There are a number of antenatal massages that can benefit you while you are in early labour and during pregnancy. You can do them by yourself or have them done by your partner or a professional. The potential benefits of antenatal massage include relaxation, relief from some aches and pains, improved circulation and lymphatic drainage, improved sleep, and a reduction in the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and antenatal depression. Better digestion and hormone regulation are not proven benefits of massage therapy, but they can be secondary effects.

Is antenatal massage safe?

Antenatal massage is generally considered safe, though you should always consult with your doctor or midwife before attempting it on yourself or having someone else do it for you. Make sure you tell your massage therapist that you are pregnant before you book and ask about the qualifications of the person who will be working on you, as well as the precautions that will be taken during the appointment. In general, it’s safest and most comfortable to be massaged on your side while you are pregnant. This avoids pressure on your abdomen and any uncomfortable stretching of the uterus. A pregnancy massage therapist should be trained to use aromatherapy oils appropriately, if they use them at all, but if you don’t like them or are concerned about them, it is appropriate to ask that a non-volatile, unfragranced plant oil, such as oil or almond, be used instead.

Some professionals will not accept you as a client before 12 weeks of pregnancy. This is because of the increased risk of miscarriage in the first trimester, even though there is no proven link between massage and first-trimester miscarriage. Some therapists will require written consent from your doctor.

Your doctor may advise you to avoid antenatal massage if you have one of the following:

A fever or feeling generally unwell
Hypertension
Nausea and vomiting (morning sickness)
Placenta praevia or accrete
A high risk of miscarriage
A high risk of premature labour
A high risk of placental abruption
A high risk of blood clots
Vaginal bleeding

In addition, it’s important that you check that any professional who works on you in pregnancy is properly trained and accredited in pregnancy massage where you are in the world. In the UK, massage therapists are not regulated by the law, but you can check if yours is registered through the Professional Standards Authority. You could also ask for a recommendation from your doctor or midwife.

What about the points on the body where acupressure isn’t safe in pregnancy? Is massage safe in those places?

Acupuncture disagree on the complete list of points to avoid on the body before a woman is 37 weeks pregnant. However, they generally include:

Your spleen 6 (SP6), which is about three fingers above your inner ankle bones.
Your lower abdomen and bladder area.
Your sacral region.
The fleshy area between your thumbs and forefingers.
Parts of your wrists.

It is believed that using these acupressure points before 37 weeks encourages premature contractions, miscarriage, and other pregnancy complications. The NHS, the American Pregnancy Association, and other reputable medical sources do not provide massage information specific to these areas for pregnant women, though massage is widely considered one of the safest complementary therapies while you are pregnant, provided your therapist is trained and accredited. You can always request that your therapist avoid these areas if you are worried about them.

What about electronic and manual massagers? Are they safe to use on myself or have my partner use on me for antenatal massage?

Please refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for using different types of tools correctly in pregnancy. In general, massage tools are safe in pregnancy, but the maker’s guidance should be followed, including how to massage a pregnant woman with the tool and for how long it is recommended that you do so. In general, using a tool for an extended period of time—or, in the case of an electronic device, until it begins to heat up—is not recommended.

Which types of massage are safe for the antenatal period?

The following are all safe in pregnancy:

Swedish massage techniques for tension relief
Manual facial massage (electronic facial tools that employ currents may also be safe for use in pregnancy, but please ask your therapist or the product’s manufacturer).
Head or scalp massage (hairdressers will typically offer these for free while shampooing your hair, and remember that sulphate-free shampoos are best for pregnant women)
Neck, shoulder, and upper back massage

Unii’s midwives, Ms. Katie Benyohai and Ms. Leila Zahedi, also recommend massaging your lower back with a tennis ball for pain relief in early pregnancy. Your partner can use the heels of his hands in this area, or one of you can use a TENS machine.

For more advice on taking care of yourself in pregnancy, labour, and birth, check out Unii’s Antenatal Classes, with prenatal video episodes taught by senior NHS midwives, an award-winning obstetrician and gynaecologist, and six other leading healthcare experts. Only at unii.com.

What are the benefits of antenatal massage and how do I do it?

Unii looks at massage in pregnancy as a therapy.