Prenatal massage therapy focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be. While providing emotional support and nurturing touches, it provides relaxation by relieving stress on joints, eases neck and back pain, helps to keep good posture and relaxes and provides flexibility to birthing muscles.

Massage can aid the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which can keep blood flowing to both the mother and the baby, and reduce fatigue. It stimulates different glands in the body, which help to stabilize hormone levels, and relieves nervous tension throughout the body. The fetus can also receive warm, loving touches before he or she is born. Massage oils and creams with vitamin E included may help with possible stretching of the skin around the belly. Doctors agree that a relaxed mother will be more likely to have a happier and healthier pregnancy, and perhaps an easier delivery.

For more information, visit http://spas.about.com/library/weekly/aa070699.htm