Pregnancy Massage
on the Gold Coast
Supporting comfort, sleep, and musculoskeletal wellbeing throughout all stages of pregnancy — with soft tissue therapy adapted specifically for the changes your body is going through.
Why Pregnancy Massage
Your body changes significantly during pregnancy — and so does the support it needs
Pregnancy places considerable demand on the musculoskeletal system. As the body accommodates a growing baby, the centre of gravity shifts forward, the lower back takes on increased load, postural patterns change, and structures that were previously stable begin to move in new ways. For many pregnant women, back pain, pelvic discomfort, leg heaviness, and disrupted sleep become a regular part of daily life.
Remedial massage adapted for pregnancy offers a targeted approach to these changes — working with the specific structures and patterns that are contributing to discomfort at each stage of gestation, rather than applying a generalised relaxation routine.
Common Presentations
What brings pregnant clients in
Lower back pain
Increased lumbar lordosis and anterior pelvic tilt as the belly grows places sustained load on the lower back and lumbar extensors.
Pelvic girdle pain
Relaxin-related joint laxity can contribute to SI joint and pubic symphysis discomfort, often worse with walking, rolling in bed, or climbing stairs.
Swollen legs, ankles & feet
Increased fluid volume and reduced venous return — particularly in the third trimester — commonly presents as oedema in the lower limbs.
Hip & glute tightness
Altered gait and postural loading during pregnancy frequently creates tension in the hip flexors, piriformis, and gluteal complex.
Upper back & neck tension
Postural changes and breast tissue changes in early pregnancy often create tightness through the upper traps, rhomboids, and cervical region.
Sleep disruption
Physical discomfort, restless legs, and difficulty finding a comfortable position can significantly affect sleep quality, particularly in the second and third trimester.
“Pregnancy massage isn’t about relaxation alone. It’s about understanding how the body is changing week by week — and addressing the specific structures under load at each stage.”
Trimester Guide
Adapting treatment to each stage
Each trimester brings different physical changes and different considerations for soft tissue work. Sessions are adapted accordingly.
First Trimester
Discuss firstMassage is generally considered safe in the first trimester for healthy pregnancies. However, many practitioners and clients prefer to wait until the second trimester, particularly if there is any history of miscarriage or if the pregnancy is considered high-risk.
Always discuss with your midwife, obstetrician, or GP before beginning massage in the first trimester.
- Prone position avoided
- Abdominal work avoided
- Light, supportive work only
Second Trimester
Most common startThe second trimester is when most pregnant clients begin regular sessions. The belly is growing but still manageable, and many of the classic complaints — lower back tension, hip tightness, and round ligament sensitivity — are beginning to emerge.
- Side-lying with bolsters
- Lower back, hips, glutes
- Upper back and neck
- Leg and calf work
Third Trimester
High benefit periodAs load increases and birth approaches, the third trimester is often when clients notice the greatest benefit from regular soft tissue work. Oedema management, sleep quality, and lower back and pelvic discomfort are the most common focuses.
- Oedema support — lower limbs
- Continued side-lying positioning
- Sacral and gluteal release
- Preparation for labour positioning
What to Expect
What a pregnancy massage session looks like
History and assessment
Every session begins with a brief assessment — understanding where you are in your pregnancy, what you’re experiencing, and whether there are any contraindications or considerations that should shape the treatment. This is especially important if it’s your first session or if anything has changed since your last visit.
Positioning with bolsters and pillows
From the second trimester onwards, treatment is performed side-lying with appropriate bolster support. This positioning is comfortable, safe, and allows full access to the areas most commonly under load — lower back, hips, glutes, and legs. Face-down (prone) positioning on the table is not used during pregnancy.
Soft tissue work adapted to your stage
The techniques used — which may include myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and gentle deep tissue work — are selected based on your presentation and trimester. Pressure and technique are continuously adapted to your feedback and comfort throughout the session.
Post-session guidance
At the close of the session, simple self-care suggestions — such as positioning recommendations, gentle stretches, or activity modifications — may be offered to help maintain the effects of treatment between visits.
A Personal Note
From experience — before, during and after
Hill Yang — Remedial Massage Therapist
Before working professionally with pregnant clients, I had the experience of supporting my wife through her pregnancy with regular remedial massage — from early in the first trimester through to post-natal recovery. Across that period, she reported significantly reduced discomfort through what were objectively demanding physical changes to her body.
That experience gave me a perspective on pregnancy discomfort that purely clinical training cannot — understanding the daily reality of carrying and caring for a changing body, and what kinds of soft tissue support make a meaningful difference week to week. It’s informed how I approach every pregnancy client since.
Safety First
When to check with your healthcare provider
Remedial massage is generally considered safe during a healthy pregnancy. However, there are situations where you should consult your midwife, obstetrician, or GP before booking.
High-risk pregnancy
If your pregnancy has been classified as high-risk for any reason, please discuss massage with your treating obstetrician before booking.
History of miscarriage or preterm labour
If you have a history of pregnancy loss or preterm labour, please seek medical clearance before beginning massage, particularly in the first trimester.
Preeclampsia or gestational hypertension
These conditions require medical management. Please consult your GP or obstetrician before undertaking massage treatment.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk
Pregnancy increases DVT risk. If you have swelling that is sudden, severe, or one-sided — or calf pain — please seek medical assessment before any massage to the legs.
Post-Natal Recovery
Support doesn’t stop at birth
The post-natal period brings its own physical demands — recovering from birth, adjusting to feeding positions, carrying and lifting a newborn, and the sleep deprivation that accompanies those early weeks. Upper back and neck tension, shoulder loading from feeding, and lower back strain are among the most common post-natal complaints.
Post-natal massage can begin once your GP or midwife has cleared you for physical treatment — typically from around 4–6 weeks post-birth, or later following caesarean section. Sessions are adapted to your recovery stage and any specific considerations from your birth experience.
Ready to feel more
comfortable in your body?
Pregnancy massage available at our Varsity Lakes clinic, Gold Coast. Each session is adapted to your trimester and individual presentation.
This post is intended as general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Pregnancy massage may not be appropriate for all individuals. Please consult your midwife, obstetrician, or GP before beginning massage treatment, particularly if your pregnancy is high-risk or if you have any concerns. Individual responses to treatment vary and no specific outcomes can be guaranteed. For medical concerns during pregnancy, always seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.
