Can you sit in a massage chair while pregnant? [is it REALLY safe?]
If you’re one of the many who are eagerly counting down the days until your little one makes his or her appearance, you may be wondering about different ways to relax and prepare for labor. Massage is a great way to unwind, but if you’re pregnant, is it safe to use a massage chair while pregnant?
The answer may surprise you: yes, it is safe to get a massage while pregnant – as long as certain precautions are taken.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss which types of massages are best for expectant mothers and what precautions should be taken when receiving them. We’ll also explore whether or not it’s safe to sit in a massage chair while pregnant and offer some tips for staying safe when getting massages.
So read on to learn all you need to know about enjoying prenatal massages!
There are a lot of changes that occur during pregnancy, which can lead to different aches and pains. For many women, massage chairs provide much-needed relief.
Are massage chairs safe during pregnancy? [first, second, and third trimester]
Generally speaking, massage chairs are considered safe for pregnant women. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First and foremost, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before using a massage chair. They can let you know if there are any risks based on your individual health situation.
Additionally, when using a massage chair during pregnancy, be sure to avoid any pressure points on the lower abdomen or spine.
Finally, it is best to use a massage chair for shorter periods of time (15 minutes or less) to reduce the risk of overheating.
Can you sit in a massage chair while pregnant?
The answer is generally yes, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, avoid any chairs that have heaters or vibrating mechanisms. These can be dangerous for both you and your baby.
Second, make sure the chair you select has a pregnancy pillow or cushion. This will help support your belly and prevent you from sliding down into the footrest.
Finally, listen to your body. If you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, stop using the chair and call your doctor.
But how safe are they?
There is a lot of misunderstanding about having a massage chair when pregnant. When making massage chairs for pregnant women, certain manufacturers go above and above. They do so due to 2 main issues with massage chairs’ safety:
- Pressure nods
Many pressure areas in acupressure may cause pregnant women to go into labor. The idea behind the safety worry is that pressure nodes in massage chairs might also push certain areas, causing pregnant women to go into labor.
Women who are pregnant at an early stage should refrain from pushing these points, even if it may be helpful for expectant women who are thinking about their delivery dates. Because of this, the majority of pregnant women opt to avoid or at least limit their usage of massage chairs.
However, it seems to be a misconception since there isn’t any scientific proof connecting massage chair usage to premature labor or miscarriages.
Given the lack of scientific evidence that massage chairs are harmful to expectant moms or their newborns, using them may actually be safe and advantageous for pregnant women.
Another big worry of expectant moms is that the vibrations from the massage chair may hurt or obstruct the growth of their unborn child. That’s not the case, however.
First of all, massage chairs can only create vibrations that are comparable to those produced by your regular body motions. Second, your baby floats in the amniotic sac, which expressly shields and protects it from shocks while it is still in the womb).
- Heating pads
Pregnant women should avoid extended exposure to extreme heat since it might result in hyperthermia (a state of increased body temperature). It may have a significant impact on your unborn child’s development.
Nevertheless, no substantial study backs up the claim. The heating pads in massage chairs may enhance their calming and relaxing benefits by gently warming your body. You should be aware that there is no conclusive link between a fetus’s development and the heating pads of massage chairs.
Can you use a vibrating back massager while pregnant?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question, as every woman’s body is different and will react differently to different things during pregnancy.
However, it is generally recommended that pregnant women avoid using vibrating back massagers, as there is a small chance that they could cause problems such as miscarriage.
In general, it is always best to speak with a doctor before using any type of back massager during pregnancy.
Can a massage chair induce labor?
There is no definitive answer, as each woman and pregnancy is different. However, there are some theories as to how a massage chair might help induce labor.
One theory is that the vibration of the massage chair can help to stimulate labor contractions.
Additionally, the heat from the massage chair can relax the muscles and joints, which may also help to bring on labor contractions.
It is important to remember that inducing labor should only be done under the care and guidance of a healthcare professional. If you are interested in using a massage chair to help induce labor, be sure to speak with your doctor or midwife first.
Benefits of massage during pregnancy:
- Makes labor easy:
According to study, massage treatment during birth guarantees a shorter labor and lowers the risk of postpartum depression.
For most pregnant women, a nice relaxing massage may be a comfortable and go-to treatment to ease certain discomfort. But if you’re thinking about using a massage chair while pregnant, there are several things you need to watch out for.
While you may be able to benefit from a massage chair while expecting, make sure it doesn’t have any heating pads and take the necessary safety measures. Don’t forget to talk to your OB/GYN before using a massage chair while pregnant. If you have a history of premature labor or have any underlying illnesses like headaches, preeclampsia, or preeclampsia, stay away from using them.
- Eases leg and back pain:
You may have lower back and leg discomfort during pregnancy. Your expanding uterus takes up a lot of room and puts strain on your body. A decent massage session may greatly alleviate this pain.
- Lowers stress:
Prenatal massage reduces stress, anxiety, and melancholy while regulating the body’s hormone balance.
Things to keep in mind before using massage chairs:
Avoid exerting too much pressure on your developing tummy during the third trimester. Avoid attempting to force your body into the chair. Don’t use a massage chair if you are too large for it.
You should only use these massage chairs for a short period of time at a time. Even if you may want to take a sleep on the chair, limit your time to no more than 15-20 minutes!
Can you use a massage gun while pregnant?
Yes, you can use a massage gun while pregnant. Pregnant women can benefit from using a massage gun to help relieve tension and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders. Massage guns can also help to improve circulation and reduce swelling. However, it is important to consult with your doctor before using a massage gun during pregnancy.
Can massage gun cause miscarriage?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that using a massage gun during pregnancy can cause miscarriage.
However, as with any type of massage, it is important to consult with your doctor or midwife before using a massage gun during pregnancy, as they can advise you on whether or not it is right for you.
If you do choose to use a massage gun during pregnancy, it is important to use it on the lowest setting and avoid any areas that may be tender or sensitive.
Which areas should not be massaged during pregnancy?
There are other ways to have a massage if you’re pregnant except on a massage chair.
You may give professional massage treatment a try.
Pregnancy massage is a specialty for certain massage therapists, and they are knowledgeable about what is good and unhealthy for the pregnant body and the developing fetus. They will stay away from “trigger spots” that can bring on an early labor.
Pressure points around the pelvis are areas to stay away from while having a massage during pregnancy. You should also avoid getting them on your hands, wrists, and ankles.
Manufacturers of massage chairs often advise against using them while pregnant since they might cause these pressure points to be triggered. Many massage chairs come with heated pads as well, which may make pregnant women sweat excessively.
When to avoid?
You may avoid utilizing an electric massage chair at any time if you’re concerned about doing so while pregnant. It could be more unpleasant for some individuals in the first trimester and the last four weeks of pregnancy.
For other considerations, such as the following, you may wish to avoid from using the massage chair while pregnant:
- Morning sickness – All that moving about could make you queasy if you suffer from severe morning sickness.
- Sciatica – You may believe that having a massage is a wise choice if you have sciatica. However, it may actually make already painful or strained muscles and nerves worse by aggravating them.
- Back pain – Lower back discomfort follows the same rule. Back discomfort during pregnancy may be challenging, and you risk aggravating the condition.
It’s a good practice to discuss why you want to utilize a massage chair with a doctor or midwife if you’re in a lot of discomfort.
FAQ
Can vibrations hurt a fetus?
Toys, whether they vibrate or not, are safe to use at all stages of pregnancy, whether internally or externally, during intercourse or while masturbating, unless you have been informed otherwise. Actually, using sex toys while pregnant may be a wonderful way to relax, ease pain, and discover your developing body.
What are the pressure points to avoid during pregnancy?
Although there is disagreement over the whole range of forbidden points,3 the points in the lower abdomen (such as CV3-CV7) and sacral area are most usually mentioned as being inappropriate throughout pregnancy (at least before 37 weeks) (eg, BL27–34).
Is it okay to massage your legs while pregnant?
Pregnancy massage specialists advise against intense pressure and deep massage on the legs for safety’s sake. Strong pressure may cause a blood clot to be released. Rather, they massage the legs with extremely mild, gradual strokes.
References we used:
- https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/can-i-get-a-massage-while-pregnant
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9443139/
Read more:
How long can I sit in the sun while pregnant? [is it safe for baby]
What sitting positions to avoid during pregnancy? [all you need]
Is it ok to take a cold shower when pregnant? [is it really safe?]
