Anyone had a pregnancy massage?

[blessedatlast]

I love massages. If I get one I go to the chinese places in the shopping centre and they really dig in deep and I love it. Today I am in heaps of pain with my neck, it is so bad it is causing a bad headache. I have an appointment with the chiropractor, but I feel like I need a full body rub, as I feel pain right from my legs up to my lower back and up. I know you aren't supposed to go for deep tissue massages so i thought I might give a pregnancy massage a try, but they more expensive and I don't want to waste my $$. Any experiences to share?

[LysnDan]

Just make sure they don't use oils that aren't recommended in pregnancy.

Hope your headache and pain goes soon.


Sent from my iPhone (via Tapatalk) so please forgive the spelling mistakes...

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

I had one and it was HEAVEN. the price was pretty good and they had a special chair, i nearly fell asleep
They also say to avoid certain pressure points while PG so def go for a proper massage parlor with a specialised PG massage.

[Redhead]

I have just booked in for my first this Saturday!
Really looking forward to it.
If I can find this thread next week, will let you know how it goes.

[Kazzo]

I had one when I was 32weeks and LOVED it. I went to a great place. They had a special pillow that let me lay on my belly and she used warmed baby oil. I paid $65 for 1 hour and it was well worth it.

Go for it

[blessedatlast]

Sounds tempting. Average price here is $75 for an hour, but I did find one place offering a special of 2 hour long massages for $125. I might have to redo my budget lol.

ZF - Yes I would definitely go somewhere that specialises in pregnancy massage.

Lysndan - The place I am looking at going run baby massage etc too, and she is a midwife. I am pretty sure they would know what to use but I'll check anyway.

Thanks everyone for replying

[M22]

I have had one too at the peninsula springs-- it is the best and i could lie on my tummy too!!!

[peanutter]

I had one on our babymoon in Daylesford.

It cost a fair whack, but I love massages, and it was worth it.

They had these thick foam/latex/whatever pads that went on top of the bed, and had a hole where the belly went through! So belly was suppoted by the bed, but you were lying on the pads - worked well. And it meant that they could massage all shoulders, back, thighs, etc.

They only used particular oils and techniques and avoided certain spots.

But I had to ring around a bit to find places which have people who specialise in pg massages, as I didn't want to take any risks.

[Artechim]

I had one first pregnancy near the end and it was too light really to be any good. I wanted them to get all the sore/tired out of my back and neck muscles but she just did a light little rub using the tips of her fingers.

I had a free massage from a reflexologist/massage friend at about 20 weeks this pregnancy and while the massage was good while it was happening, afterwards I felt really really sick! I was nauseated all weekend and my kidneys ached - I can only think that there were toxins built up in my extremities that she got flowing?? Anyhow, now I am too scared to go for another!

[surprised]

I had a few last pregnancy and hope to have some this time too. The place I went to actually has a removable section of the table, so you lie as normal with your belly poking through the hole. I would have paid just to be able to lie on it for a while!!

[human bean]

I had two in the last 2 weeks I was past my EDD. Absolute bliss, and being able to lay with my belly resting in the table dip was fantastic. My doula does them so she knew all the right moves and how much pressure to use, believe me she wasn't too light handed.

Next pregnancy I will be getting them much earlier on! Enjoy it when you do

[onthefly]

I had one and it was wonderful.

[jackrose]

I am not sure where you are but I can recommend someone very good in Melbourne.

The problem with massage is that the industry is not regulated properly so anyone can hang up a sign and say that they are a massage therapist, say they specialise in anything they want including pregnancy massage and they are off and running. I am part of the industry and have done 4 years of study and it really upsets me that there can be a person set up next to me quoting the same label who has maybe done a weekend course. Of course, there are a lot more legit therapists out there than shonky ones but the fact is it does happen. The reason it is not regulated like other health care industries is because it is not believed that you can cause much damage to someone with a massage treatment (think, in comparison to a Chiropractic adjustment if done without training etc) The industry is left to regulate itself so it is difficult to do anything about people working without training or training with worthless qualifications.

So, all that said, if you are going to get a massage (generally or pregnancy) it is worth checking the credentials of the therapist, checking they have health fund rebates (you have to do a minimum training to be accepted by health funds for rebates) or go by a word of mouth referral. Even with a trained individual there can be a world of difference in skill just as in any occupation. In pregnancy the therapist needs to avoid certain areas of the body and take things cautiously but there is no reason they could not take care of your headaches and leave you feeling relaxed and relieved all over if they know what they are doing.

Sorry about the little soap box rant, but I find that the confusion around the industry is mostly because people are just so unaware of how dodgy some operators are.

ETA, sometimes just health fund rebates are not a good indication of qualification as the 'clinic' or 'salon' will just put everyone through on a qualified therapists name. Highly dodgy. Best to check that the threrapsit belongs to and industry body such as AAMT (Aust Association of Massage Therapists) MAA (Massage Association Australia) or IRMA (Institute of Registered Myotherapists of Australia) You HAVE to have minimum qualifications and keep up with professional development to be a member.

[peanutter]

My doula does them so she knew all the right moves and how much pressure to use, believe me she wasn't too light handed.

hey brilliant idea: find a doula who can do them!!