Has anyone heard or been told not to have massage during the first trimester? I am between 7-8 weeks and called to make an appt. & was told I either needed doctors note saying I was clear to have one or I needed to wait till second trimester. Kinda ruined my plans for tomorrow :-( I went and got a doctors note but am now kinda worries about getting one.
Post by catsarecute on Jan 17, 2014 16:38:38 GMT -5
I had been regularly getting massages for a year (an awesome birthday present!) when I got my BFP but avoided them during the first trimester because I read mixed reviews about it. I actually haven't been back for a massage yet because the only person who does prenatal massages at my go-to spa isn't very good!
My thinking is if it is going to give you anxiety or make you question your decision, don't do it. For me, the worry wasn't worth it!
Most places will not do a prenatal massage in the first tri, and I recently have been looking at a lot of places to get one in the third tri. I would probably skip it. Sorry, I know that isn't fun.
On this subject, what exactly is a prenatal massage? Like regular except on a table with a belly cutout? I would love to get one, but I have a ton of acne on my back (thanks, hormones)...doesn't hurt except sometimes at my bra strap, but I'm concerned that it wouldn't feel good...
On this subject, what exactly is a prenatal massage? Like regular except on a table with a belly cutout? I would love to get one, but I have a ton of acne on my back (thanks, hormones)...doesn't hurt except sometimes at my bra strap, but I'm concerned that it wouldn't feel good...
I've had a couple prenatal massages, and both were done with me on my side, supported by pillows, and on my back with the table angled so my top half was raised up. I've heard that you shouldn't go somewhere that uses the table with the belly cut out, because that can add stress to your lower back when they are pressing there. Other than my positioning, the massage was the same as when not pregnant (and they were absolutely heavenly!)
I've heard you should avoid massages during the 1st tri, too, but I'm not sure why.
I've had a couple prenatal massages, and both were done with me on my side, supported by pillows, and on my back with the table angled so my top half was raised up. I've heard that you shouldn't go somewhere that uses the table with the belly cut out, because that can add stress to your lower back when they are pressing there.
Interesting, thanks. I had a place in mind, will have to find out how they do it.
Yep - my regular place told me the same as you. After reading some mixed reviews, I cancelled to be on the safe side. 2nd tri will be here before you know it, though!
Post by formerlyak on Jan 17, 2014 19:32:47 GMT -5
The "wait until after the first trimester" is a pretty old-school way of thinking according to my doc and several friends who do prenatal massage. The old way of thinking was that there were certain pressure points in the body that could cause a miscarriage in the first trimester. This is has been shown to be false and then docs and spas started lightening up on the rule. I did get one in my first trimester. At that point, there was no real difference between a regular massage and the one I got except that she's check in with me more to see if I was ok laying in the regular positions so she could reposition me if needed, she didn't use quite as much pressure and she didn't use any scented oils.
In my second trimester, I had a few. They used the pillows to position me on my side and did one half of my body and then the other instead of front of body and then back. Again no scented oils.
Also, if you go to a spa with a whirlpool and saunas and such, they will not let you use those. Mine offers a free prenatal bath as an alternate.
The "wait until after the first trimester" is a pretty old-school way of thinking according to my doc and several friends who do prenatal massage. The old way of thinking was that there were certain pressure points in the body that could cause a miscarriage in the first trimester. This is has been shown to be false and then docs and spas started lightening up on the rule. I did get one in my first trimester.
I'm late to the party here but I did the same thing--but I was literally in the room w the masseuse about to get on the table when I told her I was pregnant and she kinda flipped out that I was in my fist tri. It hadn't even occurred to me that it would be an issue! She modified the massage and didn't do any foot reflexology, and I went with it
Post by speckledfrog on Jan 18, 2014 9:57:41 GMT -5
I think a lot of places don't want to do them in the first trimester because your risk of loss is so much higher. No one wants to get the blame for that.
I got one last time and they had a belly pillow. I was a little nervous since I heard it could be more stressful on your belly, but it probably depends on how far along you are. It was fine and I'll be getting one there this time as well.
I had massages all through the first trimester because I didn't know not to - it just never occured to me that it could be bad. That being said, check with your doctor.
The "wait until after the first trimester" is a pretty old-school way of thinking according to my doc and several friends who do prenatal massage. The old way of thinking was that there were certain pressure points in the body that could cause a miscarriage in the first trimester. This is has been shown to be false and then docs and spas started lightening up on the rule. I did get one in my first trimester.
I'm late to the party here but I did the same thing--but I was literally in the room w the masseuse about to get on the table when I told her I was pregnant and she kinda flipped out that I was in my fist tri. It hadn't even occurred to me that it would be an issue! She modified the massage and didn't do any foot reflexology, and I went with it
Most places won't do a massage during first tri purely for liability reasons. Since most miscarriages occur during first tri, as a business they don't want any type of association should a client have one.