Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68009
GOT BABY? THIRD TRIMESTER CONSIDERATIONS This may seem silly, unless you are seven months pregnant, but the most common question I hear about the third trimester is, "What if my belly hits the client during the massage?" Your belly probably will hit your clients at some point during your pregnancy and there really isn't any way around it. Your clients probably won't notice or worry any more than they do if your arm brushes against them during a regular session. However, if you feel self-conscious about it or the client giggles, just apologize. "Whoops, sorry about that," is enough for most foot massage treatments, so you can do more of the work sitting down. WHEN SHOULD I START MY LEAVE? There are several right answers. I handled each pregnancy differently according to what was needed at the time. With one baby, I worked as a full-time massage therapist with a chiropractor and had several clients in the middle of treatment plans. I worked full-time until the day before my labor started, and I started back with short, 30-minute sessions only two weeks postpartum. With my most recent pregnancy, I had some back pain during the last Send out a mailing to your clients with a birth announcement and include the dates of when you plan to start back. I usually call all my regular clients to let them know when I'm available, since sometimes they don't want to "be an inconvenience" too soon. A check-in phone call will let them know you are back in business and help you get back into a routine. Each pregnancy is unique, so listen to your body and do what you are able. Remember that your clients deserve your full attention and effort. Shift your schedule as needed to make time for self-care and stay in close communication with your clients. Enjoy these busy months of drastic change, because they will not last long. Learning to juggle your pregnancy and your business will be just the first of many decisions you'll face as a new parent. therapist for more than seven years, in addition to being a mother of three, freelance writer, childbirth educator, and doula. Visit her website at http://angengland.com. Angela England has been a massage clients. If it's near the beginning of the massage, and the client is still more alert, you can even make a simple joke: "I guess the baby wants to help." Standing to the side of the table and using the small aerobics step, when needed, will decrease the likelihood of a belly-bump happening. Turning so that you are facing toward the head or the foot of the table, instead of facing directly toward the table, will also help. Ultimately though, it really isn't a big deal, and if you've put your client to sleep with your relaxing bodywork, he or she may not even notice. If you are worried about too much swelling in your feet and legs during the last couple weeks, consider changing your massage sessions and doing more from a seated position. Lower your table and work the head, neck, and shoulders from a stool or exercise ball chair. Or run a special on facial massages, or month, which made doing massage therapy more difficult, so I left for my maternity leave a week before the baby arrived and took a full month off for maternity leave. I made arrangements with another massage therapist to take over my regular clients while I was on leave. I also made a point of keeping my phone close at hand, so I was still able to talk with my clients and refer them out as needed. HOW DO I START BACK AFTER MY BABY IS BORN? Working after the birth of a baby can be a complicated and overwhelming prospect. The key is pre-planning and communication. Many massage therapists find themselves working by appointment only or cutting back their days of availability after the birth of a child, although it is certainly possible to continue working full time. NOTES 1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Exercise During Pregnancy Guidelines, AP119 (2003) Available at www.acog.org/publications/ patient_education/bp119.cfm (accessed June 2009). 2. Martha Sears, Williams Sears, and Linda Hughley Holt, The Pregnancy Book (New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1997). 3. National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, Frequently Asked Questions Page. Available at www. naha.org/faq_pregnancy.htm (accessed June 2009). 4. Kathi Keville and Mindy Green, Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Arts (Berkeley, California: Crossing Press, 2009). 5. "Good Posture During Pregnancy," WebMD. Available at www.webmd.com/baby/guide/ posture (accessed June 2009). 6. Art Riggs, "The Tools: Part One of Deep Tissue Massage," Massage & Bodywork (February/March 2005). Available at www.deeptissuemassagemanual. com/MassBodywork_Pt1.pdf (accessed June 2009). visit massageandbodywork.com to access your digital magazine 71