Pregnancy & Post Natal Massage
60 Minutes - £45
90 Minutes - £60
Pregnancy is a time of huge physical and emotional change. Your hormones vary considerably to create the right environment for your baby’s development and almost every part of your body is changing to accommodate their growth. Inclusive to this, the emotional stressors you may be feeling – being your first pregnancy, you may have had a history of miscarriage or gone through lengthy IVF, or you may be about to introduce a new member of the family to your existing children. All of this is entirely normal, but that’s not to say you couldn’t benefit from some support.
As no pregnancy is the same, no massage is either and each treatment will be specifically tailored to your needs on the day and is carried out with you lying on your side, fully covered with towels and supported by as many pillows as you need. My treatments are 60 or 90 minutes and can vary between full body or specific areas you need me to focus on. I use a variety of techniques to ease tight muscles, restricted joints and improve circulation (particularly to reduce fluid in swollen legs/ankles).
Supporting you every step of the way
Massage has been proven to be hugely beneficial during pregnancy and research has shown it can:
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Relax both you and your baby
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Ease some of the discomforts pregnancy can bring, such as back ache, leg cramps and swollen ankles
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Improve mood, lessen anxiety and reduce complications during pregnancy and birth
I completed a post graduate diploma in pregnancy massage in 2021 and more recently a diploma specialising in ante-nata and post-natal massage and have had the pleasure to support many women throughout their pregnancies.
Are there any restrictions on massage during pregnancy?
Massage during a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy is both safe and beneficial - both the NHS and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommend massage for managing back pain during pregnancy.
If you have any complications with your pregnancy or any previous ones it may still be safe to have a massage. I would be more than happy to discuss any concerns you have before you book a treatment. It is always advisable to check with your midwife before having any complementary therapy treatment during this time.
Although there is no evidence to suggest that massage during the first trimester of pregnancy can harm your baby in any way, I generally prefer to wait until the second trimester before commencing massage treatments. However, if there is a specific issue that you would like treatment for before that stage please do contact me to discuss it.
There is no stage of late pregnancy where massage is inadvisable - the latest I have treated a client was at 41 weeks.
When can I have massage after
my baby is born?
Massage during the post natal period can be most helpful to new mothers. In the early weeks it can help to restore the uterus to its normal size and help the mum relax, de-stress and regain lost energy, reducing post natal depression. Pregnancy and childbirth put the muscles under great stress and massage helps restore their condition, as well as relieving shoulder and neck pain caused by carrying and nursing your baby, which is especially important as your baby gets heavier.
Treatments are carried out in whichever position is most comfortable for you and can be safely carried out within days of the birth.
I also work with women who have had a C-section birth to help improve the health and feel of the surgical scar, underlying tissues and supporting them with any emotional stresses they may be feeling. I have attended a course on women’s health and scar tissue relief devised by Emma Gilmour who is a specialist in trauma informed bodywork. I use a combination of myofascial release techniques – read more about this here.
"Bonnie made me feel so welcome and at ease from the moment I walked through the door. After what has so far been a very stressful pregnancy it was lovely to just unwind and relax. I highly recommend :)"