To ease neck tension, massage the back of the big toe. Massage the base of your palm to alleviate anxiety. To release stress throughout your body, try rubbing your entire foot and kneading heels and toes with the knuckles. And curb nausea by rubbing your forearm about two inches below the wrist. Simply walk the mat's flexible nubs to refresh crampy feet without having to bend over.
Some pregnant women find sitting to be the most comfortable massage position.
When choosing a massage therapist, it's essential to find one trained in prenatal massage, says Regina Viotto, spa director of Paul Labrecque in New York City. They will have a certificate to verify it. When rubbing your belly, the therapist should never use rough or hard motions. And during your first trimester, when you're most likely to feel nausea, ask the therapist to use unscented massage oils. With reflexology, the therapist should not use deep pressure near the ankles, which correspond to the uterus and ovaries and may bring on contractions, Stillerman says.