Pregnant ladies need massages too!

This is my third go-round at being pregnant, and I have only found ONE spa (Preston Wynne in Saratoga) that gives a decent pregnancy massage.  ONE!   The Silicon Valley is bursting at the seams with pregnant women.  And there are more spas here than I can count.   However, most don't offer prenatal massages.  And those that do, seem to do it as an after thought.

Anyone want to make some money?  This is an investment that will absolutely pay off.   Every mom-to-be that I know wants to feel pampered, comfortable and not pregnant for at least one hour of their long 9 month journey.  And they will pay GOOD money for that experience.  Why not give us what we want?

I don't even have a lot of fancy criteria or high expectations.   I don't need the fancy robe, the flavored waters and teas, or even a bowl of fruit laid out for me. I don't need the foot soak or the spiced hot pillow around my neck while I wait for my massage to start.  Don't get me wrong, all those things are wonderful.   And believe me, I love the perks just as much as the next person, and would happily enjoy them.   However, all I really want is a bed to lay on that makes me feel like I am not pregnant beached whale ... and a masseuse that understands what it is like to be pregnant.   In the end, that is what I am paying for.   

Out of the limited number of spas that provide a motherhood massage, most do not offer a bed that has any custom features for the pregnant woman.   They don't offer a body pillow that allows you to lay on your stomach..... and ohhh, what I wouldn't pay to lay on my stomach face down.  Instead they have you lay on your side, and prop you up with pillows.  If I wanted to have a massage on my side, I would stay home and lay in my own bed and tell my husband to do it for free!   And propped up with pillows!   Seriously?   Why would I pay top dollar for that?  I can't even get comfortable at night laying like that. Besides, when they start massaging you... you just end up rocking from side to side because you are laying sideways!

And what about the lack of experience of the prenatal masseuse?  Many times I have set out to have a massage, only to get in the room to see a young inexperienced technician who has no concept of the fact that I can't breathe if I lay on my back... because my stomach is CRUSHING me.  Many times I am tilted at an angle that practically makes me pass out.  And even worse, some are afraid to massage me at all so end up giving me a back rub that compares to one that I would get from my 3-year old.     I would skip all the fancy perks, just to get someone who knows how to prop my knees correctly, give me lower back support, position me on a bed where I can lay down, and isn't afraid to apply pressure to work out the pain I have in my back.    I crave someone who can tell me how to stand better or position myself better to help my body support itself.  I want someone who knows that rolling me over too quickly might make me dizzy because it's hard to breath and change positions.    Mostly I want someone who really specialized in this area, and didn't just take one class so they could offer it on their resume to make a little extra cash.    

So with that said, anyone else out there got some good recommendations?   Speak up ladies... there are mothers in need!

An original post to Silicon Valley Moms Blog.