As a pregnant woman, you have to take special care when participating in most activities. Even massage therapy can be risky if it’s not performed by a trained professional. However, visiting a licensed therapist with training in prenatal massage can offer many benefits during your pregnancy. Use the guide below to learn how you can safely incorporate regular massages into your prenatal care. 

What Are the Benefits of Scheduling Massages While Pregnant?

Hormone shifts during pregnancy cause many uncomfortable skeletal and circulatory changes. Massage therapy helps alter these effects by increasing the feel-good hormones—dopamine and serotonin—in the body and decreasing those associated with stress, particularly norepinephrine and cortisol. This has been shown to help regulate mood, improve cardiovascular health, and lead to fewer complications during birth. 

Regular massage also reduces swelling that occurs during pregnancy by stimulating soft tissues and reducing fluid collection in the swollen joints. The massage therapist can also release tension on nearby muscles to help reduce nerve inflammation that is known to occur as the uterus swells.

What Precautions Should Be Taken?

Before seeking out a massage therapist, speak with your doctor about the pros and cons in your specific case. If they approve, seek out massage professionals who are licensed. If you are in your first trimester, don’t be alarmed if the therapist won’t see you right away. Many prefer to wait until after the first 12 weeks to reduce any risk of miscarriage.

During the massage, it’s best to avoid laying on your stomach—even if the table has a hole. It’s possible for the sides to put pressure on your abdomen, and laying in this position can cause the uterine ligaments to stretch. In many instances, laying on your side is best unless the therapist has a better suggestion. 

If you want to relieve some of the bodily stress your pregnancy is causing, contact Zoe’s Zen Time in Shawano, WI, about scheduling a massage. Owner Zoe Zimmerman is a licensed massage therapist and registered nurse. She is well-acquainted with human anatomy and wellness and specializes in several massage types, including Swedish, deep tissue, reiki, and reflexology. Call (715) 304-6137 today to schedule an appointment, and visit her website for more information about her services.