Can You Get a Massage While Pregnant?
Yes — massage is safe and helpful in pregnancy when done by a therapist trained in prenatal massage; many avoid deep work in the first trimester.
The full answer
A pregnancy (prenatal) massage can ease back pain, swelling, and stress, and it's considered safe when carried out by a qualified therapist who knows how to position and treat pregnant clients. From the second trimester you'll usually be positioned on your side or well supported rather than flat on your stomach or back. Many therapists avoid massage in the first trimester, or keep it very gentle, mainly as a precaution. Reputable prenatal therapists also go easy on deep, firm pressure around certain points on the ankles and wrists. Tell your therapist that you're pregnant and how far along you are, choose someone experienced in prenatal work, and skip any spa heat treatments — hot tubs, saunas — that might be bundled in.
How to get a massage safely
- Choose a therapist qualified in prenatal massage
- From the 2nd trimester, be positioned on your side or supported, not flat
- Tell them you're pregnant; skip bundled hot tub/sauna treatments
When to avoid: Check first if you have a high-risk pregnancy, blood-clot risk, or bleeding; avoid deep abdominal pressure.
Massage by trimester
| Stage | What changes |
|---|---|
| First trimester | Massage is generally fine, though many therapists prefer to wait until after the first trimester as a matter of their own policy rather than because of established risk. |
| Second trimester | Often the most comfortable time for it, and prenatal massage is widely available. A therapist trained in pregnancy will know the positioning and pressure adjustments. |
| Third trimester | Still fine with a suitably trained therapist. Lying flat on your back for long periods is usually avoided this late, so side-lying or supported positions are standard. |
Common questions about massage in pregnancy
Is massage safe during pregnancy?
Generally yes, with a therapist experienced in pregnancy. Many decline in the first trimester as a precaution of their own, which is policy rather than evidence of harm. If you have pregnancy complications, check with your provider first.
Are there areas that get avoided?
Some therapists avoid deep pressure at certain points on the ankles and wrists, based on traditional practice rather than strong evidence. Deep abdominal work is avoided. A prenatal-trained therapist will handle this without you needing to direct it.
What position will I be in?
Usually side-lying with pillows, or seated and supported. Lying face-down becomes impractical, and lying flat on your back for long periods is generally avoided later in pregnancy.
Staying safe and active in pregnancy
Most “can I do this?” questions in pregnancy come down to three things. Overheating — anything that pushes your core temperature above about 102°F (39°C), like hot tubs, saunas, and very hot baths — is best avoided, especially in the first trimester. Impact and balance — falls, contact sports, and jarring, high-force rides are the reason some activities are off-limits later on. And infection or absorption — the reason tattoos and some treatments call for caution. Set against that, movement is actively encouraged: about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week is recommended in a healthy pregnancy. When in doubt about your situation, your midwife or provider is the final word.
For the full picture, see our pregnancy safety guide, and track your pregnancy with the How Far Along Am I? calculator and the week-by-week guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you get a massage while pregnant?
- Yes — massage is safe and helpful in pregnancy when done by a therapist trained in prenatal massage; many avoid deep work in the first trimester. A pregnancy (prenatal) massage can ease back pain, swelling, and stress, and it's considered safe when carried out by a qualified therapist who knows how to position and treat pregnant clients. From the second trimester you'll usually be positioned on your side or well supported rather than flat on your stomach or back. Many therapists avoid massage in the first trimester, or keep it very gentle, mainly as a precaution. Reputable prenatal therapists also go easy on deep, firm pressure around certain points on the ankles and wrists. Tell your therapist that you're pregnant and how far along you are, choose someone experienced in prenatal work, and skip any spa heat treatments — hot tubs, saunas — that might be bundled in.
- Why is getting a massage considered safe in pregnancy?
- A pregnancy (prenatal) massage can ease back pain, swelling, and stress, and it's considered safe when carried out by a qualified therapist who knows how to position and treat pregnant clients. From the second trimester you'll usually be positioned on your side or well supported rather than flat on your stomach or back. Many therapists avoid massage in the first trimester, or keep it very gentle, mainly as a precaution. Reputable prenatal therapists also go easy on deep, firm pressure around certain points on the ankles and wrists. Tell your therapist that you're pregnant and how far along you are, choose someone experienced in prenatal work, and skip any spa heat treatments — hot tubs, saunas — that might be bundled in.
- When should I avoid getting a massage during pregnancy?
- Check first if you have a high-risk pregnancy, blood-clot risk, or bleeding; avoid deep abdominal pressure.