As long as you are comfortable, laying on your stomach during a massage will not hurt your baby.
Recommended Reading. It is a good idea to avoid having your tummy massaged, since pressure on that area when you're pregnant can make you uncomfortable.
Most prenatal massage is done in the side-lying position, since pregnant women should limit the time they spend on their back, and face-down massage gets difficult as the pregnancy rounds out.
It is generally safe for people to sleep on their stomach during pregnancy, although it may be uncomfortable and cause back or neck pain. Research suggests that it is safe for people to sleep in whichever position they prefer until around 30 weeks of gestation.
Experts stay safe by avoiding pressure points associated with the pelvis, wrists, hands, and ankles. Due to the risk of blood clots during pregnancy it is also important to avoid deep tissue massage in the legs. On the other hand, a deep tissue massage can do wonders for your back, shoulders and feet.
While a foot massage sounds tempting, you might wonder if it's safe during pregnancy. There are concerns about pregnant women who've developed blood clots in their legs. Changes to your blood flow put you more at risk of them during pregnancy.
Some spas advise you not to have treatments during the first trimester. Some might also recommend that you avoid going if you're beyond 32 weeks pregnant. You might find that you're feeling at your best in the second trimester when, hopefully, any pregnancy sickness has receded and you have some energy.
Is It Safe for Baby? Overall, lying on your stomach while pregnant will not hurt your baby. So, if this is your preferred sleeping position, or if you like to lie on your stomach to relax, you can rest assured that you are both safe.
What about sleeping on your stomach? Sleeping on your stomach is fine in early pregnancy — but sooner or later you'll have to turn over. Generally, sleeping on your stomach is OK until the belly is growing, which is between 16 and 18 weeks.
Depending on your stage of pregnancy, your body type, and even the time of day, sometimes your belly will feel soft and other times it will feel tight and hard. The reality is, there's no normal to compare yourself with. Pregnant bellies come in all shapes, sizes, and firmness.
Worried about lying on your stomach during an adjustment? Don't be! Pregnancy chiropractors have specialized equipment like adjustment tables with belly cutouts to accommodate your growing abdomen. There is absolutely no risk of putting undue pressure on the baby.
Dr. Zanotti reassures expectant mothers not to stress if they accidentally find themselves on their backs for a brief spell. “We do know that short periods of time ― even if you were on your back for an hour or two ― probably do no harm to your child,” she says.
If you are pregnant and working, you may want to reduce or avoid: Stooping, bending, or squatting often. Lifting heavy objects from the floor or any location that requires you to bend or reach. Lifting overhead or reaching.
The uterine walls and amniotic fluid protect your baby from being squished. To make this position more comfortable, you may consider purchasing a stomach sleeping pillow. Some are inflatable and some are more like a firm pillow with a large cutout for your belly.
A midwife or doctor will use abdominal palpation during an antenatal visit to examine a baby's position and development.
As a general rule of thumb, prenatal massage can benefit you throughout your pregnancy with monthly appointments until around 27 weeks, then twice monthly appointments from around 27 weeks to 36 weeks, and weekly appointments from 36 weeks until you give birth.
Unless your doctor has advised you not to have a pregnancy massage due to underlying health or medical concerns, or if your pregnancy is under consultant care, you have the green light to have a pregnancy massage once you've reached the 38-week mark and beyond.
One of the pressure points that pregnant women must avoid is found in the ankles. The medial malleolus, also known as the Sanyinjioa or SP6, is a spot located three fingers' width above the ankle bone. If the medial malleolus is manipulated during pregnancy, it can lead to contractions, which is not safe for the fetus.
Many physicians advise pregnant women to sleep on their left side. Previous studies have linked back and right-side sleeping with a higher risk of stillbirth, reduced fetal growth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia, a life-threatening high blood pressure disorder that affects the mother.
The takeaway
While it's true your baby can cry in the womb, it doesn't make a sound, and it's not something to worry about. The baby's practice cries include imitating the breathing pattern, facial expression, and mouth movements of a baby crying outside of the womb. You shouldn't worry that your baby is in pain.
When lying on your back, that added weight can put pressure on your inferior vena cava, a major vein leading back to your heart. That has the potential to partially disrupt blood flow, and that's why it's advised to avoid lying on your back for extended periods of time.
Grapes. This one is a bit up in the air, but it is sometimes advised that women avoid grapes during their pregnancy. This is because grapes contain resveratrol, a toxic compound that could cause poisoning or other pregnancy complications.