Is Massage Therapy Safe During the 1st Trimester of Pregnancy?

When you find out about a pregnancy, your awareness begins to include the new baby and changes it will set into motion from this moment on. Each new decision is weighed with a new set of priorities, including concern for things that could impact the health of your baby. Visiting a doctor or midwife provides a great resource as you progress through changes in your lifestyle. Examining natural health ideas, nutrition changes & exercise such as Prenatal Yoga are wonderful choices that can be implemented immediately, and you can seek advice from experienced prenatal practitioners (Naturopath, Massage Therapist, Chiropractor, etc) to address and prevent various concerns.

Massage Therapy during the 1st trimester of pregnancy is completely safe, and treatment can be focused in a number of different ways. Some clients are looking to continue treatment on problem areas such as neck or shoulder pain, and treatment will only affect pregnancy in later stages where positioning to accommodate the belly and circulation become factors. Others are ready to receive massage as a form of whole-body treatment that helps bring balance and comfort. Postural shifts can affect the sciatic nerve, low back and pelvis, so starting early with releasing strained muscles and proper strengthening exercises can minimize changes and possible discomfort associated with pregnancy.

In the 1st trimester, during the first two weeks nausea and fatigue may begin with symptoms ranging from light to severe. This is due to hormonal changes, and some hormones cause nausea. In the tenth week, the hormone relaxin starts to be released and over time will affect the structural stability of the joints, which in the 2nd and 3rd trimester can impact the sacroiliac joint, pubic symphysis and hips. As a pregnancy progresses through the 1st trimester, the woman's metabolic rate and blood volume increase, and she may be feeling intestinal discomfort and other changes. Massage techniques will be altered to avoid putting pressure on joints or overstretch muscles and tendons in any area. Anxiety and stress during the 1st trimester is common, and Massage Therapy has many additional benefits that last well beyond pregnancy. A therapist's goal is to help educate and offer sound, beneficial advice directly related to your needs.

Each phase is an opportunity to learn more about how the baby develops, and how to take even better care of yourself. Lasting changes are even more beneficial when mixed with a calm and caring approach to self-care. Take on new routines slowly, and allow time for rest and planning. The lifelong tools needed to restore a balanced body and mind include quiet time for yourself, and taking care of your body. Massage Therapy with a Registered Massage Therapist is safe at every stage of pregnancy, and making a habit of treating aches and pains can provide much needed relief over the years. Reflexology offers a different approach to massage, and there are certain points around the ankle, foot and sacrum that are not recommended to be massaged during pregnancy, although it is not contraindicated unless your pregnancy is high-risk. Lori Chamberland, a certified Reflexologist & Therapeutic Yoga Instructor at Metta Massage & Yoga Clinc recommends Reflexology as post pregnancy treatment to assist rebalancing hormones, boosting the immune system, helping to remove excess fluids from the body and relaxing tense muscles from carrying around a baby and breastfeeding in awkward new Mom positions!

Try using aromatherapy for stress-relief at home. It's easy to do and costs very little. Massage Therapy in an unscented treatment room maybe appealing if you have nausea because using essential oils permeates a room for many hours, affecting all who enter. As a Massage Therapist, I do not use essential oils in the clinic, and keep treatment space natural and neutral. I recommend using essential oils at home for foot massage, in a warm bath and in natural cleaning recipes. The following is a list of essential oils that may be helpful during pregnancy:

Tangerine

Lemon

Tea Tree

Ylang-ylang

Mandarin

These essential oils are not recommended during pregnancy for their contraction stimulating properties:

Arnica

Clary sage

Fennel

Jasmine

Juniper

Inform your therapist about your pregnancy and current state of health and it will create an opportunity for long-term support. Prenatal Massage, Prenatal Yoga and Reflexology are available at Metta Massage & Yoga Clinic with on-line booking at www.mettamassage.com

In the next issues, I will be examining issues related to Prenatal Massage in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. During these next 9 months, we will follow the progression of physiological changes for both mother and baby. Watch for future articles discussing post-natal issues such as postural changes and regaining strength with baby. For pdf archives of all issues of "From Belly to Baby", visit our website at www.frombellytobaby.ca.