Prenatal Massage?!

neworleansdoula · 01-31-2006, 03:08 PM

I was wondering if any of you are certified in prenatal massage and offer it as an addition to your doula service. If you do, do you find this to be one of the main reasons you are hired as a doula?

I was thinking about becoming certified in prenatal massage and wanted to know if it would REALLY make a difference for my clients. I know the obvious answer probably screams yes, but there are so many other things besides massage that we do with laboring moms to support them. All this thinking has left me undecisive so I'd like to hear from my fellow doula pals!

nocomparta · 01-31-2006, 03:32 PM

I took an advanced comfort measures class in October, it basically focused on prenatal massage and massage during labor. It was a great class and I really learned a lot. I would like to get more massage training, it seems that my clients enjoy massage more in late pregnancy and early labor more than in active labor. Hope that helps some.

tlcdoula · 01-31-2006, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neworleansdoula

I was wondering if any of you are certified in prenatal massage and offer it as an addition to your doula service. If you do, do you find this to be one of the main reasons you are hired as a doula?

I was thinking about becoming certified in prenatal massage and wanted to know if it would REALLY make a difference for my clients. I know the obvious answer probably screams yes, but there are so many other things besides massage that we do with laboring moms to support them. All this thinking has left me undecisive so I'd like to hear from my fellow doula pals!

In my state in order to give a massage (and I don't mean as a doula helping a laboring mom - I mean as someone who only gives massages) you need to be licensed as a massage therapist, and collecting money to give a massage without the proper license is illegal. I would check out your state laws so that you wouldn't get into trouble over it. I know many states have laws concerning giving massages and collecting money for it without a license.

I am actually going to be starting school to become a massage therapist in March because I want to work with pregnant mamas - giving massages

neworleansdoula · 01-31-2006, 05:03 PM

Thanks for the replies! Michelle, I have a friend who has been a l/d nurse for 26 years and she's going to massage school too. She wants to retire from labor and delivery and open her own business doing just prenatal massages.

I heard that it's great money!

~Tranquility~Doula · 01-31-2006, 05:24 PM

Ditto what Michelle said about state laws regarding massage therapy...
I'm currently in school for massage therapy as well. I'm also looking to primarily work with pregnant women.