Q&A: When can I get a prenatal massage?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

Can you receive a "prenatal massage" in your 9th or 10th week of pregnancy? I received a spa package as a gift and it includes a "prenatal massage."

Receiving a prenatal massage can be a great way to relax and work out some of the aches and pains of pregnancy. While it's probably fine for you to receive a massage during your first trimester, you should check with your healthcare provider before you schedule. Also, when you make your appointment ask if the masseuse is specifically trained to give prenatal massages. There are certain positions and pressure points that massage therapists should avoid during pregnancy.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, spas often don't offer massages to pregnant women during their first trimesters, when the incidences of miscarriage are high. It's not that the massage would trigger a miscarriage, but that the spa owners want to avoid any misunderstandings if a woman experiences a miscarriage a day or two after receiving a massage.

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