The massage in pregnancy or prenatal massage is a practice that favors the necessities of the body of the future mother during the various phases that precede the birth and not only in presence of articular troubles.

Its purpose is that to increase the functions of the muscles and the articulations, to improve the circulation, to invigorate the body and to reinvigorate the giving birth one both on the physical plan and mental.

It relatively deals with a recent practice, whose popularity and diffusion it is in contained increase, since extremely pleasant, over how useful, to mother and the baby. The physical benefits, include besides the reduction of the hormonal stress and that tied up physicist to the transformation of the body of the woman during the pregnancy.

It can prevent, besides, the consequential smagliatures from the relaxation of the skin, improving elasticity through a stimulation of the blood circulation.

The prenatal massage doesn't differ, substantially, from the traditional massage, if it were for the position of the woman that must be supine or on a side not to negatively influence the position of the fetus in the uterus and for a series of adroitness aimed to protect the health of mother and child.

The zones that must mostly be stimulate in the prenatal massage are:

- the pelvic region
- the backbone
- the musculature of the back

The abdominal region, must leastly be alone particularly, solicited, without practicing pressures.


Among the benefits that it produces the prenatal massage I am there:

- relaxation and diminution of the insomnia
- relief to the articulations relatively to the weight that they must bear during the pregnancy
- assistance in to maintain corrected the posture
- to prepare the muscles to be used during the birth
- to reduce the swelling of the feet and the hands
- to assuage the pain of the sciatic nerve
- to assuage headache and the congestion of the breast

Side effects:

The prenatal massage doesn't introduce particular safety problems for the health of the woman, but it is always advisable to consult own physician before submitting him to the practice of a therapist, especially if he doubts of its experience.

In every case, it is to inform well the masseur of the physical problems that are being warned during the pregnancy before beginning the massage.

The massage is generally contraindicated in the following situations:

- spillage of water or blood
- diabetes - contagious illnesses
- fever
- early
- morning nauseas, vomit or diarrhea
- dizziness
- palpitations
- pains inusuali
- tall blood pressure
- abdominal pains

The massage in pregnancy can concern every part of the body but it must not insist in the area of the bones of the hip or the heel, since they is connected to the uterus and one excessive stimulation of theirs could cause a premature suffering.

Other physical situations not to be solicited in some way during the massage are:

- cutaneous eruptions, open wounds or bruises
- inflammations
- varicose veins
- local infections

Some physicians dissuade the practice of the massage during the first quarter of pregnancy because of the strong physical and hormonal changes which the woman is subject. Only beginning from the second quarter, in fact, the woman will have acquired familiarity with the pregnancy and it can benefit some solicitations of the massage. Solicitations that won't have to be never however too insisted for not causing uneasiness and they must be accompany from a constant and reassuring dialogue between the therapist and the future mother.

In the second quarter the massage can be effected once a week for a varying duration between the 10 minutes and a hour, in the third quarter the frequency of the treatments can also double.

The use of lotions during the massage is admitted provided that is unscented, in the respect of the high sensibility the woman's olfattiva in pregnancy.

The place where the massage will happen must be well ventilated for the whole duration of the treatment, and it is recommended also the presence of music, provided that calm and relaxant.