As a Certified Pregnancy Massage Therapist, I'm always looking to improve my pregnancy massage services. I'd like to put a question out there for moms-to-be: What are your must-haves for a pregnancy massage? This could be anything from a lowered massage table, specific room temperature to lotion/oil preference. I'd appreciate any responses!
S. Lasch, CMT, LMT, CPMT
Thank you so much for the feedback on this very-important question! I do use specialty pregnancy bolsters with the abdomen cut-outs, which is great for my clients. I also do a lot of side-lying massage and find they fall asleep so much better and are truly in a "zone".
I'm grateful for your insights - if there's anything else you think of let me know. I really liked the idea of lotion and warm socks. I do paraffin foot dips which has been a hit, and that keeps feet very warm, but I like the lotion and socks idea, too! Thanks again!
bless you for having the pregnancy bolsters with the cut outs. I would advertise that if I were you. I am in Madison WI and haven't been able to find anyone that has them. It would be so nice to lay face down!!
During my massage she had me lay on my back first (with a pillow under my knees) and rubbed my face, head & neck. Great way to start relaxing.
Then she had me spend a lot of time on my side since she did't have a drop out table for my belly. But I was really comfortable with a body pillow between my legs and cuddled in my arms, then a pillow under my head.
Hi!
I woke up THIS morning thinking that I would call about changing my 2 year old gift certificate for a massage to a facial. My darling husband gave it to me two Valentine Days ago and I was 3 months post pardum and breastfeeding. I thought how miserable it would be to lie on my stomach with sore leaky breasts. I breastfed for a year and now that I want to go again, I'm almost 4 months pregnant. If I knew that there was either a belly cut-out for pregnancy or a breast cut-out for pregnancy/breastfeeding tenderness, I would have booked my apt. a long time ago!
Thanks for asking and trying to improve a vital service to preggo moms!
And, ask your clients if they prefer to be talked to. So many great massages have been ruined by the Therapist talking on and on. A big complaint among many of my friends!
Hi Stephanie - how thoughtful for your clients! For me, I need oils or lotions with as close to NO scent as you can get them. My schnoz is super sensitive right now (like I can smell my hubby opening a can of tuna in the kitchen when I am upstairs at the other end of the house - no joke). So strong scents of any kind - even "good" ones - make my stomach turn over.
Also for me, I don't like anyone save for my hubby to touch my tummy. I think its just a 'mama bear' protection thing.
Other than that I always look forward to my massages after 1st tri. In fact.... maybe I should schedule one right now! :D
while this was more critical for my post natal massages, a breast cut out pillow was essential. helped with tenderness and concerns about milk leakage.
Stephanie,
I had a prenatal massage with my second where he used a heat pad under me, and then applied hot stones to my back. In theory, this was great - it felt good, but I became totally over heated. So - I would say, watch the room temperature and be careful not to add too much heat. Pregnant women over heat easy!
Also - starting with a glass of water would be good to prevent overheating.
I also had a massage with my 3rd where the whole massage was done on my side. I liked that, she gave me a pillow for between my legs, and spent a lot of time on my hips/lower back. That was great.
Jessica
The prenatal massages I've had never included a lotion applied to my feet, followed by fresh warm socks...this would have been a great way to start the sessions. I just remember my feet would always get cold. Also, it was great to have a massage on a table with the belly cut-out so I could lay face-down...something you can't do while pregnant. I'm sure you play music...it is a MUST for me...so if you don't, then perhaps try this. I really enjoyed hot stones on my legs. It also was great to hear encouraging things about the benefits of massage while getting a massage (i.e., talking about circulation improving, helping prepare for ease of delivery, et cetera).
I would say to have the option of scent-free oils since many women have issues with perfumes and stronger scents...especially while pregnant. I also agree with the other response on postnatal massage and a pillow cut out for breasts! This was a huge issue for me after I had a baby and got a massage.
A massage table that enables us to lay on our stomach!!!!! I missed that so much while I was pregnant.
One of my favorite thing about getting a massage is the atmosphere, a warm room, dim lighting, relaxing music, aromatic oils. The couple of times that I've had a prenatal massage lately, it's been a bit more...I'm not sure what the right word is...clinical maybe. I'd much rather have the pampering atmosphere, like a spa relaxation massage. A belly cut-out would be great. Unlike the previous response, I actually do not like talking during the massage, I prefer it limited to directives only.
