Prenatal Massage in Palo Alto
A gentle, supportive massage experience designed around the changing comfort needs of pregnancy. Side-lying positioning, soft support cushions, and customized pressure help create a calm, unhurried session for the back, hips, legs, shoulders, and feet.
A Massage That Adapts to You
Pregnancy can change how your back, hips, legs, shoulders, and feet feel from week to week. Your session begins with a brief comfort check so your therapist can adjust your position, pressure, and areas of focus.
The goal is not deep or aggressive pressure. It is a calm, supportive massage that helps everyday muscle tension feel easier while keeping your comfort at the center of the experience.
What to Tell Us Before Your Session
What Your Session Includes
Every prenatal massage is customized rather than delivered as a fixed routine. The therapist checks in throughout the appointment and adjusts as your comfort changes.
Supportive Positioning
Side-lying positioning and cushions help support the knees, hips, abdomen, and upper body.
Customized Pressure
Light-to-medium pressure is adjusted throughout the massage based on your comfort and preference.
Focused Attention
Your therapist can spend more time on the back, hips, legs, feet, neck, or shoulders as appropriate.
What We Avoid During Prenatal Massage
Prenatal Massage Is About Comfort, Not Intensity
Prenatal massage at Avy Spa is designed as a wellness and relaxation service. It is not intended to diagnose or treat a medical condition.
Tell your therapist immediately if any area feels uncomfortable. Pressure, position, and focus can be changed at any time. You remain fully in control of the session.
When to Ask Your Healthcare Provider First
Prenatal massage may not be appropriate for every pregnancy or every day. Contact your prenatal healthcare provider before massage if you have a high-risk pregnancy, complications, new symptoms, or have been advised to limit physical activity.
Please Speak With Your Provider If You Have
- A high-risk pregnancy or pregnancy complications
- Unexplained pain, bleeding, dizziness, or shortness of breath
- New or sudden swelling
- One-sided, painful, red, or warm swelling
- A recent medical procedure or activity restriction
Massage Should Be Postponed When
- You feel acutely unwell
- You have a fever or contagious illness
- You have sudden or concerning symptoms
- Your healthcare provider has advised against massage
- You are uncertain whether massage is appropriate that day
Choose the Time That Feels Right
Longer sessions allow more time for careful positioning and attention to multiple areas without making the experience feel rushed.
When Can You Have a Prenatal Massage?
Massage can be appropriate during a healthy pregnancy when it is adapted for pregnancy, performed with supportive positioning, and approved by your healthcare provider when needed. Avy Spa generally recommends prenatal massage after the first trimester.
First Trimester
Many spas postpone prenatal massage during the first trimester as a cautious business policy. Please contact us before booking and speak with your prenatal healthcare provider if you have symptoms, prior pregnancy complications, or any uncertainty.
Second Trimester
This is a common time to begin prenatal massage. Side-lying support and customized, gentle-to-medium pressure can be used for the back, hips, shoulders, legs, and feet.
Third Trimester
Prenatal massage may continue during a healthy third trimester. More cushions, position changes, and shorter periods in one position may be used for comfort. Please tell us your due date when booking.
When Prenatal Massage Should Be Postponed
Do not begin the massage and contact your healthcare provider when you have new, unexplained, or concerning pregnancy symptoms. Emergency symptoms require urgent medical care.
Ask Your Healthcare Provider Before Booking
- A high-risk pregnancy or history of pregnancy complications
- Preeclampsia, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, or significant swelling
- Placenta-related concerns, threatened preterm labor, or activity restrictions
- Gestational diabetes that is not well controlled
- Blood-clot history, current anticoagulant use, or suspected deep-vein thrombosis
- Recent surgery, injury, hospitalization, or medical procedure
Postpone Massage and Seek Medical Advice for
- Vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular contractions, or reduced fetal movement
- Sudden severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, or shortness of breath
- New, sudden, one-sided, painful, red, or warm leg swelling
- Fever, contagious illness, vomiting, dizziness, or feeling acutely unwell
- Unexplained abdominal pain or any symptom that feels urgent or unusual
What Expecting Guests Appreciate
Guests often mention the supportive side-lying setup, unhurried pacing, and the ability to customize pressure around changing pregnancy comfort needs.
“The 90-minute session gave enough time for my back, hips, legs, and feet without feeling rushed.”Prenatal massage guest feedback
“The side-lying cushions felt supportive, and the therapist adjusted the pressure whenever I needed.”Common guest feedback
“The room was calm and clean, and the whole appointment felt gentle, private, and comfortable.”Common guest feedback
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Prenatal Massage FAQs
How will I be positioned during prenatal massage?
Avy Spa generally uses supportive side-lying positioning with cushions around the knees, hips, abdomen, and upper body. Positioning is adjusted to your comfort.
What pressure is used during prenatal massage?
Prenatal massage generally uses light-to-medium pressure. Your therapist adjusts pressure throughout the session and avoids any area that does not feel comfortable.
Do I need approval from my prenatal healthcare provider?
Ask your prenatal healthcare provider when a pregnancy is high-risk, there are complications or new symptoms, or you have been advised to limit massage or physical activity.
Can I book prenatal massage if I have swelling?
Mild, familiar swelling should still be mentioned before the session. New, sudden, painful, one-sided, red, warm, or otherwise concerning swelling should be evaluated by a healthcare professional before massage.
Are hot stones, cupping, or Back Walking included?
Prenatal massage prioritizes gentle comfort. Strong heat, intense pressure, cupping, Back Walking, and vigorous enhancements are not included and may not be appropriate during pregnancy.
Can prenatal massage be booked as a couples massage?
It may be possible when therapist availability and room scheduling allow. Mention pregnancy when booking so the correct therapist and positioning can be prepared.
How many weeks pregnant should I be before booking?
Avy Spa generally recommends prenatal massage after the first trimester, beginning around week 13. During the first trimester, please contact us first and ask your prenatal healthcare provider when you have symptoms, a high-risk pregnancy, or any uncertainty.
Who should not receive prenatal massage?
Massage should be postponed when there is vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular contractions, fever, acute illness, unexplained abdominal pain, sudden severe headache, vision changes, shortness of breath, or new one-sided painful leg swelling. Guests with a high-risk pregnancy, preeclampsia, placenta concerns, blood-clot history, or activity restrictions should obtain guidance from their prenatal healthcare provider before booking.
Where is Avy Spa located?
Avy Spa is located at 3783 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, California 94306. Free parking is available behind the building. Please walk around to the El Camino Real front entrance.
Book Prenatal Massage at Avy Spa
Tell us how many weeks pregnant you are when booking so we can prepare the room, cushions, and therapist assignment for your comfort.