In February of 2007 Sarah Tidwell and Reneé Kimes adopted The Pregnancy Massage Center (Atlanta, GA) from their good friend and mentor Julie Howell. Reneé Kimes is a nationally certified massage therapist entertaining the idea of a world gone massage. Her ultimate goal is to change people’s perception of touch back to the loving, caring, beneficial experience it truly is. Sarah has been an integrative massage therapist since 1998. Her certifications include 620 hours of Integrated Deep Tissue and Neuromuscular Therapy from the Atlanta School of Massage, 24 hours of Thai Massage from Dr. Camden Clay, and 32 hours Pre and Perinatal Massage from Carole Osborne-Sheets, the premier pregnancy massage educator in the nation.

Sarah and Renee were kind enough to sit down and answer a few of my questions about prenatal massage:

Q: I heard you shouldn't have your feet massaged when you are pregnant. Is that true?

A: Not true. Now more than ever your feet need relief from joint pressure and swelling. But there are acupressure points around the ankles and feet that, when actively and aggressively worked, can bring on contractions. This is handy during labor, but those specific places and techniques are carefully avoided until then. This is one of the many reasons to see a knowledgeable, pregnancy-certified therapist.

Q: Do I have to stop receiving massages close to my due date?

A: You may be relieved to know that in most cases it is safe (and beneficial!) to receive massages up to your due date and beyond. Many women schedule a session on their due date so they have something to look forward to if they have not yet gone into labor. A massage is a great way to prepare your body for the experience of giving birth. Women on bed rest should receive modified massage, (very light pressure on extremities and no abdominal massage) and you should always consult your doctor if you have special circumstances.

Q: Sometimes the skin on my belly feels so tight. Is it safe to have it massaged?

A: With proper technique and pressure levels, absolutely. By policy we do not massage abdomens in the first trimester. It is completely safe, as your uterus is still the size of a plum and protected by the bony structure of the pelvis. However, due to the high incident of miscarriage in the first trimester we avoid it because it tends to cause some anxiety, and the object of the massage is to reduce stress. After 12 weeks it is your option to request massage on your belly with light, circular strokes. This promotes skin elasticity and circulation to the general area. Especially in the third trimester, we like to think of it as baby's first massage. According to the mothers, they seem to like it very much!

Q: How often should I receive massages when I am pregnant?

A: Each woman and each pregnancy is different, so there is no standard answer for this question. If you are planning to use massage therapy as an integral part of your prenatal care we suggest once a month in the first trimester, twice a month in the second and third. If you are having a difficult pregnancy with back pain, sharp leg and hip pains or sleeplessness we recommend increasing your session to 1 1 /2 hours or coming once a week in the last trimester.

Do you have a question for our two massage therapists? Email me or leave it in the comments and I’ll get the answer for you!