I have undertaken advanced training in pregnancy massage* and confidently treated many women throughout the trimesters and post-pregnancy.
Pregnancy massage offers all of the benefits of other massage techniques but special consideration is taken to ensure the comfort of a pregnant woman and safety of her developing baby. This may include techniques which are more suitable, especially during heavy pregnancy (eg. side-lying), but do not compromise the therapeutic benefits of the massage.
Whilst there are some essential oils that are not considered to be suitable to use during pregnancy, there are many which have huge therapeutic value. As a trained aromatherapist I select oils that are safe to use during pregnancy.
I continue to see many of my pregnant ladies after labour when massage often continues to offer well-needed support. This may include helping to combat the consequences of disturbed sleep, awkward posture during breast-feeding or carrying and picking up growing bundles of joy!
* I trained with Suzanne Yates of Well Mother, Bristol and hold an APNT Diploma in Pregnancy Massage. Suzanne is a Shiatsu practitioner who has worked with many pregnant women, trained countless midwives and therapists and has written several books on the subject of pregnancy.
