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What is a Prenatal Massage?
Pregnancy changes literally EVERYTHING—your body, energy, sleep, even how you waddle your cute butt around Target looking for your next super cute preggo mama outfit. One day, you're glowing like you swallowed the sun, and the next, you're wondering if your back will ever stop feeling like it's being twisted by a tiny gremlin. Being a Taurus with Virgo rising, I feel every. single. change.
Prenatal massage isn't some fancy treat you splurge on once. Nope. When those ankles blow up like balloons and your hips feel like they're breaking apart, it becomes your lifeline. Trust me on this one.
Here in Beaverton, we're all about wellness stuff, right? But prenatal massage isn't just another trend. It's become THE thing pregnant folks swear by when they just want to feel normal again for an hour.
Are Prenatal Massages Safe?
Heck yes! But you gotta go to someone who knows pregnant bodies. These aren't just safe—they're freaking amazing.
My Virgo moon makes me super picky about therapists. Ours know exactly which spots to work and which to avoid so you don't go into labor on the table (unless that's what you want!).
Half our clients walk in because their midwife or doctor basically wrote "GET A MASSAGE" on a prescription pad. Not kidding. They see how it helps with swelling, stress, and those muscles that feel like they've declared war on your body.
Got a high-risk pregnancy? Talk to your doc first, obviously. But with the right person working on you, it's like having someone who finally understands what your poor body is going through.
When Can You Get a Prenatal Massage?
Most of us start in the second trimester when our bellies really pop and things start getting real. But let's be honest—some of us wait until we're practically dying from discomfort. Classic earth sign move, right? Pushing through pain like it's a badge of honor!
By the third trimester, my clients are literally counting down the days between appointments. If you're uncomfortable (and who isn't when you're basically a human submarine?), you don't have to just tough it out. Prenatal massage can be the difference between feeling like a beached whale and actually enjoying those last few weeks of pregnancy.
Can Prenatal Massage Induce Labor?
I get asked this ALL THE TIME, and the answer is nope! It's like when people blame Mercury retrograde for their coffee maker breaking—not actually how it works. There are pressure points that can potentially get contractions going, but any decent prenatal massage therapist knows exactly what to avoid unless you're full-term and actively trying to evict your tiny tenant (with your doctor's blessing, obviously).
Otherwise, prenatal massage is just about helping you feel less miserable—not about rushing your baby's birthday party. Your little one will make their grand entrance when they're good and ready!
How Does a Prenatal Massage Work?
A prenatal massage here feels nothing like those regular massages you got pre-pregnancy. You're not going to be face-down on the table (because, hello, belly!), and nobody's going to be digging into your muscles like they're mining for gold. Instead, we prop you up with like a million pillows, mostly on your side, and everything is super comfortable.
The massage itself is slow and rhythmic (classic Swedish massage)—it's like having someone who's both patient as a Taurus and adaptable as a Gemini working on your worst spots. It just feels good, you know?
The spots where people literally moan with relief include:
Those crazy swollen feet and ankles – No more looking like you're wearing water balloons instead of feet!
Lower back pain – Because carrying a bowling ball in your belly does weird things to your spine.
Sciatic nerve pain – Those electric zaps down your legs? We'll help tame that nonsense.
Neck and shoulder tension – Nobody tells you your upper body takes a beating too!
What Does a Prenatal Massage Consist Of?
Side-lying with a bunch of pillows so you're actually comfortable for once (I get obsessive about pillow placement—it's the Virgo in me).
Gentle but effective techniques that don't hurt but actually help.
Extra attention to those spots that make you want to cry—puffy feet, angry hips, and that back pain that wakes you up at night.
Optional good-smelling oils that are safe for pregnancy (my Gemini Venus loves giving you options!).
Although not required at all...many of our moms-to-be love pairing our prenatal massages with our prenatal yoga classes in Beaverton! It's just extra self-care time (when you can actually focus on yourself).
Bethany's Story: Walking Through Pregnancy Again
So my client Bethany (another stubborn earth sign) had a nightmare first pregnancy. By the end, she was in so much pain she basically couldn't walk from her bed to the bathroom. She spent those last months stuck in bed, feeling like the world was moving on without her. When she got pregnant again, she was freaking out about going through that same hell.
Then she found us. She started coming in twice a month, then bumped it up to every week as she got bigger. Her feet—which had been so swollen she couldn't see her ankles—finally started looking human again. That awful back pain eased up, and the sciatic nerve pain that had her in tears? Gone. She could actually sleep through the night without waking up in agony. And best part? She could WALK!
She had tears running down her face when she grabbed my hand and said, "Girl, these massages saved my life. I was so scared of being stuck in bed again."
That's why I love my job. Being pregnant is crazy hard sometimes. You should enjoy growing your little human! Your body's doing something incredible, so let's give it some love, right?
Does Insurance Cover a Prenatal Massage?
It depends on your plan—it's like how different planets affect everyone differently. Some insurance (like Regence BCBS and Providence) will cover part of it if your doctor writes a prescription. Always check with your insurance first and get the paperwork sorted.
And don't worry—I'm happy to help you figure out the insurance maze. It's my Virgo superpower to make sense of all that paperwork!
What to Wear to a Prenatal Massage?
Wear whatever the heck makes you comfortable! Most people show up in leggings and flowy tops. During the massage, you can keep on whatever you want—we use professional draping techniques so you're not feeling exposed. My Gemini Venus totally gets wanting to be comfy while still having options! That being said, I usually recommend leaving your underwear on so that way I have a line to tuck the sheet into.
What is a Prenatal Massage Like?
Picture this: You shuffle in, back killing you, feet swollen, and you just want relief. You lie down on this warm table and—OMG—someone finally positions you so nothing hurts.
The room smells nice—not that fake perfumy stuff but something light that doesn't make you nauseous (because everything makes you nauseous these days).
Then the massage starts. Those hands find that spot in your lower back that's been making you cry, and you feel the knot melting away. For real.
Your poor feet, which haven't fit in real shoes for months, get some love too. By the time you're done, you feel like yourself again—not just a walking incubator.
That's our prenatal massage. It's like your body's been hijacked by aliens and finally someone's helping you take back control. At least for an hour.
How is Prenatal Massage Different?
Regular massages can be intense—all that digging and pushing. Prenatal massage? Totally different ball game. We focus on:
Making you comfy without adding more pain (because you've got enough already). This usually means no deep pressure (what most refer to as deep tissue massage)
Avoiding those spots that might trigger contractions (we save those for when you're desperate at 40+ weeks)
Propping you up so your belly isn't squished (duh)
Working on pregnancy problems nobody warns you about—like when your ribs feel like they're splitting apart
It's like the difference between someone yelling "no pain, no gain!" and someone saying "let me help you feel human again." When you're growing a tiny human, you need the second one!
Are Prenatal Massages Safe in the Third Trimester?
Absolutely! This is when you need it most! Those last few weeks, your body is working overtime—it's like Jupiter energy on steroids. Regular massages help with circulation, keep your muscles from completely revolting, and can even make labor easier because you're not going in with totally tense muscles.
Those final weeks can feel like they last FOREVER, but massage makes the time go by so much more comfortably. Your body is doing something incredible—it deserves some serious support!
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Prenatal Massage?
Some BCBS plans will cover prenatal massage if your doctor prescribes it. If you're confused about your coverage (who isn't?), I'm happy to help you figure it out! My detail-obsessed Virgo traits come in handy when decoding insurance gibberish.
Why Choose Earth Breath Yoga for Prenatal Massage in Beaverton?
At Earth Breath Yoga, we get that pregnancy isn't just about surviving until delivery day—it's about actually feeling good while you're growing your little one. Whether you need serious pain relief, want to sleep through the night again, or just need an hour where someone takes care of YOU for a change, we've got you covered.
Book a prenatal massage today and let us take care of you—because you absolutely deserve it. You're literally creating life right now, and that's the most badass thing ever!
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