1 It'll help you and your baby bond

Forging that all-important bond starts in the womb, so getting a gentle pamper can really help improve the connection between you and your baby. Around week 13, babies start to respond to touch, so it's the perfect time for your first session. You can remind them of it when they're old enough to understand why Mummy really needed a massage.

2 It reduces stress – for you both

You might be feeling cool, calm and collected. On the other hand, you might be feeling just a teeny bit apprehensive about what's around the corner. Just as massage helps relax your muscles, it can ease the mind too – that's yours and your unborn baby's. When you’re relaxed, they sense it, and unwind with you. And keeping your little foetus de-stressed can help them stay healthy while in the womb.

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3 It has post-birth benefits too

Feel free to keep practising until you’re sure that massage helps you relax, but while you're at it, know that it can help your baby both pre- and post-birth. Getting a regular massage can help you keep calm(ish) in advance of baby's big arrival. And when they've made their way into the world, if you're feeling cool as a cucumber (we're speaking relatively) your baby will reap the benefits. That's because those little bundles of joy sense their mothers' emotions. Smart.

With Treatwell, you can book beauty online at all your favourite salons – simple, hassle-free, and you can do it on the go. Discover p regnancy massages in your area.

Why you need to get a pregnancy massage… for your baby

14/10/2018 / Editor's picks

There’s nothing like a pregnancy massage when it comes to guilt-free indulgence that’s good for you. In fact, it feels so good, you’d put it forward as the sixth addition to a mum-to-be’s five-a-day (some massages do involve orangey oils). But even better, a refreshing rubdown is in your baby’s best interests, too. Pheeew.

Image credits: Shutterstock, @juliasart.fotografie, @the_hoste_beauty_spa

Editor's picks

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4 ways hot massage sends our troubles flying 14/05/2018

Hot massage takes all the mindblowingly relaxing effects of regular massage and turns them up a notch. There are a number of a hot massage varieties – most usually involve soothing oils – some involve hot stones – and they're all amazing.

Don't try this at home

Pre and post-natal treatments 29/02/2016

Hurrah, you’re pregnant! Once the elation and well-wishing has died down it’s time to face your (rapidly) changing body. As well as dealing with your expanding bump, swollen ankles, an aching back and sore, stretched ligaments (ouch) are just some of the ailments you may experience during the course of your pregnancy. The tricky part of course, is that unlike the aches and pains you might find yourself nursing after a rigorous workout, you’ll need to take a different approach when it comes to soothing your baby body. ‘Pregnancy massage is great for enhancing the whole experience for the mother-to-be.…