I have to admit: I meant to write this five months ago. At the time, I was preparing for maternity leave, and this story — about my experience getting a monthly prenatal massage during my third trimester — was on my final to-do list. I was looking forward to writing it and it would be a sweet last word before moving on to my sweet newborn bubble. I had plenty of time, I thought.
Then, at my 37-week appointment, it became clear that my daughter was going to arrive right that day, a few weeks earlier than expected, and life has been different since in every way imaginable. I ended up not having enough time to set up my out of office message. So, I’m writing this now, on the other side of maternity leave, in a haze of diaper changes, sleep training, and really bad spit up.
Here’s what I remember: I had an easy pregnancy until my third trimester. I had spent most of my second trimester traveling, and it was getting to me. I was lazy and my feet had grown several sizes. My husband was tired of rubbing his feet at night (even though he won’t admit it), and it was time to seek professional help. That’s when I watched NOW.
NOW is a self-described “massage shop” with over 85 locations nationwide. The service menu is simple – with only three different types of massage and a few extra cost enhancements – but its aim is to make this kind of self-care more accessible and, therefore, more of a habit. For example, in Los Angeles, where I live, a 50-minute massage is $130. However, by committing to a monthly membership, I can save $35. . . and hopefully it will deal with the issue of swollen feet. So, seven months pregnant, I tried. Here’s how it went.
My Experience of Getting Monthly Prenatal Massages
NOW it’s bright in Pasadena. In the afternoon, the sun shines on a row of white pillows carefully aligned on a wooden bench. I came with a rain cloud. I was physically and mentally exhausted from the inconclusive results of a recent ultrasound that found a cyst on our baby’s ovaries. I was also in the middle of a fight with my old friend.
I met with my massage therapist who explained my various discomforts, namely hip stiffness and sore feet. He listened to me sympathetically and shepherded me from behind. NOW has an open setup, with each massage table separated by layers of canvas drapes. Maybe it sounds more public than it is, though. Thanks to the magic of the dim light and ocean waves on the loop, once you settle into your space, it manages to feel like a private room.
Getting a massage while pregnant is interesting because you can’t lie on your back or your stomach. So, the side that is. My massage therapist gave me a body pillow to lean on, and a regular pillow to put between my legs. Although I’m a regular side sleeper, there’s still a learning curve here; I had to adjust both pillows a bit to get the right position, then repeat the process again when I switch sides in the middle of the massage.
The massage was pleasant and physically relaxing, but my mind was noisy. My thoughts raced about the baby and everything that remained to be accomplished before his arrival: pack the hospital bag, finish the nursery, figure out how that bottle washer works. And I was worried about the cyst, hoping it wouldn’t affect the baby’s growth. Before I knew it, the 50 minutes were up and I was angry at myself for spending so much time in my head.
When I came back a month later, I was determined. I was very familiar with the shape of the pillow I chose, and each time my mind began to worry about something or the other, I went for the latter. It didn’t always work, but I was much more relaxed in that second massage, and I left feeling relaxed, too. My feet, on the other hand, seemed less swollen, at least. (Actually, the problem will continue until I deliver.)
It’s funny when you know you’re stressed and tired, but you can’t bring yourself to rest when it finally comes. Forgive me for being tongue-in-cheek here, but it’s like pouring water on a desert. Why do we do this?
Not only did I get a lot of feedback, but when it was time for the third and final massage, I was able to calm my mind. The hospital bag was packed, the follow-up ultrasound informed me that the baby’s tumor had disappeared, and although there was still a lot of work to be done – not to mention the whole labor and delivery thing – I fell asleep after the massage.
Final thoughts
Did these massages solve all my childbirth problems? No, not really, but if you have the opportunity to engage in regular treatment at any time during pregnancy, but especially during the third trimester, do it. Although it took me a while to fully relax—and I’m used to being on my side—I was so thankful that I took that time to prioritize self-care before my baby turned life upside down.
In fact, it’s a lesson I ended up taking during the so-called fourth trimester: a month after I gave birth, I decided to return the monthly membership. It’s hard to make time for yourself as a new mom, and I’m not going to lie, it takes a little cooperation every month to sneak in that hour, especially since I’m still breastfeeding, but it’s been worth it. And another upside to being a sleepy parent? Now I have no problem falling asleep during the massage.
Kelsey Garcia (she) is the lifestyle director at PS, where she oversees coverage across Balance and Health & Fitness. Kelsey is passionate about travel, health trends, and evolving parenting trends. Before joining the PS team as an editorial assistant in 2015, she worked at Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, among other publications.
