There is no extra Charge for Pregnancy Massage


             What to expect in a massage therapy session

                          First trimester Pregnancy

 Usually your belly isn't showing in the first 3 months, therefore lying prone (on your belly) won't be a problem. The awesome thing is Melissa has the pillow system which is much better for any sized woman. There are hole for your breasts and it's a much larger, more supportive pillow, so if you are worried about your growing belly, don't!

                   Second and Third Trimesters Pregnancy

As the baby grows bigger, so does the belly. Since there isn't that much room a woman's body, so as the baby continues to grow in such a small space, you will start to feel like your little bundle of joy is moving in.

Lying on your belly is definitely out of the question! That is if you were to lie on a massage table alone. To help, I have the The body cushion which is perfect with positioning and support of your belly.

Before the pillow system, Melissa would have you lie on your left side first. Many women are unaware that lying on the right side for a long period of time can be fatal, especially if you are high risk pregnancy! Your baby could impinge your aortic artery and/or vein* and seriously injure you or worse! But with that said, you can lie on your right side for short periods of time, especially if you slide a wedge or lie so that you are half on your back and half on your side. The idea is to shift your baby away from the artery/vein.

With the body cushion, you can now lie face down! Click on the pictures to the right to view how it works! (note that the table will be dressed in sheets and a blanket, in the video the cushion is shown for demonstration purposes.)
Swelling is another “fun” thing that pregnant woman get. Massage therapy will help reduce the inflammation located in your hands or feet!

  *the Aortic artery supplies your lower body with blood; the aortic vein brings the blood back to your heart.
  ** videos from Body support website**
 

CI ^

-Abdominal and sacral massage is compromised of only light strokes or should be avoided, if the risk of miscarriage is present during the 1st trimester

-Deep massage and fascial techniques are CI over the low back during the first trimester

 -Avoid deep massage over varicose veins

 -Massage is CI if a change in BP is noted and if it is combined with other symptoms of pre-eclampsia

-If the client has diabetes, a snack or juice should be eaten prior to treatment to maintain blood sugar levels

- In the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, the client must be carefully positioned on her back to avoid compression of the aorta and inferior vena cava. If nausea or discomfort is experienced, despite appropriate modifications, the position is changed to side ling or seated, or the treatment is discontinued

^ Information taken from: Clinical Massage Therapy; understanding, assessing and treating over 70 conditions, by Rattray and Ludwig
 

Melissa TsuLin Thompson RMT