In general, the answer is yes.
However, there are some important things you should know before you schedule a session.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
What Is a Pregnancy Massage?
Verywell / Jessica Olah
These needswhich can be hormonal, emotional, and physicalwill change throughout the pregnancy.
In general, there are many types of massage therapy.
Examples includeshiatsu massage,deep tissue massage,sports massage, and Swedish massage.
This can include certain body positions, depending on how far along the pregnancy is.
For example, side-lying positions are normally used during the second and third trimesters.
Lying on the left side is safest for pregnant people, allowing optimal cardiac function and fetal oxygenation.
A prenatal massage usually lasts around 50 to 60 minutes.
Newborns also had lower cortisol levels.
To date, any evidence of these concerns is lacking.
Furthermore, there is no evidence that stimulating certainacupressure pointsorreflexology pointsduring pregnancy will induce labor.
Sitting positions are also possible.
It usually begins after 20 weeks of pregnancy, often causing swelling in the legs (peripheral edema).
It can lead to serious, even fatal, complications for both the mother and baby.
This is a potentially serious condition in which blood clots form in deep veins, typically in the legs.
People with prolonged immobility are at especially high risk of DVT.
There are some conditions and situations that would make it unsafe to have a massage while you’re pregnant.
Before making an appointment, call your insurance company to find out what it might cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my partner give me a pregnancy massage?
They should only be given by a trained, certified prenatal massage therapist.
Where can I get a pregnancy massage?
These certified professionals have additional training beyond the standard education for a licensed massage therapist.
Who should not get a pregnancy massage?
There are many scenarios in which a person should not get a pregnancy massage.
Some of the most common include:
How much does a pregnancy massage cost?
The average cost for a 30- to 60-minute massage is $60 to $100 but can be more.
Insurance usually will not cover a pregnancy massage.
Some may offer discounts or cover part of the cost.
Some plans may cover massage under chiropractic care.
Check with your insurance provider before scheduling your massage.
Patel, S.Is massage safe during pregnancy?UT Southwestern Medical Center.
American Massage Therapy Association.Benefits of massage during pregnancy.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health.Body changes and discomforts.
2016;21(4):402. doi:10.4103/1735-9066.185584
Salamon M.Massage and pregnancy: A powerful combination.
American Massage Therapy Association.
American Massage Therapy Association.Massage therapy and pregnancy: a powerful combination.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice BulletinsObstetrics.ACOG practice bulletin No.
196: thromboembolism in pregnancy.Obstet Gynecol.
2018;132(1):e1-e17.
doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002706
Dosoky NS, Setzer WN.Maternal reproductive toxicity of some essential oils and their constituents.IJMS.
2021;22(5):2380. doi:10.3390/ijms22052380
