Prenatal Massage Routine and Other Self Care Tips for Pregnancy

If you’ve ever had a massage or used a luxury massage chair then you know there’s nothing like it. A full body massage reduces stress, can alleviate pain, and benefits your mind. But what if you’re pregnant? Can pregnant women get massages? Absolutely!

The American Pregnancy Association has said that getting a massage while pregnant can help with a variety of pregnancy health experiences, help the labor process, and even possibly positively impact newborn health. So today we’re looking at prenatal massage routine elements and other self care tips for pregnancy so that your pregnancy journey is one you enjoy and remember forever.

What is a Prenatal Massage?

Maybe you’re familiar with different types of massage techniques. You may even be familiar with using a massage chair vs human massage. But what is a prenatal massage, exactly?

A prenatal massage is a pregnancy massage routine that is adapted for the physical changes your body goes through during pregnancy. This adjustment is made for your safety and the safety of your baby. Often the most recommended type of massage during pregnancy is a light Swedish massage as it promotes blood circulation, boosts the lymphatic system, and helps with muscle relaxation.

While some prenatal health providers may suggest a more conservative path and recommend massage during the second and third trimesters, studies have shown that pregnant women can safely get massages at any point during pregnancy. It’s important to note that while self care during pregnancy is vital, you should consult with a prenatal healthcare professional before you begin any kind of prenatal massage routine to ensure it’s safe for you to do so.

Try This Prenatal Massage Routine

In a traditional massage, you may spend much of (if not all) the time lying face down on a massage table. Obviously this is neither possible nor safe as you continue your pregnancy journey. Additionally, lying flat is not recommended in later stages of pregnancy as it can potentially be dangerous for the blood flow to your baby. So then what can you do? Let’s take a look at the elements of a prenatal massage routine and some suggestions for how you can experience them safely from the comfort of home using a massage chair.

A few of the elements you’ll want in a prenatal massage routine are:

Shoulder and back massage to relax your muscles and alleviate stress
Glute and hamstring massage to relax the leg muscles
Gentle foot massage for blood flow

Instead of relying on a massage therapist who may not be properly trained to accommodate a pregnancy massage routine, try a luxury massage chair (read more on tips for how to choose a massage chair after this article). The benefits of owning a massage chair range from different massage chair features to being able to enjoy one in the privacy of your own home and on your schedule. Having one at home may help you avoid unnecessary added stress during your pregnancy. The best part is, they’re perfect for continued use afterward, too!

Pregnancy Back Massage Benefits (Including Shoulders)

As we mentioned previously, one of the most common prenatal massage routines is a light Swedish massage. This applies gentle pressure starting at your shoulders and back, relaxing your muscles and potentially helping alleviate back pain during pregnancy. When you’re using a massage chair, the massage rollers move from your neck area and down to your lower back. This promotes better blood circulation and helps flush toxins from your body through the lymphatic system.

Pregnancy Body Massage on Glutes and Hamstrings

If you choose an L-track massage chair (learn more about S-track vs L-track massage chairs in the resources below), your massage rollers will continue beyond your lower back to your glutes and top of the hamstrings. This can deepen your relaxation during a prenatal massage routine and help your leg muscles relax. As your baby grows, there is more pressure put on your leg muscles, lower back, and sciatic nerve system. Helping to treat these ailments are some of the massage chair benefits for health you won’t want to miss during your pregnancy!

Foot Massage During Pregnancy

Now what about your feet? A foot massage feels amazing at any time, but especially when you’re pregnant. Many women experience swelling in their feet and ankles during pregnancy that a massage chair may help with. According to professionals, a light foot massage during pregnancy is safe as long as you avoid too much pressure during later stages of pregnancy on areas of the ankle that may cause uterine contraction.

You can use a massage chair for your foot massage, too. Foot rollers at the base of your massage chair can provide comfort, relaxation, and a number of health benefits during your pregnancy massage routine. If you don’t have a massage chair at home, you can also look for electric foot massagers. These foot and calf massagers can help improve your blood circulation and may be your new best friend during your pregnancy journey!

When it comes to a prenatal massage routine, Swedish massage isn’t the only path. If you’re using a luxury massage chair at home you can see all the available features that are safe to use (while we all love the benefits of heat therapy, it should be used sparingly while pregnant for safety). If you have a massage chair with AI massage technology, it can even learn your body and adapt to your needs like a private massage therapist!

Other Self Care Tips for Pregnancy

Having a prenatal massage routine isn’t the only way to take care of yourself during pregnancy. There are loads of different activities and lifestyle adjustments you can make for self care and for the health of your baby.

A few self care tips for pregnancy you may want to try are:

Eating a healthy diet while satiating hunger levels throughout the day
Staying active or exercising safely during pregnancy
Try meditation to help manage stress levels and reduce anxiety
Unplug from your electronic devices from time to time
Ensure you’re getting enough sleep at night and as needed during the day

While your journey is unique to you, these self care tips for pregnancy may help keep you and your baby healthy throughout the entire process. Before beginning any kind of diet, exercise, or prenatal massage routine, however, don’t forget to consult with a healthcare professional to be sure it’s safe.

We hope you’ve learned a lot about how a prenatal massage routine is not only safe but has the potential to be incredibly beneficial! Taking care of your body and your baby is so important and a pregnancy massage routine could help you on the way. Choose a massage chair for home and you can experience these benefits on your schedule whenever you want! After the baby arrives, you’ll find your massage chair is still perfect for every lifestyle and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

For more information on the benefits of massage chairs, check out the resources below: