Prenatal Massage Washington DC

Prenatal Massage Pointers

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Here are a few things to look out for—and avoid—during a prenatal massage or spa treatment.

Look for:
• Massage therapists with prenatal certification or training
• Massage therapists who are aware of contraindicated reflexive zones and acupressure points
• Pillows, props, and padding. Pregnant women should not lie on their backs for extended periods of time, nor on their bellies. The best position for a massage is either semi-reclined or lying on your side. For a facial, women in their third trimesters might prefer a semi-reclined position rather than on their backs.
• Beauty products that don’t contain parabens, which are absorbed through your skin and could potentially harm your baby. Parabens, widely used as preservatives in skincare products, have been shown to be hormone disruptors that can affect your developing baby’s reproductive organs.

Avoid:
• A massage therapist unfamiliar with working on pregnant women
• Hot tubs, steam rooms, and saunas. They can raise your internal body temperature to unsafe levels.
• Certain aromatherapy oils are contraindicated during pregnancy—such as juniper, clary sage, jasmine, and peppermint—because they can cause premature labor or a miscarriage.
• Deep-massage techniques on the belly or the legs

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