Would it be weird to get a pregnancy massage at 12 weeks?

[MrsSlocombe]

I have a spa certificate that I got for my (pre-pregancy) birthday over the summer.  Because I hate cold weather, I decided to save it for now.  Well, it will be cold for a few months, actually, but I kind of want to use it now.  I know that pregnant women are only supposed to get certain kinds of massages, especially in the sense that they are supposed to stay away from my feet, but even though I have a little bump (probably bigger than average), I don't think of myself as in need of one of those cut out tables.  I can still lie on my tummy just fine.  Should I go in for the maternity massage, just get regular (or hot stone) massage and tell them to stay away from my feet, or wait a couple of months so that the answer will be more obvious?

[butterfly_mommy]

When I was pregnant with my DS I went for a massage at least once a month from conception to right before I had him and beyond :) It was wonderful and I would lie on my tummy but with pillows until it became uncomfortable and then I would lie on my side with pillows to prob me so i could lean towards the front of my body. Just be sure to tell them you are pregnant when you book and ask for a therapist that has experience doing prenatal massage. There are certain EO that shouldn't be used and some things that they will do differently when pregnant.

Also I used to have my feet done, there are certain points in the feet and ankles that you do not want to stimulate to hard but other then that it is fine. I actually used to go for reflexology treatments when I was pregnant with DS as well. I actually just went with my DH last week for a foot massage, I just told them I was pregnant. It was fantastic.

[lisarenee25]

Hell to the nah.

I'm only 7 weeks and my lower back is in a mess - and things are pulling.

Go ahead with your bad self!  Enjoy!

[cristeen]

I got one when I was about 10 weeks, it was lovely.  She had me side-lying the entire time, rather than on my tummy, but it was beautiful.  Never heard of avoiding the feet though - she definitely didn't for me. 

Definitely mention upfront about any scents though, since you're far more sensitive in pregnancy.  A lot of places use unscented now, but it's something to ask. 

[MrsSlocombe]

Thanks, all!  I did go ahead and make an appointment for a warm stone massage, letting the person know I was pregnant.

I would be thrilled to have someone work on my feet, personally, but most of the websites I've found that talk about pregnancy massage say it's bad because of the pressure points, probably just specific ones like Butterfly_Mommy mentioned.  I haven't been letting my husband massage them like I used to, which is probably wise, since neither he nor I would have any idea where the pressure points are.

[cristeen]

Pregnancy is the only time my DH does massage my feet.  They get really dry and itchy during pregnancy, so at least once a week I'll lie in bed with my feet in his lap and a bottle of massage oil or lotion and he'll spend half an hour massaging them. 

[cameragirl]

Go for it! I'd be all for massages right now if I had the chance.

[aeterna]

Speaking as a prior massage therapist... I understand the, uhm, kind of spiritual theoretical basis behind the reflexology pressure points, but I honestly think it's all a bunch of hog wash. When I asked my professor about it, I said, "if it was so likely to induce labor, wouldn't the pitocin people be out of a job?" And she said, "well the body only goes into labor when it is ready." To which my dumbfounded response was, "well then why are we worrying about some pressure points?"

You'll be fine. Keep the hot stones off your belly - I'd worry more about that.

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by aeterna 

Speaking as a prior massage therapist... I understand the, uhm, kind of spiritual theoretical basis behind the reflexology pressure points, but I honestly think it's all a bunch of hog wash. When I asked my professor about it, I said, "if it was so likely to induce labor, wouldn't the pitocin people be out of a job?" And she said, "well the body only goes into labor when it is ready." To which my dumbfounded response was, "well then why are we worrying about some pressure points?"
You'll be fine. Keep the hot stones off your belly - I'd worry more about that.

My cousin is a massage therapist, and said the same thing. If the pressure points were to do anything, you'd likely have gone into labor anyways.

[MrsSlocombe]

Originally Posted by aeterna 

Speaking as a prior massage therapist... I understand the, uhm, kind of spiritual theoretical basis behind the reflexology pressure points, but I honestly think it's all a bunch of hog wash. When I asked my professor about it, I said, "if it was so likely to induce labor, wouldn't the pitocin people be out of a job?" And she said, "well the body only goes into labor when it is ready." To which my dumbfounded response was, "well then why are we worrying about some pressure points?"
You'll be fine. Keep the hot stones off your belly - I'd worry more about that.

Oh, my gosh, that's such a good point.  What an easy, fun labor-inducer that would be!

[janellody]

Speaking also as a licensed massage therapist -- I ALWAYS massage the feet during prenatal massage :)  Pregnant ladies love a good foot massage.  The main pressure points are in other areas and I agree, I don't believe that those will induce labor or do ANYTHING unless your body is ready to go already.  I always ask my clients prior to a prenatal massage and tell them the beliefs about them and they usually agree to go ahead and massage those points anyway.  To avoid them means treading carefully in areas that you really do want to massage like your shoulder area, so unless they are adamant about me avoiding them we go ahead and massage them anyway and I have never heard that any of them went into labor after the massage.

It is a GREAT time to get a massage while pregnant, so go enjoy yourself!!  I also have never done a hot stone massage on a pregnant woman, and wouldn't really unless they could still lat on their tummies and back.  And personally I avoid super hot things all together so wouldn't want one myself.  But as long as you stay away from that belly you should be ok.

[Nicole730]

My CNM did massage my feet to get my labor moving along, I was already contracting though.  I don't think it would ever put pitocin out of business though, unless they figure out a way to bottle it and charge you lots of money ;)  I do think it helped, but only because my body was already in labor.  I think those pressure points are probably like all the other get labor moving tactics, only work if your body is ready for them.

[deborahbgkelly]

I have been getting prenatal massages since shortly after my BFP and it is sooooo relaxing. Relaxation lowers stress which is good for mommy and baby. I personally would avoid anything like a hot stone massage although I do have heat with my acupuncture (just not on my belly). Some heat is okay but it needs to be low heat. For back pain, since I'm not allowed to exercise they told me a low heat heating pad would be good and warm baths. On the abdomen for cramping, they said that's also okay, but on low with a blanket between heating pad and momma belly.

[aeterna]

Originally Posted by janellody 

[snip] we go ahead and massage them anyway and I have never heard that any of them went into labor after the massage.

Yep, same here. And had quite a few clients complain they hadn't gone into labor - they were hoping it'd get things moving. ;)

Babies come when they are supposed to! ^.^

[janellody]

Originally Posted by aeterna 

Yep, same here. And had quite a few clients complain they hadn't gone into labor - they were hoping it'd get things moving. ;)

Babies come when they are supposed to! ^.^

Exactly!!