Prenatal Massage:
Care for the Well-being of Expecting Mothers
Pregnant women often experience pain, muscle tension, and swelling. Additionally, they are subjected to high levels of psychological stress as a result of stress, insomnia, anxiety, hormonal changes, and the body’s inability to cope with additional functions can occur.
During pregnancy, women experience a shift in their center of gravity, which can lead to the development of lordosis, back pain, and muscle tension.
This is why prenatal massage is becoming increasingly popular.
Prenatal massages are a special type of massage designed for women during pregnancy. A properly conducted massage session helps pregnant women alleviate depression, insomnia, and irritability. Blood stasis is eliminated, reducing aches and pains in the neck and lower back muscles.
Maternity Massage: What Sets It Apart?
Massage for prenatal care comes with distinct features:
- The technique involves gentle pressure, similar to Swedish massage. Movements are performed with relaxed hands without excessive force or pressure.
- Kneading is completely avoided for this type of massage, and vibration is performed with shallow, light fingertip movements.
- A prenatal massage therapist focuses on the lower back, hips, and legs.
A crucial aspect is the positioning of the pregnant woman during the massage. Many massage specialists recommend lying on one side as the safest and most comfortable position for pregnant women. This position helps avoid excessive pressure on the abdomen and uterus.
You can use essential oils for greater effectiveness during the massage. These rubs enhance skin elasticity and firmness, promote better oxygenation of cells, facilitate the removal of waste products, and reduce the risk of varicose vein expansion.

Prenatal Massage Therapy:
Impact on Health
The benefits of prenatal massage extend far beyond relaxation and muscle pain relief. Massage therapy also has a positive impact on pregnancy and childbirth.
Let’s take a closer look at how massage can affect the health of pregnant women:
- Relieves stress and reduces pain: Pregnancy often comes with stress, increased irritability, and discomfort in various body areas due to weight changes, hormonal fluctuations, and pressure on different tissues and organs. Prenatal massage helps relieve tension and reduce pain in the back, neck, shoulders, legs, and other body parts.
- Improves circulation and lymphatic flow: Massage stimulates blood flow and positively affects blood circulation, helping to oxygenate tissues and provide them with nutrients while improving toxin removal through the lymphatic system.
- Enhances emotional well-being: Pregnancy massage promotes the release of oxytocin, known as the "love hormone." It helps reduce stress levels, improve mood, and alleviate depression.
- Maintains a healthy sleep pattern: Massage therapist movements help relax and improve sleep quality, which is especially important for pregnant women suffering from insomnia or other sleep disturbances.
- Reduces swelling: Prenatal massage can help women get rid of swelling, which is often an inevitable part of pregnancy and causes discomfort and mobility issues.
Experience the benefits of prenatal massage firsthand by scheduling a session.
Feel the power
of Classic Massage Services
Relax and recover with a full body massage in Chicago.
Precautions
When Performing Massage Techniques

Prenatal massage offers numerous benefits to expectant mothers, but like any therapy, it requires careful consideration and adherence to safety measures to ensure both effectiveness and safety.
Before performing prenatal massage, it’s important to consult with a doctor who oversees the pregnancy and the growing baby. This is necessary to determine if the massage is suitable for the current health condition of the expectant mother and the stage of pregnancy. The doctor will explain what to expect and how to adapt the massage to specific needs, ensuring the safety of both mother and child.
Certified Prenatal Massage:
Contraindications
Some conditions require prior consultation with a healthcare provider before undergoing prenatal massage:
- The first trimester and the ninth month of pregnancy (massage is strictly contraindicated in the first 3 months of pregnancy, including due to the process of placental formation and organogenesis, as well as possibility of vomiting).
- Symptoms of preeclampsia and eclampsia.
- Manifestations of toxemia.
- Threat of miscarriage.
- Fetal developmental defects.
- Uterine retroversion.
- Inflammatory processes.
- Infectious diseases.
- Elevated body temperature.
- Chronic diseases in the acute stage.
- High or unstable blood pressure.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Benign and malignant neoplasms.
- Leukemia.
- Anemia (associated with iron and folic acid deficiency).
- Lymphomas.
- Acute kidney failure.
- Congenital kidney defects.
- Nephrolithiasis.
- Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis.
- Renal colic.
- Diabetic nephropathy.
- Pancreatitis.
- Bleeding.
- Hemorrhagic disorder.
- Asthma.
- Intestinal disorders and other illnesses.
- Any discomforts reported by the pregnant woman.
Prenatal massage can exacerbate all of the above symptoms and increase the risk of complications.
Therapeutic Relaxing Prenatal Massage for Maternal Health
The body during pregnancy undergoes significant physiological changes. There is also a shift in the woman’s psychological state: new emotions may arise, often changing, and feelings of fear and anxiety can develop. It’s essential to take care of both physical and mental health during this period, and prenatal massage can be crucial in achieving this.
Massage therapy can help relax tense muscles, release trapped nerves, and improve circulation, thereby reducing stress levels, pain, and discomfort.
To ensure that massage procedures are maximally beneficial and effective, it is recommended to entrust them to a specially trained massage therapist. At “Massage Bliss and Bodywork” experienced and qualified specialists provide high-quality massage services in Chicago, IL.

Treat yourself to a beneficial procedure and visit our studio for a prenatal massage!
FAQ
Prenatal massage is safe in the second and third trimesters. However, each pregnancy is individual, so it is important to consult with a doctor before starting the procedure.
Prenatal massage can help you reduce stress, neck pain, back pain, and leg discomfort, improve sleep, decrease anxiety symptoms, and prepare the body for childbirth.
Yes, there are several contraindications, including premature contractions, high blood pressure, circulatory problems, infectious diseases, and other pathological conditions. It is essential to consult with a doctor before starting prenatal massage.