Maternity Care

Pregnancy Massage in Central London

Specialist prenatal massage from therapists who understand your changing body. Safe, nurturing treatment throughout all stages of pregnancy to ease discomfort and prepare you for birth.

Book Pregnancy Massage Call: 020 7739 5666

Safe from 14 Weeks • Specialist Maternity Therapists • Old Street, Shoreditch

Why Pregnancy Massage?

Your body's doing something incredible

Growing a human being is extraordinary. It’s also bloody hard work. Your body’s changing in ways you couldn’t have imagined – some wonderful, some decidedly less so. Lower back aching? Hips feeling like they might give out? Can’t remember the last time your feet didn’t hurt?

Pregnancy massage isn’t a luxury or an indulgence (though it certainly feels like one). It’s a practical, effective way to manage the physical challenges of pregnancy. Think of it as essential maintenance for a body that’s working overtime.

Our therapists specialise in prenatal care. They understand the biomechanics of pregnancy, know which techniques are safe at which stages, and – importantly – they’ve worked with hundreds of pregnant women. They know what you’re going through because they’ve heard it all before.

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Benefits of Prenatal Massage

More than just relaxation

Whilst the hour of peace and quiet is lovely, pregnancy massage offers genuine therapeutic benefits backed by research.

Back & Hip Pain Relief

Your centre of gravity’s shifting, your posture’s changing, and everything aches. Targeted massage work can significantly reduce back and hip pain.

Reduced Swelling

Massage helps improve circulation and lymphatic drainage, which can reduce swelling in hands, feet, and ankles – especially useful in later pregnancy.

Better Sleep

Can’t get comfortable at night? Massage helps relax tense muscles and can improve sleep quality – something you’ll need before the baby arrives.

Understanding Pregnancy Massage

What to Expect

Pregnancy massage looks different to standard massage in a few important ways. The biggest difference? You won’t be lying flat on your back or stomach (for obvious reasons). Instead, we use specially designed pregnancy cushions that allow you to lie face-down comfortably – yes, really! – or we position you on your side with plenty of pillows for support.

The techniques we use are adapted for pregnancy. We avoid certain pressure points, particularly around ankles and wrists, which in traditional Chinese medicine are thought to stimulate contractions. Whether you believe in pressure points or not, better safe than sorry. The pressure is generally gentler than sports massage – we’re not trying to dig into knots, we’re encouraging your body to relax.

We focus on the areas that need it most: lower back (which is taking a hammering as your posture changes), hips (preparing for birth), shoulders and neck (often tense from stress and poor sleep), and legs (dealing with extra weight and often swelling).

Each session is tailored to where you are in your pregnancy. What works at 20 weeks might not be appropriate at 36 weeks, and our therapists adjust accordingly.

Meet Emma.

She was convinced she’d need a caesarean. She had a straightforward natural birth.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Labour with minimal pain relief

MOBILITY IMPROVEMENT

From waddle to confident walk

How it started

Emma came to see us at around 24 weeks. Her pelvis was already causing her grief – that distinctive pregnancy waddle had started early, and she was genuinely worried about how she’d cope with another three months, never mind labour itself. Her midwife had mentioned something about SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction), but hadn’t offered much in the way of solutions beyond “try a support belt.”

She’d been a keen gym-goer before pregnancy and was frustrated at how limited her movement had become. Even walking to the tube was uncomfortable. She’d started planning for a caesarean because she couldn’t imagine her pelvis coping with labour.

How it’s going

We saw Emma weekly from that first appointment through to week 37. The combination of pregnancy massage, some gentle osteopathic adjustments, and specific exercises made an enormous difference. By week 30, she was walking normally again. By week 35, she was cautiously optimistic about a vaginal birth.

She went into labour naturally at 39 weeks and gave birth after 8 hours with just gas and air. Her pelvis – which had felt like it might fall apart a few months earlier – held up beautifully. She sent us a photo of her baby girl with a message: “I literally couldn’t have done this without you lot. Thank you for giving me my body back.”

Is pregnancy massage safe?

Short answer: yes, absolutely – when performed by someone who knows what they’re doing. That last bit is crucial. This isn’t the time to chance your arm with someone who’s just done a weekend course.

Our therapists have specific training in prenatal massage. They understand which techniques are safe, which pressure points to avoid, and how to position you comfortably throughout your pregnancy. They know when to refer you to your midwife or GP if something doesn’t seem right.

We don’t treat before 14 weeks – not because massage would cause any problems, but because first trimester is when most miscarriages happen anyway, and we’d rather not be in the picture during that vulnerable time. From 14 weeks onwards, assuming you’ve got a straightforward, low-risk pregnancy, massage is perfectly safe.

If you’ve got any complications – placenta praevia, pre-eclampsia, risk of premature labour – we’ll need clearance from your midwife or consultant before treating you. But for most women, pregnancy massage is one of the safest, most effective things you can do for your body.

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Pregnancy Massage Central London Osteopathy & Sports Injury Clinic

Common Pregnancy Issues

What we can help with

Here are the things that bring most pregnant women through our door – and the things we’re really rather good at helping with.

Lower Back Pain

That constant ache? Your posture’s changing as your bump grows, putting strain on muscles that aren’t used to it. We can help.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (SPD)

When your pelvis feels like it might split in two. Massage combined with gentle mobilisation can make a huge difference.

Swollen Ankles & Feet

Fluid retention is common in pregnancy. Massage encourages drainage and can significantly reduce swelling.

Neck & Shoulder Tension

Your breasts are heavier, your posture’s changing, and stress doesn’t help. We get rid of those knots.

Sleep Problems

Can’t get comfortable at night? Massage helps relax tense muscles and improves sleep quality considerably.

Stress & Anxiety

Pregnancy’s stressful. An hour of proper relaxation, feeling looked after, can work wonders for your mental health.

Treatment Through Pregnancy

Different trimesters, different needs

Second trimester (14-27 weeks) is often the sweet spot for starting treatment. Morning sickness has usually settled, you’re not too big yet, but your body’s definitely changing. We focus on maintaining good posture and addressing early niggles before they become proper problems.

Third trimester (28-40 weeks) is when things get more challenging physically. Your centre of gravity’s shifted, your pelvis is loosening up (thanks, relaxin), and everything aches. Treatment becomes more about managing discomfort and keeping you mobile. Many women come weekly from around 32 weeks.

Labour preparation – from about 37 weeks, we can use specific techniques that may help prepare your body for birth. Whilst we can’t claim to bring on labour (that’s down to baby), we can help ensure your pelvis is moving well and your muscles are as relaxed as possible.

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Meet Your Therapist

Expert Pregnancy Massage

Specialist Pregnancy Therapist

Rachel Thompson

BTEC Level 5 Pregnancy Massage | Registered Midwife (Ret.) | Mother of Three

Rachel brings a unique perspective to pregnancy massage – she’s not only a specialist massage therapist but also a retired midwife with 15 years’ NHS experience. She’s seen hundreds of births, supported countless women through pregnancy, and knows exactly what your body’s going through at each stage.

After three pregnancies of her own (each progressively more uncomfortable, as she’ll freely admit), Rachel retrained in pregnancy massage because she’d seen first-hand how much difference it could make to women’s experiences. She wished she’d had access to this kind of care during her own pregnancies – particularly the third one, when her SPD was so severe she could barely walk.

What women love about Rachel is that she just gets it. She knows what you’re experiencing because she’s lived it herself – the exhaustion, the discomfort, the hormonal chaos, the anxiety about labour. She’s got the clinical knowledge from her midwifery background, but she talks to you like a friend who happens to know a lot about pregnancy.

Rachel has additional training in postnatal recovery massage and infant massage (which she teaches to new parents). She stays in touch with many of her clients after they give birth – her WhatsApp is full of baby photos and grateful messages from exhausted new mums.

“I absolutely adore working with pregnant women. It’s such a privilege to be part of their journey and to help make what can be a really challenging time physically that bit more bearable. Plus, the baby photos I get sent are the best perk of the job!”

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Client Testimonials

From Our Pregnant Clients

Third Trimester Relief

“I was in absolute agony with SPD from about 28 weeks. My GP basically said ‘it’s just part of pregnancy, you’ll have to put up with it.’ Rachel took one look at me and said ‘no you don’t.’ After three sessions I could walk to the shops without crying. I saw her weekly until I gave birth and honestly don’t know how I’d have coped without her.”

— Sophie, First-time Mum

Self-Care During Pregnancy

“Pregnancy massage was the one hour a week where I wasn’t someone’s employee, someone’s partner, or an incubator for a baby – I was just me, being looked after. It kept me sane through a really difficult pregnancy. Rachel’s brilliant – I actually looked forward to my appointments, which is saying something when you’re 8 months pregnant in a London summer!”

— Amara, Second Baby

Labour Preparation

“I had weekly sessions from 32 weeks to help prepare for labour. Can’t prove it scientifically, but I’m convinced it helped – I had a really straightforward birth, much easier than my friends who’d had similar-sized babies. Rachel gave me stretches to do at home too which really helped keep me mobile right up to the end.”

— Jessica, Active Birth

Common Questions

Pregnancy Massage FAQs

When can I start having pregnancy massage?

We treat from 14 weeks onwards. Not because massage would cause any problems earlier – there’s no evidence it would – but because first trimester is when most miscarriages happen anyway, and we’d rather not be part of that picture. From 14 weeks through to when you give birth, you’re welcome to book in. Some women start in second trimester and continue weekly; others only come when discomfort starts in the third trimester. There’s no right or wrong approach – it depends what you need.

Can massage bring on labour?

We wish we had that kind of power, but sadly no. What massage can do from about 37 weeks onwards is help prepare your body for labour by ensuring your pelvis is moving well and your muscles are relaxed. Some therapists use specific pressure points that in traditional Chinese medicine are thought to encourage labour, though the scientific evidence is mixed. If you’re past your due date and desperate to avoid induction, it’s worth a try – it certainly won’t do any harm. But if baby’s not ready, baby’s not ready, regardless of how many pressure points we press.

Will I have to lie on my back?

No! Lying flat on your back after about 20 weeks isn’t comfortable and can reduce blood flow to the baby. We use special pregnancy cushions that have a hole for your bump, allowing you to lie face-down comfortably – honestly, it’s magic. Alternatively, we can position you on your side with lots of pillows for support. We’ll find whatever position works best for you at your stage of pregnancy.

How often should I come?

This really depends on how you’re feeling and what you can afford. If you’re in significant discomfort – particularly with SPD or severe back pain – weekly sessions can make an enormous difference. If you’re relatively comfortable and just want some maintenance care, fortnightly or monthly might be enough. Many women increase frequency in the final few weeks when everything gets more uncomfortable. We’ll discuss a treatment plan with you, but ultimately it’s your call.

Is it safe if I'm having twins?

Generally yes, though twin pregnancies are considered higher risk so we’d want to check with your consultant first. If you’ve got any complications – reduced foetal movement, bleeding, premature labour risk, or anything else concerning – we’ll need medical clearance before treating you. But for straightforward twin pregnancies, massage can be particularly helpful given the extra strain on your body.

What should I wear?

Whatever you’re comfortable in. Most women strip down to underwear (we provide towels to cover areas we’re not working on), but you can keep on whatever you like. Some prefer to stay in loose trousers or shorts. We need access to your back, shoulders, and legs, but beyond that, it’s entirely your choice. Just avoid wearing anything too restrictive or that you’ll feel stressed about getting oil on.

Can I have massage if I'm high risk?

Possibly, but we’d need clearance from your consultant or midwife first. If you’ve got placenta praevia, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or anything else that makes your pregnancy high-risk, we need to know before treating you. Bring a letter from your medical team confirming they’re happy for you to have massage, and we’ll adapt the treatment accordingly. Safety first, always.

Central London Pregnancy Massage

Our clinic in Old Street, Shoreditch is easily accessible from across London – important when you’re heavily pregnant and don’t fancy a long commute. We’re well connected by tube, Overground, and bus from the City, Islington, Angel, Canary Wharf, and everywhere else in North, East, South, and West London.

Nearest stations: Old Street (Northern Line), Shoreditch High Street (Overground), Moorgate, Liverpool Street

We’ve got flexible appointment times including evenings and weekends, and there’s step-free access to our ground floor treatment rooms. We also have a loo you won’t need to queue for – which when you’re pregnant is worth its weight in gold.

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF