LA Institute of Massage Therapy

Pregnancy Massage - A Home Study Course

Overview – A pregnant woman’s body progresses through tremendous changes during the childbirth experience – pregnancy, birth, and post-partum. Many of these changes are physically taxing and uncomfortable. Her uterus expands to 20 times its pervious size; breasts more than double their size; her pelvis widens and the ligaments slack; blood volume increases 50 percent; her breathing rate increases so that about 20 percent more oxygen is taken in.

As her body grows, the expectant mother often yearns for pampering and self nurturing. The stress that often accompanies this period can complicate the pregnancy as well as the delivery. Much of this stress can be relieved with massage. And massage is a way to reduce many of the discomforts associated with pregnancy.

This course presents the process of normal pregnancy, the benefits of pregnancy massage, a detailed discussion of the common discomforts of pregnancy, a review of the intake process for non-pregnant clients with additional information for the pregnant client, how to determine if a pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy, treatment guidelines, positioning, and modality restrictions for healthy woman with normally progressing pregnancies. This course is not intended to instruct therapists on how to apply massage techniques on pregnancy clients who have pregnancy-related complications or who are considered high-risk. A brief discussion of massage during labor as well as post-partum massage is also presented.

In this course, you will –

Discuss changes in both the mother and baby during each of the three trimesters
Outline aspects of pregnancy that may cause the expectant mother physical discomfort
Differentiate between a normal pregnancy and one that is high risk.
Learn the value of treatment planning and reasons for collecting and documenting client information
Conduct a client interview as to properly screen pregnant clients for precautions and contraindications
Using the data collected, formulate a plan of care that address the special needs of pregnant women
Provide a massage that is safe for all expectant mothers who have a normal, healthy pregnancy
Support the pregnant client using modified supine and semireclining positions
Be able to offer massage suggestions for the father to help his pregnant wife during her pregnancy and the birth of their child

Course materials include –

Textbook – Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice 3e by Susan Salvo, Philadelphia, 2007, WB Saunders.

Workbook – Includes instructions for completing your Home Study Course, an answer sheet, and an open-book Final Examination composed of 20 multiple choice questions.

Cost –

$160.00 plus $10.00 shipping and handling (total of $170).

For more information –

Or mail a check or money order made out to LIMT at the following address:

Louisiana Institute of Massage Therapy
Attn: CEU Director
1108 Lafitte Street
Lake Charles LA, 70601

Please include your name, phone, address, and massage license number.

LA State Board of Massage Therapy CEU Provider # LAP0002

Alternative content