Massage therapy has been used for years to help improve stress and relieve muscle tension.  Massages during pregnancy have often received uncertain responses from the health community regarding their safety and purpose.

However, recent medical research has shown that massage therapy during pregnancy can be a crucial component in women’s prenatal care and should be given more consideration. Studies indicate that massage therapy done during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle pain and remove joint tension, as well as improve labor outcomes and newborn health.

Massage during pregnancy differs from a regular massage in a couple of ways. The biggest way it differs is that the person receiving the massage is pregnant, and therefore knowledge of pregnancy and the anatomy of a pregnant woman are very important. This means that positioning during a massage is critical to the safety and well-being of both the mother and the baby she is carrying. There are also parts of the body that should not be massaged.

If you don’t have enough time to get a massage during pregnancy, don’t worry about that! There are simple massage techniques that your partner can learn at home to help you feel relaxed! It is a great idea to take your partner or friend with you when you get your massage, any professional therapist will encourage this, they can show your partner many comfort measures he or she can use at home and will also explain why some techniques are unsafe. These hits will really help out when you’re in labor!