History

• Massage during pregnancy was popular in just about every tribal civilization in the world. During the mid-1880s, an anthropologist named George Englemann wrote about these tribal practices. Pregnancy massage was described by midwives during medieval times. The idea of pre-natal massage has become quite popular recently as well.
  
  

Function

• Because of the harsh consequences of being pregnant, many women welcome the chance at getting a massage. Not only does a good massage feel wonderful, but can keep the woman relaxed and help such symptoms as lower back pain, calf cramps, headaches and many other conditions caused by being pregnant.
  
  

Types

• Massage for pregnant women changes depending on what phase of the pregnancy the woman is in. Prenatal massage can help increase blood flow and make for a more relaxing pregnancy. Labor massage is given to a woman as she lays on her side as she is in labor. This can help calm nerves and reduce some discomfort for the expectant mother. Post-Pregnancy massage is also very important because it helps to balance out the body structure after pregnancy and can help a woman get back into her daily routine.
  
  

Considerations

• Massage given to a pregnant woman should be done by a trained pre-natal professional, preferably recommended by your doctor. While massage during pregnancy can be extremely beneficial, if done improperly could cause more problems than is necessary. Positioning of the body and the pressure of the massage should be taken into consideration, and the massage professional should be sensitive to any sudden pain or nausea that appears to be due to the massage.
  
  

Benefits

• The benefits of massage during pregnancy are tremendous. Not only can massage during pregnancy increase blood flow, but the manipulation of soft tissues, stroking and stretching of muscle tissue and ligaments can be a healthy way to relax. The muscles become more pliable and thus less tense. A relaxed mom is so much better for the health of the baby!
  
  

Precautions

• It is important to avoid deep abdominal massage and deep leg massage during pregnancy, especially during the first few days. During the first few days of pregnancy, the morula (or conceptus) floats freely in the womb looking for a place to attach to the uterine wall. At this point the pregnancy is somewhat fragile so any trauma to the abdomen can potentially cause s miscarriage. If you have any unusual pain due to the massage, you should contact your primary care physician to see if you should continue.
  
  

Potential

• The potential of pregnancy massage has far reaching possibilities. As we learn more about the health benefits of massage, we can continue to train massage professionals to safely cater to woman who are pregnant. It is important that massage professionals know how to be sensitive to each pregnancy, as no pregnancy is the same as the last.
  
  If you are having a difficult pregnancy, it may be worth your while to ask your doctor about the potential of massage. Your doctor can recommend reputable pre-natal massage professionals who can help ease the discomfort of your pregnancy. You may find that your doctor makes it a mandatory part of your pregnancy!