Pregnancy Massage

Searching for Pregnancy Massage near you? Chạm Spa is on Mạc Đĩnh Chi in Tân Định Ward, District 1 — walking distance from Tân Định Market, and minutes from Lê Duẩn and the Notre-Dame Basilica.

The two things that matter most in prenatal massage are position and pressure, and both are different from an ordinary treatment. You are never asked to lie face-down, and you are not placed flat on your back for any length of time in later pregnancy. Instead you rest on your side, supported by cushions under the bump, between the knees and beneath the upper arm, so the spine stays neutral and nothing presses where it should not.

From that position your therapist can work properly on the places that ache most in pregnancy — the lower back, the hips and glutes, the shoulders that compensate for a shifting center of gravity, and the legs and feet that swell by evening. The pressure stays moderate and steady throughout.

What happens during the session

1. A short conversation first. How many weeks you are, how the pregnancy has been, where you ache, and anything your doctor or midwife has advised. Please mention any complications so we can adapt or, where appropriate, recommend waiting.
2. Settling you comfortably. Side-lying with cushions arranged until you are genuinely comfortable. Getting this right takes a few minutes and is worth the time — you can be repositioned at any point.
3. Gentle, focused work. Steady attention on the lower back, hips, shoulders and legs, with lighter strokes to help fluid move in swollen ankles and feet.
4. An unhurried finish. Time to sit up slowly at the end, because standing quickly after lying on one side can leave you light-headed in pregnancy.

Which stage of pregnancy is suitable?

We offer prenatal massage from the second trimester onward, which is standard practice at most spas. During the first trimester many practitioners prefer to wait, and we follow that convention. In the third trimester the treatment is especially welcome, and positioning becomes more important than ever. If your pregnancy is high-risk, or you have been advised to limit activity, please check with your doctor before booking — we would rather you asked first.

What pregnancy massage helps with

• Lower back and pelvic ache from the shift in posture and weight as pregnancy progresses.
• Hip and glute tightness which often becomes the dominant discomfort in the third trimester.
• Swollen legs, ankles and feet especially in Ho Chi Minh City heat, where swelling tends to build through the day.
• Neck and shoulder tension from altered posture and, later on, from disturbed sleep.
• Difficulty resting since an hour of proper comfort is often the best sleep an expectant mother gets all week.

What we avoid, and why

Deep or sustained pressure on the abdomen and lower back is not used. Heat treatments — hot stones, thermal wraps, saunas — are not combined with pregnancy massage. Certain pressure points around the ankles and wrists are traditionally avoided during pregnancy, and our therapists work around them as a matter of course. Essential oils are used sparingly and only ones considered appropriate; tell us if any scent is unwelcome, since sensitivity to smell is common in pregnancy.

Booking with comfort in mind

Eat something light beforehand rather than arriving hungry, and use the bathroom just before the session starts. Wear clothing that is easy to change out of. If you would prefer a female therapist, say so when booking and we will arrange it.

Many guests come every two to three weeks through the later stages. If you would like something more extensive, the Prenatal Pampering Retreat combines this massage with additional gentle care, and Relaxation Massage with Oil is a suitable alternative once you are no longer pregnant.

At a glance