Prenatal & Postnatal Needs

What the research shows…

1) Massage can help reduce common pregnancy discomforts

As pregnancy progresses, changes in posture, weight distribution, joint mobility, and hormones place increasing demands on the body. Massage therapy has been shown to help relieve many of these common discomforts. Research reports improvements in:

• Lower back pain
• Pelvic and hip discomfort
• Neck and shoulder tension
• Leg cramps
• Muscle soreness
• Swelling in the legs and feet
• Headaches
• Sleep discomfort

Massage may also improve circulation, reduce muscle tension, and promote overall physical comfort throughout pregnancy (El-Hosary et al., 2016; Mueller & Grunwald, 2021).

2) Massage supports relaxation and emotional well-being

Pregnancy can be accompanied by increased stress, anxiety, and mood changes. A growing body of research suggests massage therapy supports both physical and emotional health. Studies have found prenatal massage may:

• Reduce stress
• Decrease anxiety
• Reduce symptoms of depression
• Improve mood
• Promote relaxation
• Increase feelings of well-being

These effects are thought to occur through nervous system regulation and measurable physiological changes, including increased serotonin and dopamine and reduced stress hormone activity (Mueller & Grunwald, 2021).

A recent systematic review also found that relaxation-based interventions during pregnancy significantly reduced maternal stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms while supporting healthier pregnancy outcomes (Abera et al., 2024).

3) Massage may improve sleep

Sleep often becomes more difficult as pregnancy progresses due to discomfort, hormonal changes, and difficulty finding comfortable positions. Research suggests massage therapy may help:

• Improve sleep quality
• Reduce nighttime discomfort
• Improve relaxation before sleep
• Reduce fatigue

Improved sleep is likely related to reduced muscle tension, decreased pain, and improved nervous system regulation (El-Hosary et al., 2016; Mueller & Grunwald, 2021).

4) Massage may contribute to healthier pregnancy outcomes

Although massage is not intended to prevent pregnancy complications, research suggests regular prenatal massage may positively influence maternal health. Studies have reported associations with:

• Reduced maternal stress
• Improved immune function
• Higher serotonin and dopamine levels
• Reduced cortisol
• Increased birth weight
• Reduced risk of preterm birth in healthy pregnancies

Current evidence supports massage as a safe complementary therapy for uncomplicated pregnancies after the first trimester when appropriate precautions are followed (Mueller & Grunwald, 2021).

5) Massage supports recovery after birth

The postpartum period places considerable physical demands on the body while parents adjust to caring for a newborn. Research suggests massage may assist recovery by helping reduce:

• Incisional discomfort following Caesarean birth
• General muscle soreness
• Neck and shoulder tension from feeding and infant care
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Pain associated with postpartum recovery

A systematic review found massage significantly reduced pain following Caesarean birth during the first 24 hours and continued to improve comfort during the first week postpartum, although researchers note that additional high-quality studies are still needed (Smith et al., 2022).

6) Massage supports the transition into parenthood

Recovery after birth involves more than physical healing. Sleep disruption, hormonal changes, breastfeeding, and adjusting to a new routine can all affect emotional well-being. Research suggests massage may help support:

• Relaxation
• Emotional well-being
• Better sleep
• Reduced stress
• Improved recovery
• Greater overall quality of life

Emerging research also suggests that infant massage taught to parents may reduce symptoms of postnatal depression while strengthening parent–infant bonding and confidence (Geary et al., 2023). While this differs from therapeutic massage provided to the mother, it highlights the important role of nurturing touch during the postpartum period.

7) Prenatal perineal massage has strong evidence for birth preparation

Prenatal perineal massage is a separate technique from therapeutic massage and is typically introduced during the final weeks of pregnancy.

Research shows it may:

• Reduce severe (third- and fourth-degree) perineal tears
• Reduce the likelihood of episiotomy
• Reduce long-term postpartum perineal pain
• Improve tissue flexibility before birth

A large meta-analysis involving more than 6,400 women found prenatal perineal massage significantly reduced severe perineal injury and long-term postpartum pain (Chen et al., 2022).

Is prenatal massage safe?

Current evidence indicates that relaxation massage is generally considered safe for healthy pregnancies after the first trimester when performed by a qualified massage therapist trained in prenatal care.

Massage may not be appropriate for every pregnancy. Your massage therapist will complete a health history and may recommend obtaining medical clearance if there are concerns such as:

• High-risk pregnancy
• Preeclampsia
• Significant bleeding
• Preterm labour risk
• Deep vein thrombosis or blood clot concerns
• Other pregnancy complications

Research has found very few reported adverse effects from prenatal massage in healthy pregnancies, with most reported side effects being mild and temporary (Mueller & Grunwald, 2021).

What this means in practice

 Prenatal and postnatal massage are not intended to replace medical or obstetrical care. However, growing evidence supports massage therapy as a safe and effective complementary approach for many healthy pregnancies and postpartum recoveries. Many women report:

• Less back and pelvic pain
• Better sleep
• Reduced anxiety and stress
• Improved relaxation
• Greater physical comfort
• Easier recovery after birth
• Improved overall well-being

Massage provides dedicated time to care for your changing body while supporting comfort, relaxation, and recovery throughout pregnancy and the postpartum journey.