Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy massage, also called prenatal or maternity massage, is adapted throughout for a changing body. The therapist positions you on your side with pillows and bolsters, or on a couch with a cut-out, never flat on your back after the first trimester, and uses gentle Swedish-style strokes with light to medium pressure. Certain areas and essential oils are avoided.

It addresses the complaints that come with pregnancy rather than general tension: lower back and pelvic ache, sciatic pain, swollen legs and feet, tight shoulders from a changing centre of gravity, and broken sleep. Many midwives recommend it from the second trimester, and some therapists also offer postnatal massage in the weeks after birth.

Look for a therapist with a specific pregnancy massage qualification, which most list on their profile, and expect a short consultation about how the pregnancy is going before the first session. Sessions are 60 minutes and, because getting to an appointment becomes harder later on, mobile treatment at home is common.