I am studying massage, and have just done a subject in pregnancy massage.

Most of it has already been said here re: accupressure points (google them for a map of spots if you like... good to use yourself when you are at the end also.. i'm already geering up for it).

Otherwise deep massage is contraindicated in the lower back (when the lumbar spine is.. not only cos the baby is right there, but also because that part of your spine softens a lot with pregnancy, and you can do damage). Also, no deep work in the calves, there are a few points in there.

But i would only go to somebody who has special training in pregnancy massage, as they need to know about side lying positions etc.

My teacher runs a big course where a lot of ppl from other schools etc come to, she isn't a fan on the pregnancy mats, as she feels they really don't provide proper support to the lumbar spine. Instead we were taught about how to correctly position the pillows (we use about 5, if not more in class), which is exactly what the mats are, but it did feel a lot better.

So just because somebody doesn' have the mat, doesn't mean they don't know how to give pregnancy massage, but they should hold a certificate in pregnancy massage recognized by the AAMT... I guess it's each to their own on whether you find the mats more comfy....

I'm going to road test that one when i'm like 36 weeks and try out a few places, and decide what i'm going to do in my business based on that... The best thing about the subject i did was i was the only pregnant lady there, so i got to be the body for all the demonstrations