Pregnancy massage: From when, what to watch for, and what it does

“You shouldn’t get a massage during pregnancy”, this misconception persists stubbornly, but is wrong in that blanket form. A professionally performed pregnancy massage is possible in all trimesters and brings noticeable relief for many pregnancy-related complaints. What you need to know so treatment is safe and beneficial.

Why the myth “no massage during pregnancy” is wrong

The blanket warning partly comes from a time when pregnancy massages were less standardised and little distinction was made between wellness and professional massage. The available studies on pregnancy massage from the second trimester onwards report no increased complication rates and describe effects on back pain and wellbeing. A general safety assurance cannot be derived from this – what matters is that no contraindications are present.

What pregnancy massage can deliver

Physically: – Relieve back pain and sciatic complaints (very common in 2nd and 3rd trimester) – Reduce heavy legs and water retention – Release tension in neck, shoulders, and lower back – Improve circulation and lymph flow – Support relaxation before sleep

Emotionally and hormonally: – Reduce stress and tension – Strengthen wellbeing and body awareness – Strengthen body awareness, important in a phase of significant physical change

Trimester guide

1st trimester (weeks 1 to 12)

Possible, but with restraint. Miscarriage risk is highest in the first 12 weeks, which is why many practices are cautious. Whether a gentle massage affects this risk has not been studied for this period: the available studies only included women from around week 12 of pregnancy onwards. Many practices therefore start only after that point.

With a high-risk pregnancy or previous miscarriages: consult the gynaecologist before beginning treatment.

2nd trimester (weeks 13 to 27)

Optimal period. Many early-pregnancy complaints (nausea, exhaustion) subside, while back and muscle complaints begin from growing baby weight. Massages during this phase are often experienced as particularly beneficial.

3rd trimester (week 28 to birth)

Highly recommended, here massage often brings the most noticeable relief. Special aspects:

• Side-lying position: from about week 20, no longer lying flat on the back (vena cava syndrome)
• No labour-inducing acupressure points: certain points (SP6, LI4, BL32, BL60) are deliberately avoided, they can trigger uterine contractions
• Include stomach gently or avoid entirely, depending on preference and phase
• Towards the end: relaxation as preparation for birth

Contraindications

Level 1 – no massage, immediate medical assessment:

These situations are time-critical. With an existing or suspected thrombosis, manipulation of the leg can dislodge a thrombus; a published case report describes a life-threatening pulmonary embolism after leg massage in undiagnosed deep vein thrombosis. Bleeding, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome and preterm contractions require immediate medical assessment regardless of any massage. A massage would only delay it.

• Diagnosed thrombosis or suspected thrombosis
• Vaginal bleeding
• Preeclampsia
• HELLP syndrome
• Premature labour or preterm contractions

Level 2 – only after obstetric clearance: – Placenta praevia (placenta in front of the cervix) – High-risk pregnancy with doctor-ordered rest – Multiple pregnancy with complications

Level 3 – rule of this practice: – No treatment during high fever or acute infection. This is a general massage rule, not a pregnancy-specific contraindication.

Relative contraindications (medical consultation first): – High-risk pregnancy with doctor-ordered rest – Gestational diabetes with complications – Pregnancy-induced hypertension – Previous miscarriages (especially in the 1st trimester) – Multiple pregnancies with complications

Which techniques are suitable

A good pregnancy massage combines, depending on need:

• Gentle, flowing strokes for relaxation
• Lymphatic drainage elements for water retention
• Targeted release of tense muscle areas (neck, back, hips)
• Acupressure on pregnancy-safe points for complaints like nausea (PC6), tension, or sleep issues (HT7)

Not appropriate during pregnancy: – Very deep, hard deep tissue massage – Strong stretching techniques – Massage of the aforementioned labour-inducing points – Essential oils with labour-inducing effects (sage, rosemary, certain citrus oils in high doses)

What’s different at Praxis Anzhelika Wyss

Anzhelika Wyss works integratively, meaning: a pregnancy massage combines classical massage techniques with lymphatic drainage and acupressure elements, individually adapted to the respective pregnancy phase. The treatment takes place in side-lying position (from week 20), with special pillows for comfort.

The practice explicitly takes time for history, existing complaints, pre-existing conditions, medications, past pregnancies are discussed before a treatment begins.

After birth: What then?

Earliest 6 weeks after a natural birth, 8 weeks after caesarean (each with medical clearance), classical massages can resume. icoone® microstimulation for the recovery of abdominal skin and scar tissue also becomes an option.

Pricing

Massage 60 min.: CHF 140 Massage 90 min.: CHF 190

To pregnancy massage · Book appointment · WhatsApp consultation

Also of interest: icoone® scar treatment after birth

Sources

• Field T. Pregnancy and labor massage therapy. Expert Rev Obstet Gynecol 2010;5(2):177-181.
• RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 37a: Thrombosis and Embolism during Pregnancy and the Puerperium.
• ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 222: Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia.
• ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 234: Prediction and Prevention of Spontaneous Preterm Birth.
• ACOG: Placenta Accreta Spectrum / Placenta Praevia (management recommendations).
• These guidelines address the respective complication, not massage. Applying them to massage practice is a precautionary rule of this practice.

Individual results may vary. This content does not replace medical advice. For pregnancy complaints, always consult the gynaecologist or midwife first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a massage in the 1st trimester?

Evidence for the first trimester is limited: the available studies only included women from around week 12 of pregnancy onwards. There is neither evidence of increased risk nor a robust clearance. As a precaution, this practice therefore offers pregnancy massage from week 13 onwards. In the case of a high-risk pregnancy, seek medical advice before starting treatment.

Which acupressure points should be avoided during pregnancy?

Particularly SP6, LI4, BL32, BL60, and GB21 are considered labour-inducing. These points are deliberately avoided in pregnancy massage.

How long does a pregnancy massage last?

60 or 90 minutes. From week 13 of pregnancy, the 90-minute variant is usually recommended so there’s enough time for positioning, history, and comprehensive treatment.

Read more

Skin tightening after pregnancy → · Scars after caesarean → · Which massage suits you? →

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