When you’re looking for the best third trimester massage in Romford, then it’s important to find someone who is not only highly qualified, but also experienced. This isn’t just about keeping your mind and body fresh, it’s also about caring for your baby.
What are the main reasons for a third trimester massage?
A prenatal massage in your third trimester helps as your body adjusts to the extra weight and changes to your posture that needs to happen to carry your baby full term. These stir up new aches and pains, in places you never even knew were there!
What you, as a new mum-to-be need to know about having a third trimester pregnancy massage.
Firstly, let’s address what is a prenatal massage.
We adapt prenatal massages to the anatomical changes that your body goes through during pregnancy. So if you’re in your third trimester, you won’t be able to lie comfortably on your front, so we’ll adapt with you laying on your side and your therapist working you from behind. You’ll be propped up by comfortable pillows, cushioning and pregnancy bolsters and many of our ladies surprise themselves by falling asleep as they relax.
It may also surprise you to know that there’s another reason we don’t do your prenatal massage in the standard face up and face down positions that isn’t to do with your baby belly. When you’re laying face up you can put pressure on a major blood vessel. This disrupts the flow of blood to your baby, and result in you being nauseous. This is why it’s always important to have a pregnancy massage, particularly when you’re in your third trimester from someone who is qualified and experienced, as we are at Essential Feeling, Gidea Park.
Can pregnant women get massages?
Yes. Especially in your second and third trimester. There are some questions about whether pregnancy massage is safe within your first trimester and this is why during this critical period of your baby’s growth, we only offer pregnancy reflexology. To be fair, we find this more effective at helping with the changes that your body goes through during the first three months of pregnancy anyway.
If you’re dead set on getting a first trimester massage then just go ahead and get a green light (letter) from your medical practitioner or GP and let us know at the time of booking.
On the note of whether massage is safe for mums-to-be, it’s worth pointing out that there is no magic eject button that will accidentally cause you to go into labour. There are specific pressure points that are thought to be best avoided but your pregnancy massage therapist knows these and adjusts your massage accordingly. When you’re due to go into labour we use these pressure points around your ankle and heel to help let your body know it’s time. But this takes work over a period of time, and even then there are no guarantees. Everyone’s body is different. Whilst we have been attributed with kickstarting labour in many clients, in all our years, so far we’ve only ever had one lady where her contractions were triggered whilst she was mid-treatment.
A few points about safety during third trimester massage and prenatal massage in general to help you choose a safe practitioner.
Tummy
You may really feel like you’d like your tummy massaged as your skin stretches and it feels tight. But extra pressure on there can be surprisingly uncomfortable, so stick to a light pressure.
Second half of pregnancy
After the fourth month of pregnancy in the second half, it’s best not to lie flat on your back. This can be during your massage or at any time. We’ve mentioned this briefly above, but it comes down to the weight compressing blood vessels. This in turn reduces the circulation that reaches your placenta. And this creates more problems than any massage can cure. A good therapist will never ask you to do this.
Deep tissue massage during pregnancy
Many pregnant ladies are craving deep tissue work during their prenatal massage due to all the aches and pains. But, whilst gentle pressure is safe on your legs, it’s not a great idea to have deep tissue massage on your legs whilst you’re pregnant. This is because you’re more susceptible to blood clots which deep massage therapy may dislodge. It can therefore be risky, but the rest of your body is fine. So if you’d like a prenatal deep tissue massage on your back, then that is completely fine. A quick note, always communicate with your therapist. Let them know what feels good, or if you’re not enjoying a certain level of pressure. It helps us to tailor your session to your exact needs. Like we’ve said before, everyone’s body is different.
Therapist
You can see there’s a lot involved in the training our therapist has done, over and above additional and adapted massage techniques for maternal massage. This is why a qualification is so important. But over and above that, there’s also no substitute for years of experience in adapting, padding, understanding the changing anatomy nuances a pregnant lady needs during her pregnancy and third trimester massage in particular.
Your practitioner, if credible, should run through a detailed consultation form before your treatment. This will cover off any health issues that they may need to be aware of including diabetes, high blood pressure, and any contagious diseases/ viruses. Essentially they’re looking for any complications that may make massage during pregnancy risky, so if you are at risk of preeclampsia or have suffered some abdominal pain or bleeding then be specific on your form. It won’t necessarily mean your treatment can’t go ahead, but your therapist will adapt their work accordingly.
What are the benefits of prenatal massage?
There’s research which shows that massage regardless of pregnancy reduces stress hormones as well as relaxing and loosening your muscles. But, importantly for pre-natal massages, it also increases your blood flow as well as keeping your lymphatic system working at peak efficiency. This is important because when you’re pregnant you’re not as mobile as normal so these are things your body struggles to maintain without some help, and are needed to ensure you’re not swimming in unwanted toxins whilst not delivering enough oxygen via your blood around your system.
During pregnancy, regular prenatal massages may not only help you relax, but may also relieve:
– Insomnia
– Joint pain, neck and back pain and sciatica
– Leg cramping
– Swelling in your hands and feet (as long as that swelling isn’t a result of preeclampsia)
– Carpal tunnel pain
– Headaches and sinus congestion
How much do prenatal massages cost?
Your prenatal massage including third trimester massage is the same price as a standard massage. We don’t charge you extra for your passenger and our additional training and expertise like some places. We love helping our mums-to-be get through their pregnancy with upmost ease.
How to give a prenatal massage at home
Ask your partner/ friend for an at-home, maternal massage with these tips:
Gentle foot rub.
Use lotion for smoother strokes, and start by rubbing the top of your foot with gentle pressure, working from the toes towards the ankle and making small circles, light around the ankle. They can then use both thumbs to make small light circles on the sole of the foot right beneath the toes.
On your heel, move one thumb down as the other thumb moves up, and continue to alternate. They can also gently tug on each toe and use the index finger or thumb to rub between them. It’s a good idea to avoid the pressure point between the anklebone and heel.
Back rub. Sit up or lie on your side then have your partner stroke up and down your back using both hands. Lotion helps their hands glide. They should focus on the muscles on either side of your spine and not go over your shoulders.
Head massage including your scalp. Moving from the base of the skull to the hairline, use both hands and spread fingers to apply gentle pressure to the scalp, circling hands together or apart. Add gentle stroking of your face, which can be amazingly relaxing.
Tummy. Don’t massage it! Instead, gently rub it with vitamin E oil for a soothing effect that can also help prevent stretch marks.
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