Massage

[amaayeh]

My husband was going to get me a belated birthday present of a massage and we called a place they refused to give me because I'm six weeks pregnant. They said it's policy not to give one in the first trimester. I think that's crazy!!!! Hello, I can still lay on my stomach and I desperately need to relax!!!!!! Anyone ever heard of this crazy policy?

[Liora]

I get one every month and they didn't even alter the technique in my first trimester. Now that I'm in my second I don't lie on my stomach. That is crazy! Pregnant women need massages more than anyone! Call around and see if you can find another place. I go to Massage Envy which is a national chain so if you have one of those nearby you shouldn't have any trouble.

[Jayray]

No, I have never heard of this! In my last pregnancy, I had one around 13 weeks (on my stomach on a normal table) and later with a special pregnancy pillow thingy. I would have had one every single week if we could have afforded it!!

Find a new place! Later in pregnancy, I did find someone who was certified in prenatal massage. It made me feel better about getting one and she was really great. The first one I had, the guy had worked on pregnant women before but was not certified-- but I didn't feel as fragile as I did later on.

[amaayeh]

Thank you! I read online that some places won't do it because of the fear of being blamed for a miscarriage and that is simply an old wives' tale. I quickly copied all the links and wrote the place a very harshly worded email. I can guarantee I won't be going there!

[miss_nikki]

That is actually a common policy. Unless the therapist is well trained in prenatal massage, they usually won't give massages until you reach 12/13 weeks, for liability reasons. It may stink, but I don't think it is something to get upset with them about. The fact is there are plenty of people who would believe the massage had something to do with the m/c. I'm actually a massage therapy student and we are taught not to massage during the first trimester, though some of our much more experienced teachers will, because they having gained the training they need to feel comfortable doing so.

[Dancinmommy]

no thats BS...my dh is a massage therapist, there are contraindications to consider, but you can still get bodywork! go somewhere else!