Pregnancy Massage In North Surrey
What To Expect In Your Pregnancy Massage
Care for the Mother in Every Trimester
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Collaborative Discussion
We start by discussing your current symptoms, history, and wellness goals to ensure your care matches exactly what you need today and want to be after baby is born.
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Movement & Postural Evaluation
Movement testing allows your RMT to see how your body is managing your shifting center of gravity and unique holding patterns.
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Targeted Assessment
Where indicated, a gentle, clinical assessment of the soft tissues helps locate specific areas of muscular stress and structural tension to focus on during the ongoing sessions.
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Modified Manual Treatment
With the Intake Your hands-on treatment is easily adapted to your physical comfort, focusing on prevention, wellness and relief while restoring ease of movement.
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Practical Home Care
You may leave with a simple, targeted home care plan, including remedial exercises to maintain your progress and support your body between visits.
While subsequent visits will follow your agreed-upon treatment plan, your initial visit goes through the following collaborative steps. This allows us to map out a clear plan of action to support your body through the ebbs and flows of pregnancy, delivery, and your transition into postpartum newborn care.
Trimester Based Massage
"No two pregnancies are the same, even within the same body. Each trimester is a unique journey of its own and when the mother feels supported, the wisdom of her body can support her baby."
-The Nesting Sanctuary RMT
0-12 weeks
Internal change, hormonal shifts & energy demand.
A time for gentle care & listening to your body cues.
Many women share grappling with new sensations
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Tender breasts
• General feeling of being unwell
You may also notice:
• Neck and upper back tension
• Increased sensitivity to stress or pressure
There is minimal structural load, but high internal demand.
How Massage May Help
• Supports nervous system regulation
• Reduces headaches and physical tension
• Promotes rest and sleep
• Offers gentle, grounding support
Massage in the1st Trimester
Massage in the2nd Trimester
13-27 Weeks
Pregnancy specific support.
Expansion, postural change & emerging load .
As your abdomen expands, your center of gravity shifts and your posture begins to adapt.
Ligaments are lax while load redistributes.
Your muscles and fascia adjust to support your body’s growth.
Piriformis / sciatic-type symptoms
Pelvic alignment shifts.
Piriformis may contribute to sciatic-type discomfort.
You may feel:
• Deep glute pain
• Radiating discomfort down the leg
• Pain with sitting or walking
Pelvic girdle pain / Pubic Symphysis Dysfunction (PSD)
ligament softening + load imbalance
You may feel:
• Pain at the front of the pelvis
• Difficulty rolling in bed
• Pain with single-leg movements
Emerging circulation & lower body changes
You may feel:
• Leg fatigue or heaviness
• Calf tightness
• Early fluid retention
Ribs begin to flare outward & Diaphragm mobility adapts
You may feel:
• Rib tenderness
• Discomfort with deep breathing
• Mild-back stiffness
Postural & Core Changes
• Reduced abdominal support
• Early Diastasis Recti may begin here
You may feel:
• Postural fatigue
• Increased demand on spine & shoulders
Chest & hip tension
Increased breast weight → anterior chest load
You may feel:
• Pec tightness and rounding through shoulders
• Hip flexor tension contributing to pelvic pull
This is a phase of adaptation and reorganization
How Massage Therapy May Help
• Reduce low back and pelvic discomfort
• Supports rib and diaphragm mobility and breath patterns
• Relieves glute and sciatic-type tension
• Improves circulation in legs and calves
• Ease chest and hip tension
• Supports postural balance
Massage in the 3rd Trimester
28-40 Weeks
Sustained load, compression & preparation for birth
At maximum uterine size, the body carries increased load through the hips and pelvis, often leading to cumulative fatigue and reduced space for movement and breath. With sustained mechanical load, tissues and surrounding structures experience more compression, alongside increased demands on fluid balance and circulation.
Persistent back & pelvic pain
• Increased lumbar load
• SI joint stress more constant
• Pelvic instability more noticeable
Rib & diaphragm compression
• Diaphragm movement becomes restricted
• Ribs compressed from below
You may feel:
• Shortness of breath
• Rib pain or pressure
• Difficulty getting comfortable
Sleep & positioning strain
• Difficulty finding comfortable positions
• Side-lying strain through hips and shoulders
• Heaviness in lower limbs
Carpal tunnel symptoms
Fluid compresses wrist structures
You may feel:
• Numbness or tingling in hands
• Wrist discomfort
• Reduced grip strength
Lower body & foot strain
You may feel:
• Calf tightness
• Foot fatigue or flattening of arches
How Massage Therapy May Help
The body is carrying and preparing for birth
• Reduces swelling and supports circulation
• Relieves back, hip, and pelvic tension
• Eases rib and breathing discomfort
• Reduces nerve compression (carpal tunnel, sciatic-type symptoms)
• Supports rest and nervous system regulation
• Improves comfort in side-lying positions
Provide remedial exercises to prepare holding and feeding a new born
A Note On Your Care: The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment. Registered Massage Therapy includes the clinical assessment and treatment of soft tissues and joints to relieve pain, rehabilitate physical function, and prevent or treat injuries and musculoskeletal disorders. Please consult your physician or primary healthcare provider for individualized medical care.