Prenatal Massage
in Santa Rosa.
Bodywork designed specifically for pregnant women, whose bodies endure tremendous stress through dramatic physical and emotional change. Techniques developed for the expecting mother relieve pain and discomfort, ease joint pain from added weight and postural shifts, and support better breathing and relaxation.
What prenatal massage is for
MedlinePlus lists backaches and leg pain among the pregnancy symptoms your provider will talk with you about managing. People commonly come in for low back ache, sore hips, a tight neck and shoulders as posture shifts forward, and legs that feel heavy by evening.
Prenatal massage is ordinary massage adapted to a pregnant body. Cleveland Clinic lists stress and back and leg pain among its common uses.
On the evidence, plainly. Most of the research studies massage in general, and very little looks at pregnancy. The NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health rates the evidence for massage in chronic low back pain as low in strength. The work is offered for comfort, and it does not treat a pregnancy condition.
What a prenatal session is like
It starts with questions. The American Massage Therapy Association describes the usual intake as covering medical history, lifestyle, stress levels, medications and areas of physical pain. The therapist then leaves the room while you undress to your comfort level, and you lie under a sheet that covers everything except the part being worked.
The work is done side-lying, on your left or right side, because Cleveland Clinic's guidance is that lying on the stomach or back in pregnancy raises the risk of low blood pressure and can put pressure on nerves. Pillows and firm bolsters do the structural work instead, and typical arrangements put one between the knees, one under the belly and one under the top arm.
Prenatal work is generally kept to light or medium pressure. Cleveland Clinic notes that deep pressure can affect blood pressure in pregnancy and is not advised where blood clots are a concern. I adjust pressure as we go, so speak up the moment a position stops working.
Who commonly books prenatal massage
- Second and third trimester aching in the low back, hips and pelvis
- Sleep broken by hip and side soreness
- Legs and feet that feel heavy by evening, once your provider has looked at any swelling
- Long hours standing, or long hours at a desk with a changed center of gravity
- Anyone who wants slower, lighter work than deep tissue
- People whose midwife or obstetrician is happy for them to have massage
Session lengths and rates
| Duration | Investment |
|---|---|
| 70 min | $165 |
| 90 min | $195 |
Packages are prepaid and shared across every massage style, so each session can be whatever your body needs that day. Three sessions save 15%, six save 20%, and twelve save 25%. Payment is settled in person, and cash payments earn 8% off.
Prenatal and oncology bookings should include a brief note at scheduling so the protocols and positioning can be adapted appropriately.
What to mention when you book
Clearance from your midwife or obstetrician comes first. Cleveland Clinic says to always check with your pregnancy provider before a prenatal massage, and notes they may advise against it with concerns such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure. It also says most pregnancy providers recommend waiting until the beginning of the second trimester, twelve weeks and beyond. That is general guidance rather than a rule of this studio.
A short note at booking covers the rest: how far along you are, that your provider is fine with massage, anything being monitored such as blood pressure or a clotting history, and any area you would like left alone. Bleeding, sharp pain or sudden swelling goes to your provider first.
Common questions
What should I wear for a prenatal massage?
Can a massage bring on labor?
How late in pregnancy can I still book a session?
Does it help with sciatica or shooting leg pain?
Where the sessions happen
The boutique is at 3914 Princeton Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95405, and every session is by appointment. Booking times vary week to week. The open times shown when you book are the current ones. To ask a question before you book, call (707) 596-3117.
Other ways to work with the body
Every session is tailored on the day, so if another style fits better once you are on the table, we change course.
Where the general information on this page comes from
- Cleveland Clinic, Prenatal Massage
- NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Massage Therapy: What You Need To Know
- Cochrane review (via PubMed Central), Massage, reflexology and other manual methods for pain management in labour
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, Pregnancy care
- American Massage Therapy Association, "What to Expect at a Massage Session"
General information about the style of bodywork, offered so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice. For anything concerning a diagnosis, a medication or a pregnancy, please speak with your own clinician. As the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health puts it, do not use massage to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
Ready for a session?
Pick Prenatal Massage when you book, see the current open times, and request the one that fits.
See open times →