maybe every 2-3 weeks if we can afford it). My massage place has these awesome maternity cushion things with holes/dips built in that let you lay on your stomach for the massage--super comfortable and nice to be able to do that!

Pascal86 · March 2016

I would call and ask how far out you have to schedule appointments. Usually I want my massage whenever I feel crappy, and I want it that day! If your place can accommodate same-day appointments, I would say that's the way to go! If not, I would just do them soon. I feel crappy now so that sounds amazing!!

I've just had one, a couple months ago - and I agree that I wished they used more pressure, but otherwise I loved it. I'm a (mostly non-practicing) massage therapist, and ever since I started, when I get massage I just think about what they're doing the entire time, and how I would do it differently. I never did pre-natal though, so I was able to space out during mine because I didn't have my own pre-natal routine to compare it with, it was awesome!

And definitely agree that if you're not getting deep work, a ton of the benefit is just the relaxation aspect and the fuzzy robe if that's part of the deal!

ayeshaohara · March 2016

I had one tonight. It was glorious. Just nice to chill out for a bit. I got her to try and push some fluid off my legs too which felt so good! Definitely planning for another one around 37-38 weeks

Astraphobic · March 2016

I had one at 30 weeks and it was great! I don't know if I will do another since ivr Bern lucky in the whole pain area *knock on wood* but it did help me relax and feel better overall.

doozer1345 · March 2016

Yipes. IMO (uneducated really) I think 39 weeks is a little too close. Although a prenatal massage should be handled by a trained professional I wouldn't want to risk them hitting a pressure point that's a no no or going into labor there. The last week I'd do it is 37 weeks at the max.

MsIan · March 2016

I did one at about 25-ish weeks. It was amazing. I was also at a place that had a table allowing you to lay on your stomach. It didn't help with long term pain but was nice for the moment. Getting another next week (32-33 weeks).

camillaandcarson · March 2016

How ladies do this is beyond me. I don't want anyone to even touch my belly much less give me a massage.
I would rather they bring me sushi, a cinnamon roll, ice cream, all the above or clean my house.

LovingLife! · March 2016

Do it!! I am saving the one I was gifted for Christmas until I really need it. The last one I had was at 28 weeks and it was glorious! She worked on relieving my sciatic nerve and really got into my glutes. Amazing to have the pressure from the forward pull of my bump relieved! Can't wait for my next one

I'd be fine going in at 39 weeks, but I've been overdue with both previous babies so no worries about going into labor for me.

mumbolino · March 2016

I can only do the ones that offer those bump pads. Due to my back issues somehow lying on my side for a massage was awful. Might work though if your back is fine:-)
have to agree with others that it's not quite as great as pre pregnancy. They usually apply less pressure especially in lower back.

yogahh · March 2016

And now I want a massage. The spa by me does a prenatal leg and foot treatment. Think I'll be treating myself this weekend. The one thing that has really bothered me this whole pregnancy has been swollen and sore (i.e. Painful!) feet.

And be if they want to bring me w cinnamon roll that's an added bonus

kbrands7 · March 2016

I had one last time at 38 weeks, which felt like great timing. This time around, my chiropractor does a mini massage each visit and I get to use the belly pillows to lay on my stomach without putting pressure on the baby, so I'm not scheduling a separate massage.

KidShrink · March 2016

I've had 3 already (two before the holidays, one since), and they've been wonderful. The place I go to has the tables with holes in them (they remove pads in the table which make space for your belly, and then it's cushioned with pillows) and it's been amazing to be on my stomach again! I've been having a lot of hip issues, and the RMT I go to definitely has applied enough pressure to relieve quite a bit of pain. I have another one booked for when I'm close to 37 weeks (when I go on mat leave). When I asked her how late I could go, she said it really wasn't an issue and her previous client was 41 weeks. I think it all depends on their training and level of comfort with pregnancy.

dshannah · March 2016

I didn't know you could lie on your belly!! I'm going to go ahead and find a place that does:)

thanks, ladies!!

vinerie · March 2016

camillaandcarson said:

How ladies do this is beyond me. I don't want anyone to even touch my belly much less give me a massage.
I would rather they bring me sushi, a cinnamon roll, ice cream, all the above or clean my house.

I'm totally fine being touched. And I am also fine with being brought sushi, cinnamon rolls, ice cream and having that person clean my house. I want all those things!!!

sarawifenow · March 2016

Re: the laying on your stomach thing. It is really an individual massage therapist/practice decision. I used to manage a massage clinic and we would not give any prenatal massages (no matter which trimester) unless they were side lying. There are conflicting opinions in the massage world about the safety of a pregnant woman lying on her stomach (even assisted by pillows/table cut outs), so a lot of places/therapists avoid doing so out of caution and liability.

auntieembabes · March 2016

Had my first one today (30 + 4 days). GLORIOUS, no cut out table but it was full body from scalp to toes and a full hour long. My sister in law gave me a gift card to a local spa after our son was born a little over a year and a half ago and I'd been hoarding it until I was really worn out. Then I got pregnant with twins. Omg I'm so glad I saved it for this long. And there's enough left on it to go again in a few weeks.

khochanadel · March 2016

I got one today, too! It felt SO good. This might just have to be my payday gift to myself until these babies punch their way out.

missnc77 · March 2016

My husband booked one for me last weekend, and it was at a place that used pillows so you could lay on your stomach. It was amazing - I told my husband I may start going weekly.

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