Pregnancy is a beautiful time of any woman’s life. Although miraculous, it may also be strenuous to the body. Once you become pregnant the hormone relaxin starts to be produced in the body. Relaxin will work throughout the pregnancy to loosen all the ligaments of the pelvis to help the birthing process but, can have negative affects as well. If the mom-to-be has any chronic pain or past injuries the relaxin will loosen what is potentially already stretched from chronic movements. This may cause the mother pain and discomfort around joints throughout the pregnancy. 

Massage can promote relief physically and mentally for any pregnancy. Massage can help increase elasticity in the skin while is being stretched to fit the growing baby, ease discomfort in unstable joints, and release tension in tightened muscles  that are protecting loosened ligaments. Mentally women may not feel like themselves during their pregnancy. Pregnancy massage can help bring body awareness for the women. This may lead to ease of pain and a much happier pregnancy!!

When deciding on getting a massage session for your pregnancy there are a few things to think about. If there is any kind of high risk to the pregnancy massage would be contraindicated in order to ensure safety of both the expecting mother and the growing baby. Typically massage will only be performed in the second trimester, the “safe zone”. The first trimester the mother and child are in the “bonding stage” and are at the highest risk for miscarriage. The third trimester massage may relax and move along the process of birth too early.