Massage during 1st Trimester

Among some of the myths surrounding prenatal massage, is the misguided belief that massage should be avoided during the first trimester. It’s fair to say that under the skilled hands of a certified massage therapist, massage during the first trimester is not only safe, but can be very supportive during the transitional first months. If a woman in the early stage of pregnancy is experiencing any of the symptoms of a miscarriage, which may include bleeding, abdominal pain or cramping, and lower back, thigh or pelvic pain, she should not receive a massage.
If you choose to have a massage, you will need to communicate with your therapist as to whether you would like to have your abdomen massaged at any stage of the pregnancy. Abdominal massage should be done with an open palm, light pressure and gentle effleurage following a clockwise direction. The placenta is attached firmly to the uterus and appropriate massage will not damage or dislodge this strong attachment. A properly trained prenatal massage practitioner can safely and effectively address first-trimester concerns.