Prenatal Massage in West Des Moines: What It Does, What the Research Shows, and When to Start

Pregnancy is one of the most physically demanding experiences a body goes through. Your center of gravity shifts. Your joints loosen. Your back, hips, and legs carry load they’ve never carried

prenatal massage in West Des Moines

 before. And on top of all of that, the emotional weight of preparing to bring a new person into the world.

Prenatal massage is not a luxury. For a lot of pregnant women, it’s one of the most meaningful things they do for themselves — and for the pregnancy. And the research behind it is stronger than most people realize.

What Prenatal Massage Actually Does

Let’s start with the physiology. During pregnancy, several things happen simultaneously that create the conditions prenatal massage directly addresses:

  • Postural changes — as the uterus grows, the lumbar spine curves forward, the pelvis tilts, and the upper back rounds to compensate. This creates chronic muscle tension patterns that don’t resolve on their own.
  • Hormonal changes — relaxin loosens ligaments throughout the body, which can lead to joint instability and pain, particularly in the pelvis, sacroiliac joints, and pubic symphysis.
  • Circulatory changes — blood volume increases by roughly 50% during pregnancy, and the growing uterus compresses venous return from the lower extremities, contributing to swelling, leg cramps, and discomfort.
  • Stress and cortisol — pregnancy activates stress responses in many women, elevated cortisol has documented effects on fetal development, and the psychological demands of preparing for birth are significant.

Prenatal massage addresses all of these — through manual tissue work that releases chronic muscle tension, improves circulation, and triggers the body’s parasympathetic (rest and recovery) response.

What the Research Shows

Based on articles retrieved from PubMed, the evidence for prenatal massage is solid and comes from randomized controlled trials — not just anecdotal reports.

Reduced Pain, Depression, and Anxiety — and Better Neonatal Outcomes

A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Field et al., 2004) enrolled 84 depressed pregnant women and randomized them to massage therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, or standard prenatal care. The massage group received 20-minute sessions twice weekly for 16 weeks during the second and third trimesters.

The results were meaningful across multiple measures:

  • Immediately after sessions, women reported lower anxiety and depressed mood and less leg and back pain
  • By the end of the 16-week period, the massage group had higher dopamine and serotonin levels and lower cortisol and norepinephrine — the neurochemistry of reduced stress and improved mood
  • The massage group had a lower incidence of prematurity and low birthweight — a finding that extends the benefit of massage beyond the mother to the baby itself
  • Neonatal behavior assessments (Brazelton scale) were better in the massage group

Field T, Diego MA, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Massage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2004;25(2):115-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820412331282231

Partner-Administered Massage — Benefits Extend Beyond the Mother

A follow-up randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies (Field et al., 2009) enrolled 47 prenatally depressed women and randomized them to partner-administered massage twice weekly from 20 weeks gestation until delivery, versus standard care.

Self-reported leg pain, back pain, depression, anxiety, and anger decreased more for the massaged pregnant women. And in a finding that deserves attention: the partners who administered the massage also reported less depressed mood, anxiety, and anger — and relationship quality scores improved for both partners in the massage group.

Prenatal massage, in this study, was good for the whole family — not just the pregnant woman.

Field T, et al. Massage therapy reduces pain in pregnant women, alleviates prenatal depression in both parents and improves their relationships. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2009;13(2):146-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.06.003

The research summary: prenatal massage reduces back pain, leg pain, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy. It improves neurochemistry — more serotonin and dopamine, less cortisol. And in at least one well-designed RCT, it was associated with better birth outcomes including lower rates of prematurity and low birthweight.

What Prenatal Massage Addresses at Ashworth

The conditions that bring pregnant women to see Naomi and Shannon at Ashworth vary, but the most common are:

  • Low back pain and sacroiliac joint pain — extremely common in the second and third trimester as the pelvis shifts and relaxin loosens the sacroiliac ligaments
  • Hip pain and sciatica-like leg symptoms — the growing uterus can compress the sciatic nerve, and piriformis tension is a frequent contributor
  • Round ligament pain — sharp, shooting pain in the lower abdomen or groin that comes with sudden movement
  • Upper back and neck tension — from postural changes, breast growth, and the anticipatory rounding that many women develop
  • Leg cramps, swelling, and heaviness — from compromised venous return in the lower extremities
  • Sleep disruption — often driven by discomfort and the inability to find a comfortable position
  • Anxiety and stress — the emotional and psychological weight of pregnancy that builds across the trimesters

Is Prenatal Massage Safe?

Yes — when performed by a trained therapist who understands pregnancy anatomy and appropriate modifications. There are specific considerations that distinguish prenatal massage from standard massage:

  • Positioning — lying flat on the back is not recommended after the first trimester due to compression of the inferior vena cava. Side-lying positioning with appropriate bolstering is the standard for prenatal work.
  • Pressure — deep pressure over certain areas, particularly the lower legs where deep vein thrombosis risk is elevated during pregnancy, requires caution and modification.
  • Specific points — certain acupressure points are traditionally avoided in pregnancy due to their association with uterine stimulation. Our therapists are trained in these precautions.
  • First trimester — many practitioners are more conservative with deep work in the first trimester during the highest-risk period for pregnancy loss, though there is no evidence that standard massage causes miscarriage.

Our massage therapists are trained in prenatal massage positioning and technique. Every session is adapted to your specific stage of pregnancy, your presentation, and your comfort.

Consult your OB or midwife before beginning prenatal massage if you have a high-risk pregnancy, placenta previa, preeclampsia, or a history of pre-term labor. Most women with uncomplicated pregnancies can begin at any point in the second trimester.

When to Come In and How Often

There’s no single right answer — it depends on what you’re dealing with and what your body needs. A few general guidelines:

  • Second trimester — a great time to begin if you haven’t already. The major risks of early pregnancy have passed and the postural and musculoskeletal changes are becoming significant.
  • Third trimester — when most women experience the most discomfort. Monthly sessions at minimum, bi-weekly if budget allows, weekly in the final month for women dealing with significant discomfort or sleep disruption.
  • Throughout pregnancy — some women choose to come in monthly from the second trimester onward as a proactive approach to managing the physical demands of pregnancy. There is no evidence that regular prenatal massage is harmful.

Prenatal massage at Ashworth is coordinated with our other services when appropriate. If you’re also seeing Kelly Brown Gross, PT for pelvic floor work or experiencing pregnancy-related back pain that may benefit from chiropractic evaluation, our team communicates and your care is coordinated — not siloed.

What to Expect at Your Session

Your first prenatal massage session begins with a conversation about your pregnancy history, your current symptoms, any concerns your OB or midwife has raised, and what you’re hoping to get out of the session. Our massage therapists take time to understand your situation before hands ever go on.

You will be positioned comfortably in side-lying position with bolsters supporting your belly, knees, and back. Pressure is adjusted throughout based on your feedback and your therapist’s assessment. Sessions are typically 60 minutes.

You don’t need a referral. You can book directly.

Our Massage Therapists

Shannon Barnes, LMT has over 20 years of personalized massage therapy experience and brings a deeply individualized approach to every session — particularly with prenatal clients, where no two presentations are alike.

Naomi Hooper, LMT brings specialized training in TMJ dysfunction alongside her deep tissue massage expertise. Her work integrates the precision of targeted tissue release with a thorough understanding of how the whole body is connected.

Clinical References

The following peer-reviewed studies were retrieved from PubMed and cited in this article.

  1. Field T, Diego MA, Hernandez-Reif M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. Massage therapy effects on depressed pregnant women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol. 2004;25(2):115-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01674820412331282231
  2. Field T, Figueiredo B, Hernandez-Reif M, Diego M, Deeds O, Ascencio A. Massage therapy reduces pain in pregnant women, alleviates prenatal depression in both parents and improves their relationships. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2009;13(2):146-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.06.003