Prenatal Massage: What It Is, Positioning, Cautions and Evidence

Urgent signs first

Tell your midwife or doctor before booking any massage, and get help straight away if you notice any of these, with or without a massage.

• Possible blood clot. Throbbing pain and swelling in one leg, usually the calf or thigh. [1] The NHS says pregnancy raises the chance of a clot and that clot symptoms with shortness of breath or chest pain need emergency care. [1] In the US, call 911.
• Possible pre-eclampsia. A severe headache that does not go away with simple painkillers, or sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet. [2] The NHS says any of its listed symptoms can be serious and need to be checked immediately. [2]
• Possible early labour or infection. Back pain in the second or third trimester can be a sign of early labour, and back pain with fever, vaginal bleeding or pain when you pee needs urgent contact with your midwife or GP. [3]

What prenatal massage is

Prenatal (pregnancy) massage is massage adapted for pregnancy. A Cleveland Clinic article, quoting a licensed massage therapist who is also a nurse, says it uses lighter pressure than a deep tissue massage and "shouldn't cause any discomfort." [4] It is usually done lying on your side with pillows or bolsters. [4] It is information-only here: we do not teach techniques, and we do not list therapists.

Timing and positioning

The same article says most pregnancy providers usually recommend waiting until the second trimester, and that limiting massage in early pregnancy, when miscarriage rates are highest, is considered the safest route. [4] It says lying on your stomach or back raises the risk of low blood pressure and could press on nerves, so side-lying is generally safest. [4] This is one hospital article, not a regulator or guideline, and we did not read a second source on trimester timing, so ask your own provider.

What studies found

1. Back and pelvic pain

   Unclear

   A review of 11 articles on 10 trials (1,198 pregnant women), mostly massage and osteopathic treatment, found less pain than usual care or relaxation, but not versus sham treatment. [5] The authors say evidence is limited. [5]

   Mixed; sham result suggests part of the effect is comfort and attention

2. Mood and pain, depressed women

   Unclear

   One trial put 84 depressed women into massage by a partner, relaxation, or standard care. [6] Another gave massage by partners to 47 depressed women versus a control group. [7] Reports were of less anxiety, low mood and leg or back pain, as self-rated. [6]

   Promising but limited; small, unblinded, partner-delivered

3. Preterm birth and birthweight

   Unclear

   The 84-woman trial mentions lesser prematurity as a secondary finding. [6]

   Insufficient evidence; do not rely on it

4. Harm

   Unclear

   An Australian observational study of 101 women at two clinics reported no physical harm events to mother or child, but some reported side effects. [8] The authors say it was not powered to determine safety. [8]

   Insufficient evidence on rare harms

Massage cannot be blinded, and several trials used usual care as the comparison, so expectation matters. We could not tell from the abstracts who funded these trials.

Myths and pressure points

Women interviewed in an Australian study said mixed messages about safety made them doubt massage in pregnancy. [9] An Australian observational study of 101 women says the idea that foot massage in pregnancy is harmful is a myth, but its authors add that it was not powered to test safety. [8] For "pressure point" claims, see massage in pregnancy: risks and pressure-point myths.

Oils and aromatherapy

Cancer Research UK says to check with an aromatherapist and doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. [10] Ask what oil will be used and read essential oil safety.

After birth

Postpartum care is covered at postpartum massage and recovery. The NHS lists the first six weeks after a baby as a time of higher clot risk. [1]