All and any deep massage or swedish massage techniques are inappropriate because of the possibility of blood clots within the blood vessels of the leg becoming dislodged. But it is appropriate and important that the lymph system, including in the legs, be assisted in its function of moving the fluid and wastes throughout the body properly for good health and a healthy pregnancy. Properly applied light lymph drainage technique performed on a pregnant woman’s legs is the effective and safe technique to help relieve some of the increased lower extremity fluid retention. Keeping fluids moving throughout the legs is very important for a healthy pregnancy.
During pregnancy there can be a significant amount of fluid retention in the lower extremities and for most women, this amount increases as the pregnancy progresses. With this increase in fluid comes generalized feelings of tightness, fullness, stiffness and a decrease of mobility and movement within the joints. This most often produces general increases in body temperature that is normal during pregnancy due to the many changes in the hormones and heart, along with increases in blood volume, clotting factor and inner tissue fluid as a woman’s body prepares for childbirth.
However, if there are localized areas of heat, redness or swelling, severe pain in the legs or any signs of pitting edema then a woman should call her doctor or health care provider who is monitoring her pregnancy immediately. This could indicate possible thrombosis or other serious conditions that may require medical intervention.
Manual lymph drainage technique applied lightly will assist the movement of fluids within the legs without the risk of dislodging any blood clots within the veins. This is also the appropriate technique to be applied postpartum as well, for up to a minimum of three months because it takes time for a woman’s system to return to the pre-pregnancy levels of balance. Before any massage is applied during pregnancy the therapist should perform a check for pitting edema of the legs and any indications for possible contraindications for massage.
When it is determined that pitting edema is not present, then it is safe to work with the lymph drainage technique lightly on the legs so that relief of pressure and needed movement of fluid in the lower extremities can be achieved. It is important that a pregnant woman stay properly hydrated and maintain proper exercise, body positions and movement during pregnancy to support good circulation and fluid movement. Massage plays an important role during pregnancy by helping to reduce the risk of complications from fluid stagnation or blood clotting. A massage therapist that properly applies techniques to a pregnant woman’s legs will help maintain the important and necessary movement of fluids & circulation and relieve some of the uncomfortable feelings due to the normal changes that occur during pregnancy.
