If you are looking for a pregnancy massage near you, then we can help; we provide pregnancy massage at our clinic in Bristol and regularly welcome patients from: Hanham, Longwell green, Kingswood and St George. Prenatal massage, also known as “pregnancy massage”, is a massage designed to relieve pain and discomfort that can occur in various parts of the body during pregnancy.

Are massages OK during pregnancy?

We often get asked if massages are OK to have during pregnancy and the answer to this question is generally yes, with some exceptions. There are little known risks to having massage during pregnancy, as long as there are no underlying health complications and no increased risk of developing a miscarriage or heightened chance of developing blood clots. To help avoid any unknown risks, we usually perform pregnancy massage from 12 weeks onward. Massage techniques are also adapted to the individual and the stage of the pregnancy- and if you have any concerns we recommend you firstly consult your GP or midwife.

How "far along" can you get a prenatal massage?

As long as there are no underlying health conditions, you can receive pregnancy massage all the way up until the day you give birth. As expectant mothers approach full term, the demands on their bodies significantly increase, with subsequent changes to posture and mobility- and so it can be incredibly relieving to receive a massage late on during pregnancy!

What position will I need to be in for a pregnancy massage?

There are various options and positions in how pregnancy massage can be provided. It can be carried out either sitting upright, side lying, or even lying face down on our specialist pregnancy pillow, that has a large cut out for your bump to gently rest into. Our pregnancy cushion is so comfortable, you will even find our practitioners relaxing on this themselves!

What type of aches and pains can occur during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, women can experience a range of uncomfortable conditions such as:

• Lower back pain
• Sciatica
• SPD (symphysis pubic dysfunction)
• PGP (pelvic girdle pain)
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gyanecologists, PGP also affects 1 in 5 pregnant women.

What are the benefits to Pregnancy massage?

More research studies are required to fully establish the benefits of pregnancy massage, but some small studies suggest the following may occur:

• Reduced anxiety
• Improvements in mood
• Reduction in back and leg pain
• Improved sleep
• Decreased levels of stress hormones in some individuals

Why might I get lower back pain during my pregnancy?

During pregnancy the increase in body weight can place additional strain upon the lower back and pelvis, which comes from a combination of the weight of the baby, the placenta and the extra fluid retained throughout the body.

A range of Postural changes also occur throughout the nine months; in order to prevent your centre of gravity moving too far forward, the curvature of the lower back, known as the lordosis, often increases. This leads to a shortening of the lower back muscles and an approximation of the moveable 'facet' joints within the lower spine that can cause discomfort.

In the third trimester, ankles may begin to swell due to additional fluid retention, whilst the hips, legs and feet may begin to turn outward to compensate for the altered pelvic position, as it tilts forwards.

During pregnancy, an increase of the hormone called 'relaxin' leads to an increase in the laxity/stretch of the ligaments, in order to prepare the body for the natural birthing process. This may lead to painful issues arising from around the pelvic girdle and more specifically in the sacro-iliac joints and pubic symphasis of the pelvis, as they become increasingly mobile for a period of time.

Potential benefits of pregnancy massage

1. Anxiety and stress

Massage may be helpful improving one’s state of mind and releiving stress. In your 9 month-long journey you may experience some mentally challenging times, and an hour-long session may help you to clear your mind, leaving you to feel more relaxed.

2. Massage could help aid sleep

Getting a good night's sleep during pregnancy can be a challenge for a variety of reasons- from the increased pressure on your muscles and joints, to having more fluid in your body. Pregnancy massage may help you to sleep better throughout the night, through reducing tension within the body.

3. Promotes a sense of well-being

If you want to feel good about yourself and feel like you are being pro-active, then massage can certainly help you to feel this way. A pregnancy massage session can leave you feeling more comfortable, health and happy- providing a good opportunity to unwind.

How do I book my pregnancy massage?

If you are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy, and are not considered to have a high risk pregnancy (your midwife or GP will clarify for you if this may be the case), then you are able to book directly through our website, or by calling us on 0117 2440157.

If you are travelling from surrounding areas to Hanham, such as: Longwell Green, Kinsgwood, Hanham or St George, then finding our clinic is fairly straightforward and directions can be found on our contact page.

If you have any questions or are unsure if it is suitable to have a pregnancy massage, then please do get in touch and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have.