Prenatal, Induction & Postpartum Massage FAQs in Virginia Beach
Answers to common questions about prenatal, induction and postpartum massage in Virginia Beach.
How do I prepare for my session?
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Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
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Arrive 10 min. before your appointment time.
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Drink plenty of water starting 24 hrs. prior to your session.
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review our cancellation policy.
What is the difference between therapeutic massage and prenatal massage?
One of the primary differences between the two is positioning & pressure. Depending on where you're on your pregnancy journey, I offer different positioning with pillows, towels & special bolsters. For facedown positioning I have a belly bolster that fully supports a pregnant mom’s belly up to 30-33 weeks. Any clients who are further along their pregnancy are supported with bolsters under their back & legs then the session is complete with side-lying for the final 20 min of the session.
Is it safe for me to get a massage during my first trimester?
Massage may be appropriate during the first trimester for many healthy pregnancies, but individual health conditions matter. Please let your therapist know about your pregnancy and discuss any concerns or complications with your prenatal care provider.
What are the Benefits of Prenatal Massage?
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reduces tension, stress & anxiety
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elevates mood, encourages loving maternal care
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normalizes blood pressure
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improves circulation
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aids lymphatic flow
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promotes relaxation
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raises endorphin levels
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eases muscular and joint pain
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relieves muscle spasms and cramps
How often should I receive a prenatal massage?
Pregnancy allows for a time of self-nurturing and with just like any other therapeutic practice it is best if done on a regular basis.
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 weekly or bi-weekly into your third.
When should I contact my maternity care provider before receiving massage?
When any of the following symptoms occur:
Any bleeding or staining
pitting edema
spike in blood pressure
Placenta previa (occlusion of the placenta over the cervix)
Placenta abruptia (tearing away of the placenta from the uterus)
She hasn't felt fetal movement for 8-10 hours
Ectopic pregnancy
severe abdominal or back pain
throbbing migraine headache
Are essential oils used during prenatal massage?
Essential oils may be used selectively during prenatal, induction and postnatal massage. This is based on the client's preferences, sensitivities and stage of pregnancy. Unscented sessions are always available, and clients with specific concerns should check with their maternity care provider. We source our massage oil blends from a licensed aromatherapist. Please let us know about sensitivities or recommendations from your maternity care provider.
What is an Induction Massage?
Our Induction Massage is designed for the final weeks of pregnancy, typically beginning at 39 weeks. The session combines massage, acupressure points, guided breathwork/meditation and reflexology.
The intention of the Induction Massage is to support the mother guiding the "busy energy" from the previous 9 months to slow down and shift toward the hips and lower body.. releasing the mind and grounding into the body. The Induction massage blend also helps with grounding the energy & hormones to help mothers feel more centered, calm and rested prior to labor.
This session is very slow, gentle, nurturing for the mother and baby.
These techniques may encourage the onset of labor, but there are no guarantees. The focus is on helping you feel supported, comfortable and ready for the transition into birth.
When can I book an Induction Massage?
Induction Massage is offered beginning when you are 39+ weeks of pregnancy.
If you have pregnancy complications or your maternity care provider has given you specific restrictions, please check with them before booking.
Does Induction Massage guarantee that labor will start?
No. Induction Massage does not guarantee labor will begin. The techniques used are intended to support relaxation and birth preparation and may encourage the onset of labor when your baby and body are ready. Even if labor does not begin afterward, many clients leave feeling deeply rested, relaxed, grounded and physically comfortable.
What is Postpartum Massage?
Postpartum Massage is full body massage designed to support you as your body and nervous system adjust after pregnancy and birth. Sessions may focus on areas commonly affected by motherhood, including the neck, shoulders, back, hips, wrists and forearms, while also giving you intentional time to rest and receive care.
At The Blissful Mama, postpartum care is available during the 24 months after giving birth and is designed to support both your physical and emotional recover.
How can Postpartum Massage support my recovery?
Massage can provide a quiet space to slow down, ease muscular tension and receive care while your body continues to recover. We believe postpartum support matters just as much as support during pregnancy, because mothers need nurturing too.
How soon after birth can I receive Postpartum Massage?
Every birth and recovery is different. We advise clients to tune into when their body needs it and is ready to be massaged. When massage feels appropriate depends on how you delivered, how you are healing and whether you have any postpartum complications.
If you had a C-section, significant complications or have concerns about your recovery, check with your maternity care provider before scheduling.
Can I bring my baby to my massage appointment?
YES! we currently have the ability to invite you to bring your baby up to 3-4 months old. We encourage you to bring a caregiver, your partner, mother or trusted family or friend. You will have time to help baby with nursing etc then caregiver would wait in reception area with baby while you received your massage. If baby wakes up and needs you, we will pause your session, give you your moment, and then resume the session.
We believe in supporting everyone to have a more relaxed nervous system, and sometimes that looks like having us come to you or you bringing baby and support along with you.
How often should I receive Postpartum Massage?
There is no single schedule that works for every woman. Some Clients want more frequent support during the early postpartum months, while others book when they need rest, tension relief or time to reconnect with themselves.
We recommend you speak with your therapist after your initial appointment to create a postpartum care plan.
Supporting Your Nervous System During Pregnancy
Pregnancy asks a lot the nervous system. Your body is constantly adapting physically, hormonally and emotionally, and research shows that the autonomic nervous system plays an important role in those pregnancy related changes.
Massage creates an opportunity to slow the pace, soften the muscular tension and give the body a period of quiet, supportive touch. Research on massage during pregnancy has found benefits for stress and anxiety, and some studies have also observed reductions in cortisol following massage.
This is where we like to think of massage as an invitation into "rest and receive." The parasympathetic nervous system is the branch associated with rest, digestion and recovery. Massage cannot guarantee that your nervous system will instantly "flip a switch," but calming touch, a safe environment, slower breathing and intentional rest may support the body's shift away from a constant stress response and toward a more restful state. Research on manual therapies suggests they can influence autonomic nervous system activity, although scientists are still studying exactly how specific techniques affect the response.
Sometimes the most powerful part of prenatal massage is simply giving your body permission to stop doing for a while, an invitation, a moment to pause, to soften, breathe, receive and feel supported.
Postpartum Support & Recovery
Healing after birth takes more than time. Your body needs nourishing food, hydration, sleep, rest, support and appropriate medical care as it recovers from pregnancy and childbirth.
Massage can become one part of that recovery support.
For many new mothers, a massage session may be one of the few times they are able to fully lie down, close their eyes, breathe deeply and receive care without needing to tend to anyone else. Some clients even fall asleep during their session. The period of quiet rest can be essential and valuable during a season when sleep is often fragmented.
Just as your body needs nutrients from food to support recovery, it also needs opportunities to rest, restore and reduce physical strain.
Postpartum massage may help ease common areas of muscular tension from feeding, holding and carrying baby while also creating protected time for rest and to receive.
We like to think of postpartum massage as a reminder to the body.. You don't have to be "on" every moment. You are allowed to rest, reset, receive. You can pour more into your baby when you allow others to pour into you.
Massage is not a replacement for sleep, nutrition or postpartum medical care, but it can be a beautiful addition to the support system surrounding a new mother as her body continues to recover.