Hi

A wee query for you -

My boyfriends sister is pregnant and she was saying how she has a voucher for a massage but doesnt know if she can get one as she is 13 weeks pregnant

I said to her being pregnant doens't mean you cant have a massage, it just means that the therapist should take special care with certain movements and positions your in. Theres loads of places that offer massages for pregnant women. Some places might seek doctors advice if they have any concerns

However, she has had 2 miscarriages both at around 9 weeks and wonders if she'd be best to avoid it.

What are your thoughts? I done massage at college but it was a basic massage and didn't go into how you'd massage a pregnant lady so wanting to get my facts right.

Massage isn't recommended for the first 3 months of pregnancy due to risk of miscarriage or for pregnancies with complications or history of miscarriage but this is down to the therapists/business at their own discretion. (may also need to check with their insurers)

Personally I would wait to see how the pregnancy progresses especially considering the history and she is probably still feeling anxious about it all. She may also find it more beneficial later on in the pregnancy when she gets bigger rather than within the earlier stages.

I would also check that they are trained/experienced in pregnancy massage for piece of mind.

Hello there

I am a fully qualified holistic and beauty therapist.

I would definetly NOT recommend massage within the first 3 months, and I would ask the client to get a doctors refferal before carrying out Massage, Reflexology or Reiki.

If she has misscarried twice at 9 weeks I would think that would be a clear signal NOT to have one.

Massage and any other Holistic treatment promotes a form of stimulation on the muscles etc, the reason why we say its best NOT to is to avoid the risk of miscarriage or any other complications.

I would recommend she gets a GP referal first or if the voucher does.nt run out for a while Could she not wait until AFTER the bABY??

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

I've been searching through websites and theres a lot of different advice.

My notes from college say its not a contraindication but take special care and seek doctors advice. Where other websites contradict what I've been taught.

I would agree with the advice on here Carron...
Advise her to wait until her midwife/doctor is happy she's having a reasonably normal pregnancy, and until at least 12 weeks in before she goes for a massage. Get her to ask the midwife/doctor for a letter stating massage would be alright for her. When she does go for a treatment, make sure the therapist is qualified in specialist pregnancy massage, and she's entitled to ask to see a certificate if she wants to!!

Failing that, most salons will usually transfer the voucher from a massage to something like a manicure if you ask, especially under the circumstances!! Personally, I feel this might be the safer bet, and just as nice as a way to pamper herself.

Hope that helps!

Whilst massage does stimulate lymph and blood flow and therefore oxygen and nutrients to area's of the body, it doesn't cause miscarriage. We do not perform Holistic therapies within the first 3 months because this period is the most 'at risk' time for miscarriage. This is because the foetus is going through it's most rigorous growth period, growing major organs etc. and is the period in which a lot of miscarriages occur. If the mother was to have a miscarriage and you had treated her, who would she instinctively blame?
I had Reflexology throughout my pregnancy both myself and sister had trained in it, so I was lucky. I also had the odd massage. The reflexology was a godsend as it really curbed my morning sickness.
Maybe she'd feel better at the later stages of pregnancy when the massage would probably be most beneficial and she was feeling more positive about the pregnancy.
Claire x