When to make an appointment

We encourage you to make an appointment as soon as your body starts to feel the changes that occur with pregnnacy.

Massage Maintenance for an Optimal Pregnancy

We recommend a maintenance schedule for your body to maintain an optimal pregnancy.  So, how often do you need massage?  In general terms, you should see your massage therapist as often or more often than you see your care provider.  We have a recommended schedule for you to

If you have no physical discomforts during your pregnancy:

We recommend you come every month in the first and second trimesters, every other week when you enter the 3rd trimester, and weekly in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy (if you feel that your body needs it.)  If you start your massage maintenance early enough, you may not need weekly sessions at the end of pregnancy.  It just depends on how you feel and if the pregnancy is straining you at the end.

If you are experiencing common discomforts of pregnancy and strain on your body:

We recommend bi-weekly sessions until the immediate strain/discomfort is relived.  Once your body is in a more optial condition, then you can switch to the maintenance of once-per-month.  Only you will know if you need to come back more often.  If you deal with any ischemia (tension and lack of blood flow to the muscles) immediately, then your body can maintain at on a monthly basis.

We are committed to helping you feel better, and educating you on how you can continue to feel the effects of the massage long after your session.  We educate all our clients on posture, pregnancy exercises, sleep positions and other tips and tricks to minimize pregnancy discomforts and we teach everyone how to maintain the effects of their massage in between sessions.

What to Expect in Your First Session

Before Your Massage: Once you’ve completed your intake form, you and your practitioner will discuss how your feeling and which areas you’d like to focus on for the session. Your practitioner may also do some quick assessments of your posture, range of motion or ask you to pinpoint specific areas you may be experiencing pain or discomfort. Your practitioner will decide what position to begin your massage in.

Next the practitioner will leave you in private for a few minutes to undress and lie on the table, between the sheets and under a light blanket. Some clients disrobe fully, while others choose to leave their undergarments on. Choose what’s most comfortable for you. For warmth and privacy, you will be covered at all times except for the area of your body your practitioner is working on.

During Your Massage: Depending on your request, your massage might include your head, face, back, neck, shoulders, arms, abdomen, hips, legs and feet. Atlanta Pregnancy Massage provides theraputic wellness and medical massage that should feel comfortable, safe and should be a healing experience for you. If you experience any discomfort, pain or have any other concerns during your massage, please let your practitioner know. They will listen and adjust their massage plan, level of pressure or approach to suit your needs.

After Your Massage: Depending on the type of massage you received you’ll most likely be relaxed and may possibly feel sleepy. Make sure you’re fully alert before driving. Also, the physiological effects of massage cause your body to release stored up cellular toxin into the bloodstream. Drinking plenty of water over the next 24 hours will help eliminate these toxins, and re-hydrate your body.

Occassionally, depending on the type of massage you requested, you may actually feel sore the next day after your massage. This is not uncommon due to the nature of deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofacial release or other more vigorous massage styles. It is not our goal to create soreness, however, sometime healing massage is effective only by reversing the wear and tear we exert on our bodies. This reversal sometimes uncovers other, deeper structural imbalances or pain that also may be worked out through additional massage. If you should feel sore the day after your massage, drink plenty of water, consider a hot bath and get plenty of rest. Normally, any soreness will only last a short time and the longer term effects should be positive. Be sure and bring up any post-massage discomfort you feel with your practitioner so the two of you can discuss options.