Pregnancy Massage

Authors:

• Charity Caudle

• Melissa Mackinnon

• Christina DiRosa
(OMTA, 2008)

What is Pregnancy Massage?

Pregnancy massage is a form of massage position the client on her side, so that
that is designed to help pregnant he/she will be able to massage the
women, by relieving their aches and client’s back and hip (Pregnancy
pains. It is a type of massage that must Massage Health Article 2005-2008). The
be performed very gently so that you setting of the room would be the same
don’t cause anymore discomfort to the as any normal massage room with low
mother or the unborn child. There are lights, soft music and candles with the
many benefits for the mother that can exception of some added padding to
Individual
be taken from a pregnancy massage, help keep the client warm.
Highlights:
such as increase in energy, reduction of
There are certain oils that can be used
Origins 2 fluid retention and releasing stress; it
and others that cannot. The few that
can also benefit the baby’s wellbeing.
Equipment 2 can be used are: Tea Tree, Lemon,
(Pregnancy Massage 2008)
Sandalwood and Tangerine. The oils
Benefits/Risks 3 Prenatal massage is also helpful when it that cannot be used are: Basil, Jasmine,
RMT Interview 4 comes to preparing for labor. It helps to and Fennel (Massage Therapy: step by
teach the mother to release all tension, step guide, 2007).
Places in Barrie 5 focus on relaxation and focus on her
References 6 breathing techniques.
The main areas targeted by pregnancy
massage are:
• Neck
• Back
• Weight bearing joints
During a prenatal massage the table
should be in a semi-reclining position,
so that the client can be comfortable
and relax as well as keeping it safe for
the baby. The therapist will then

Beneficial Massage Services (2006-2008)

 Page 2 of 6 Pregnancy Massage

The Origins of Pregnancy Massage

Nava, S. (n.d.)
“Having a doula
present during
labor will help to…
reduce pain
medication use by
30%” Equipment for Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage
table
Bodyscape Massage Therapy (n.d.)
Pregnancy (prenatal) massage has been
around for thousands of years,
appearing in many different cultures
and in many different forms. In the
Indian Ayuredic medical manuals
instructions can be found on how to rub
oils into pregnant patients’ abdominal
skin. Prenatal massage has also been
documented throughout art. Some
traditional Eskimo sculptures show
fathers massaging laboring wives’ backs.
Pregnancy massage was also practiced
by doulas (midwives) in Irish hospitals.
Over thousands of years midwives who
provided support and eased childbearing
discomforts (Healthline Networks,
2008).
Throughout history women have relied
on other women during their pregnancy
and child birth. According to K. Kilson
doula is Greek for “women helping
women” in childbirth. A doula has come
to be known for providing physical and
emotional support in a non-medical
manner. One of a doula’s relaxation
methods is pregnancy massage. Her
presence and techniques leave the
mother with the best possible birthing
scenario (2008).
Bella Maternity Services suggests that
having a doula decreases medical
intervention in labor and provides a
better pregnancy. Having a doula will
help to:
Reduce the need for Cesarean
operation by 50%
Reduce the length of labor by 25%
Reduce the use of labor-inducing
drug pitocin by 40%
Reduce pain medication use by 30%
Reduce the need for forceps by 40%
Reduce epidural requests by 60%
6 weeks after birth, mothers who
had doulas were:
Less anxious and depressed
More confident with their baby
More satisfied with their partner
(71% vs. 30%)
More likely to be breastfeeding
(52% vs. 29%)
(2008).
When providing a pregnant client with a
massage, there are different options for
equipment. If a therapist does many
treatments with pregnant women, they
may want to invest in a massage table
(as seen to the right) for use with
pregnant women. As women grow
during their pregnancy this table has
cut outs for their stomach and breasts
and allow the women to lay prone
during their treatment. However some
therapists find that there is less support
provided by these tables which causes
additional strain on the mothers
stomach (McDermott, 2008). For
therapists who do not have a special
table they use additional pillows and
towels and other supports to keep the
mother comfortable.
 Pregnancy Massage
Benefits of Pregnancy Massage
During pregnancy the woman
experiences many different symptoms
which cause added stress on the body.
Having massage done during each
stage of pregnancy can help to
alleviate these symptoms and make
this time more comfortable.
The benefits of pregnancy massage can
include:
• Tranquil relaxation and
reduce stress.
• Relief from muscle cramps,
spasms, and myofascial
pain, especially in the lower
back, neck hips, and legs.
• Increase in blood and lymph
circulation, which can
reduce swelling.
• Reduce stress on weight-
bearing joints.
• Improves outcome of labor
and eases labor pain.
• Enhances the pliability of
skin and underlying tissues.
Risks of Pregnancy Massage (Things to keep in mind)
As it is not only the mother you have to
worry about during pregnancy massage,
there are different ways that you should
consider to treat your client. There are
certain conditions in which the mother
should not be treated during pregnancy.
Some of these instances are: “a high-
risk pregnancy or pregnancy with
multiples, hypertension, preeclampsia,
or a history of pre-term labor”
(McDermott, 2008). It is suggested that
a client receive a letter from their
doctor prior to starting massage therapy
treatments (McDermott, 2008).
Due to the higher risk of miscarriages
during the first trimester, many massage
therapists will refuse to do treatments
during this time. The therapist feels
safer in protecting themselves and the
Page 3 of 6
• Provides support for the
new mother with physical
and emotional strains of
mothering. (Weiss, 2008).
There are other reasons than those
listed above which support mothers in
their choice for pregnancy massage.
Some women look to massage as a way
to avoid taking other medications which
may harm the baby (McDermott, 2008).
During active labor a doula can help to
“shorten the labor, reduce pain, and
improve the odds of a natural child
birth” (McDermott, 2008). While some
studies “indicate that regular massage
during pregnancy can help reduce the
onset of post-partum depression after
the baby is born” (McDermott, 2008).
Pregnancy massage also has an impact
on the baby, because when the mother
is calmer than this will reflect on the
baby. Whatever the mother is feeling hug.a.bub Baby Carrier (n.d.)
the baby will also feel (Kulbaba, Amanda
RMT, 2008, November 11).
mother by doing this (McDermott,
2008).
According to my interview with Amanda
Kulbaba, RMT, on November 11, 2008
she suggests that if treating in the first
3 months you would not do any heavy
work on the sacrum. There are certain
aromatherapies which can cause
problems such as rose, due to the fact
that it causes menstruation. If the
mother is healthy, the positioning of the
client will need to be modified, and
deep tissues and aggressive work should
be avoided. When there are other
medical issues, as mentioned earlier,
there are more contraindications.
Usually through the first 5 months it is
ok to keep the mother on her stomach
until she begins to show.
 Page 4 of 6 Pregnancy Massage

Interview with RMT Amanda Kulbaba

Part of Interview was discussed in the Do you find that overall mothers have a
above sections on benefits and risks and positive experience with pregnancy
was therefore not repeated in this massage, and that it helps to relieve
section. their pregnancy symptoms?

Definitely. However by the 9th month

How did you become qualified to do
the treatments are not as effective and
pregnancy massage? I.e. what courses
the results don’t last as long. But the
did you have to take, where did you go?
women still enjoy the time they have
even if it is only an hour of being pain
There are no additional courses needed.
free. In early pregnancy they still find
You learn pregnancy massage as a
the massage enjoyable.
therapist. There may be some
outreaches with pregnancy massage,
working in a hospital/maternity ward.
Is there anything additional you think
It should be taught in the program. It
we should know about pregnancy
could be on an OP exam.
“There are no massage that we haven’t already asked?

additional courses If there isn’t a severe medical

Is there any specific equipment/
needed (to become
facilities that allow you to perform
a pregnancy pregnancy massage?
massage therapist)” No specific equipment required. You
are doing the same thing; you just
modify the way you massage. Modify
the strokes and positioning, possibly
using heat on the lower back in months
5-9. If there are additional medical
issues you may need to modify more.
condition, doing the treatments is more
about the modifications and positioning
changes. You need to keep in mind
working with other medical conditions
that may arise in women during their
pregnancy.
Amanda Kulbaba RMT is the founder of the
Gentle Care Wellness Centre in Scarborough
Ontario. Interview was done November 11,
2008.

Health History Questions for Pregnant Women

1. How is your general health? Is 4. What symptoms are you
there a history of maternal cardiac, experiencing at the present?
renal thyroid, pulmonary,
gastrointestinal or hepatic diseases
5. Make sure you take the clients
or diabetes, placing the fetus or
blood pressure throughout the
mother at some risk for
pregnancy. If signs of pre-
complications ranging from low of
eclampsia or eclampsia are present
high birth weight to potential early
“At what stage is labor?
the woman is immediately referred
to her midwife or physician.
the pregnancy?”
2. At what stage is the pregnancy? Health History Questions from (Rattray,
2000, p. 186)
3. Is there a history of previous
pregnancies? Were there any
complications in the pregnancy or
labor?
Pregnancy Massage Page 5 of 6

Places to get Pregnancy Massage in Barrie

Well Now Massage Therapy and Holistic Lisa Smith
Health Centre RMT

Location: 205 Bayfield Street, Unit 100 Location: 157 Bradford St.
Barrie On, L4M 3B4 Barrie On,
Tel: 705 726-5412 Tel: 705 719-9884
Fax: 705 730-6583 705 725-8632

http://www.wellnowhealth.ca/contact. E-MAIL: info@lisasmithrmt.ca

htm
http://lisasmithrmt.ca/index.php
Adams Massage Therapy Drop-In
Centre, Registered Massage Therapy, The Spat at Horseshoe Resort
Barrie Ontario
Location: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Rd.
Location: 580 Bryne Dr. Unit A2 Barrie On,
Barrie On, L4N 9P6 Tel: 1-800-939-9620
Tel: 705 734-RMTS (7687)
http://www.spaandtravel.com/Barrie/S
http://www.adamsmassagetherapy.com pas/the-spa-at-horseshoe-resort/Spa-
/contact_us.html Services/Pregnancy-Massage-25

Myosite Massage Therapy (2006)

 Pregnancy Massage

References List
1. Bella Maternity Services (2008) Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved
November 11, 2008 from: http://www.bellamaternityservices.com/faq.html

2. Kilson, K. (2008). Doulas and Childbirth. Retrieved November 11, 2008 from:
http://home.earthlink.net/

3. Massage Therapy: Step by Step Guide. (2007). 101 lifestyle. Retrieved

November 5, 2008, from http://www.101lifestyle.com

4. McDermott, T. (2008). Pregnancy Massage: Another Option for Massage

Therapists. Retrieved November 14, 2008 from http://www.articlealley.com/

5. Pregnancy Massage. (2008). Pregnancy-Calendars. Retrieved November 5, 2008

from http://www.pregnancy-calendars.org

6. Pregnancy Massage. (2008).Pygmy Possum. Retrieved November 5, 2008, from

http://www.pygmypossun.com

7. Pregnancy Massage Health Article. (2005-2008). Gale Cengage Learning.

Retrieved November 7, 2008, from http://www.healthline.com

8. Rattray, F., Ludwig, L., (2000, March). Clinical Massage Therapy: Understanding
and Assessing and Treating over 70 Conditions. Ontario: Talus Incorporated

9. Weiss, R. (2008). Oooo, Ahhh – Pregnancy Massage. Retrieved November 4,

2008 from: http://pregnancy.about.com/

Images References List

Beneficial Massage Services. (2006-2008). Retrieved November 11, 2008

Bodyscape Massage Therapy (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2008 from:

http://wesh.cityvoter.com/bodyscape-massage-therapy/biz/7774

Heart of Nature Apothecary (2005). Retrieved November 5, 2008

from: http://heartofnatureapothecary.com/Natal_Body_Care.html (Image in
header on First and Last pages)

Hug.a.bub Baby Carrier. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16, 2008 from:

http://www.hugabub.com/lc/pregnancy_and_birth/30/1

Myosite Massage Therapy. (2006). Retrieved November 11, 2008 from:

http://www.myositemassagetherapy.com/pregnancymassage.html

Nava, S. (n.d.). Willow Centre for Wellness. Retrieved November 16, 2008
from: http://underthewillow.info/default.aspx

OMTA. (2008). Retrieved November 5, 2008 from:

http://www.omta.com/default.asp?id=1073