As a massage therapist who specializes in pregnancy massage I hear plenty of stories from women who go from practitioner to practitioner looking for that massage therapist who works wonders for the pregnant body. The stories about horrible massages can be quite humorous and some are quite dramatic. All could have been avoided had these women known what to look for when seeking out a specialist in pregnancy massage.
Massage during pregnancy is good for both you and your baby
Finding the right therapist does require a bit of extra work, but it will be worth it in the long run when you’ve saved a couple hundred dollars by not getting a less than stellar massage from a therapist (or a few massage therapists) you know nothing about. Here are some suggestions when seeking out a great one:
Check out their website. Go to the “About Me” page and see what they have listed there. There should be a mention of pregnancy massage somewhere in the therapist’s list of qualifications or specialties. You can get an idea of how much they do pregnancy massage by noticing how high or low on the list it is. If it’s higher they probably do a moderate amount of pregnancy massage. Lower: not so much.
The order can also give us a clue as to how much they like doing pregnancy massage. If it’s near the top you can bet it’s one of their preferred modalities, if it’s lower, probably not. If pregnancy massage is not listed at all, I suggest moving on.
See if they have specific training for pregnancy massage listed on their website. Massage therapists are proud of their additional training and rightly so. It shows a dedication to the craft and a desire to improve their skills. Most massage schools have a short introductory session on pregnancy massage, but it is usually not enough to make the average therapist proficient and confident in it. A therapist who seeks out addition training is probably one who likes doing it and is good at it too.
Call them and talk to them. Sometimes there’s not enough room to list all qualifications in a short bio on a website, especially if there are multiple therapist in the practice or wellness center. If a therapist mentions pregnancy massage in their bio but not specifics, call them and have a chat. Most likely, they will be more than willing to talk to you about their skills and experience.
Most wellness centers have a receptionist and he or she will be the first person you talk to. Remember that it’s their job to book the session and will most definitely say yes if you ask if any of the therapists do pregnancy massage. Dig a little deeper and ask which ones, what are their qualifications and would that therapist be able to answer your questions over the phone. Be persistent, and be patient. The extra time it takes to talk to a therapist over the phone will more likely result in you finding a good therapist without having to spend a lot on money on poor ones first.
When you do get the therapist on the phone, here are some questions to help you get the right answers:
“Do you have training in pregnancy massage? What was it and how long was the program?”
A program with, at the very least, 16 hours, will get you a decent enough pregnancy massage therapist. The more hours the better, in my opinion. This ensures that they have plenty of hands on training to address to pregnant body as well as the needed information and education about pregnancy to keep both you and the baby safe.
“How many pregnancy massages do you do during and average week/month?”
The more experience a therapist has doing pregnancy massage the more likely they are to be good at it, and a massage therapist who is confidant in their abilities makes for a better overall massage experience.
“How will you position me during the massage?”
There a few variations that can happen here. Some therapists may only do side-lying massage, some may have pillows or a cushioning system that allow a pregnant woman to lie on her stomach for a portion of the massage session. There is also a table with a whole cut out in the center that allows the pregnant belly space for the mother to lie on her stomach as well. There are varying opinions on the comfortableness of these methods. Some women do not like having to lie on their sides for the duration of the session and prefer a support system that allows them to lie safely on their stomach for at least part of the time. Others do not like the table with the cut out for the belly because it is a ‘one size fits all’ table and some feel as though they are falling through the hole. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to go get a massage and see what works. The therapist should be willing to help you find the most comfortable position for you.
A Word of caution: pregnant women should not be positioned on their backs for a massage after about the 15th through 17th week of pregnancy and beyond. Therapists are able to work around this by doing a combination of semi-reclined and side-lying positioning or just side-lying. If the therapist mentions lying on your back in the late second and third trimester, I recommend finding another therapist.
What if I have a high-risk pregnancy? Can I still get a massage? Massage is definitely beneficial for most high-risk pregnancies. There are a few rare situations in which massage is not recommended, but overall it is perfectly safe for you and the baby. I recommend seeking out a massage therapist who has a significant amount of training and experience in pregnancy massage, including training in high-risk pregnancy massage. Massage cannot directly harm a baby or pregnant mother, but there are additional considerations that need to be taken into account. It is not unusual for a therapist to require a high-risk mother to obtain a release from her care provider for the massage session. Some therapists even require a release for low risk pregnancies. If you are experiencing a high risk pregnancy feel free to ask additional questions, for example:
“How will the massage impact my condition?”
“What extra precautions need to be taken to keep me and the baby safe? “
“Will you come to my home or hospital where I am on bed rest?”
The important thing here is the therapist being knowledgeable about massage during high risk situations and you feeling confident in their ability to take appropriate care of you during the session. Again, keep looking if you are not sure about the therapist you are talking to and don’t hesitate to follow your gut instinct about scheduling with them or not.
Hopefully after talking on the phone with a therapist you will feel confident enough to schedule a session with them. There’s no way to tell if they are good unless you actually go see them. Ask them any questions you may have during the intake part of the session and feel free to speak up during the massage if anything comes up or you feel uncomfortable. Remember that it is your massage session and part of what makes it a good one is you. Your therapist wants to know if you are uncomfortable, or if the pressure is too deep or too light, so speak up. If you want more work in your hips or low back- speak up. We want you to have a great session and feel good in your body when you leave. We don’t know what you don’t tell us, and we are most willing to accommodate you so you can have an awesome massage experience.
Finding that wicked awesome massage therapist that you want to tell all your pregnant friends about can take a little extra work, but getting a great massage is worth it. Remember to follow your instincts and don’t hesitate to ask any questions about the therapist’s training and experience. It most definitely pays off in the end.
Miranda Cacek is Certified in Prenatal, Labor and Postpartum Massage with 150 hours of training and 7 years of experience. She has a private practice in the Uptown area of Denver where 95% of her practice is pregnancy and postpartum massage
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