Has anyone ever heard you are not suppose to get a massage during your first trimester?

Question

I am 5 week pregnant. This is my 2nd pregnancy - I had one miscarriage in August at about 4.5 weeks...So you could say, I'm a little paranoid.

I was in a car accident 6 weeks ago so have been getting chiropractice care. My chiro signed me up for a 1 hour massage with his massage therapist.

When I told her I was PG, she was really hesitant to do the massage and said you are not suppose to get massages during the first trimester? This was a surprise to me and while I'd have been disappointed to miss it, I don't want to take any chances! She decided to talk to the Doc and they agreed to go ahead with the massage but just in the upper back/shoulder and neck area. When talking to my doctor he did not seem to think there was any real risk in massage. Now after having the massage, I came home, did some internet research and found a few places that say 1st trim. massage is a bad idea! So, I am freaked. Anyone heard this from their OB doc? And know WHY/WHAT the danger is?

Answer 1

As long as you go to a registered massage therapist, particularly one who has training in treating pregnant women you will be fine. With only having a shoulder massage it is my understanding there is no risk either.

Did you tell the massage therapist what did they say?

You might be interested in this link for a website that lists (some) chiropractors who specialize in treating pregnant women and newborns.
http://www.icpa4kids.org

Best of luck with your pregnancy and continue with the chiropractor it is important to help make sure your baby can get into the right position. I wish I had done it, but I decided to be cheap.

Answer 2

Massage is contraindicated in all first trimesters of pregnancy. The reason is that at this stage the foetus is still very vulnerable and the risk of miscarrying is higher than in the second or third trimesters. Massage has a powerful effect on every system in your body, and can raise the risk of miscarrying if done incorrectly or in the first trimester.

Any professional therapist will not massage during this period as honestly it is not worth the risk losing a baby for the sake of a massage.

Massage is also contraindicated in clients who have a history of miscarriages, even in the second and third trimesters, so personally, if I were you, I would wait until after the baby was born.

A lot of doctors have little idea of the effects of massage so I would not necessarily trust their advice on this issue. If you do decide to go ahead and have a massage later in your pregnancy please ensure that you are massaged by a qualified therapist, and specifically a therapist qualified in pregnancy massage. There are a lot of pressure points that need to be avoided in the body during massage, and techniques used so that you are not lying on your back which is dangerous for both you and the baby.

I hope this is helpful! further info on massage and its effects are at http://www.ripplemassage.com.au

Answer 3

My doctor didn't tell me not to get a massage. I have heard of pregnancy massage. One of my co-worker who was going through a massage course did say that you can't just go anywhere to get a massage while you are pregnant because there are several pressure points where they could hurt the fetus if pressed. That's why they have massage just for pregnant women so that they don't press the certain pressure points. Hope this helps. I understand how you feel. I do know that the little ones are a lot stronger than we think they are. If you don't feel comfortable doing the massages, don't so you can have a peace of mind. Look up pregnancy massages and ask them for more advice. :D

Answer 4

I've heard that massage is safe during pregnancy. I know that they shouldn't massage your belly. I would talk to your doctor about it. Every pregnancy is different and with already having a miscarriage your doctor may recommend that you don't. The only person who can really tell you is your doctor. Good luck/

Answer 5

I've never heard of that, but of course my last pregnancy was 21 years ago. My doctor was all for getting massages, manicures, pedicures, the whole nine yards...she felt us mommies deserved all the good stuff we could get to prepare us for the next 18 years!

Answer 6

I've heard no foot massages because of the nerve endings in your feet - reflexologists believe that you can alter the health of organs by rubbing certain areas of the foot. The big toe is the head, the inner arch I think is the uterus, but I may be wrong. Google reflexology and pregancy.

Answer 7

OK as a pregnant massage therapist it is fine to have light massage during your first trimester. most LMT's aren't in the business for light work so they just refuse. deep work releases wastes stored in the muscles. since during your first trimester your body can abort for any reason sometimes the additional release of waste can trigger a natural abortion. as for the feet the inner ankle is connected to the uterus in reflexology and work on feet avoiding the inner ankle is fine...

Answer 8

It can depend on the type of massage as well. Do not get deep tissue because it will release chemicals that can't start contractions, but all other types are ok and recommended by my chiropractor and ob.

Answer 9

I had massages all though my pregnancy and I was fine. I think some of the essential oils might not be OK, so check first with your massage therapist.

Answer 10

Yes other people have told me not to get massage's during pregnancy, but when I asked my ob/gyn she told me that it was totally fine, and I get them monthly now. So you should check with your doctor honey, and good luck.