f you're pregnant - or ever have been - you may have wondered about the benefit and safety involved with a prenatal massage. You're aware that the extra weight you're carrying creates major changes in your body, especially the added stress on your abdominal muscles, shoulders, neck and back. It also affects your ligaments by relaxing them, making your pelvic joints less stable and changing your posture by pulling your pelvis forward.

Prenatal massage therapy is even being recommended by doctors as an important component of a prenatal health routine. But before including it in your regimen, be sure to take the time to research your options and choose an experienced massage therapist to administer your prenatal massage. Not every therapist who is trained in massage techniques is qualified to perform a prenatal massage.

This is where a great massage therapist - trained in the techniques of prenatal massage - comes into the picture. Below are some of the advantages that pregnant women enjoy with prenatal massage therapy.They felt an overall feeling of increased well-being and decreased stress as a result of their prenatal massage.

A lot of pregnant women claimed that the leg cramps, headaches, stiff necks, backaches and pains in the joints were reduced.

With a reduction in their tension level, many also reported that they were getting a better night's sleep after getting a prenatal massage.Increased immunity and the removal of excess pollutants from the body is another benefit.

Doctors report that the technique stabilizes the level of hormones in a woman's body, reducing the number of problems during the birth process.

A prenatal massage addresses inflamed nerves, thereby reducing sciatic nerve pain and/or tension in the muscles.

Many women have reported that it eliminated anxiety and depression.

There is a definite skill required to administer a prenatal massage. The therapist must be able to locate the affected area and address it with the right amount of pressure, at the right time in your pregnancy cycle. Massage therapists who are properly trained in prenatal massage therapy know which areas need attention and in which trimester.

Let's examine the benefits of a prenatal massage at the various stages in your pregnancy:
In trimester #1, a prenatal massage will:

Headache relief;

Reduces incidences of morning sickness;

Relieves tiredness by increasing energy level.

Second Trimester:

Reduce pain from backaches;

Relieve pain associated with cramping in the legs.

Third Trimester:

Reduces swelling;

Eliminates pain caused by varicosities;

Improves a woman's sleep pattern;

Strengthens the pelvic muscles in preparation for giving birth.During a prenatal massage, your therapist will ask that you lie on your side the later ask that you move into a reclining position to target the front of your body. During trimester #1, it's fine to lie on your back during your prenatal massage with one hip slightly elevated to reduce the strain placed on your pelvic and lower back areas. Most therapists will provide a specially-designed support pillow or a hollowed-out cushion (for your growing abdominal area) during the massage to assist with proper positioning.

Prenatal massage is not for every woman during pregnancy, but most find it to be a vital part of their healthy routine. If, however, you have any discomfort while your therapist is performing the massage, tell them immediately.