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What to Look for in a Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massages can help relieve the tension and discomfort of pregnancy, and NYC has many potential locations to choose from. So, how do you know which spa or therapist to book for the best experience for you?

Before you even consider a therapist, consult with your doctor about whether a prenatal massage is right for you. Every pregnancy is different, and some conditions require additional precautions. A quick check-in with your medical and birth team can ensure that your prenatal therapy session is relaxing and safe for you and your baby.

Once you're ready to take the plunge and book a prenatal massage in NYC, look for someone certified and experienced. Therapists who are specifically certified in prenatal massages have completed training and have hands-on experience to provide expectant mothers with the kind of treatment that their bodies need.

Finally, find a location and personality that make you feel the most relaxed and at ease. With so many practitioners of prenatal massage in NYC, you're sure to find the perfect one for you—and maybe even continue coming there for years after for general spa treatments.

Top Prenatal Massage Spots in Manhattan

1. Prenatal Massage & Movement Center – Multiple Manhattan Locations

Why we love it: This business offers prenatal and postpartum massage, and has been supporting expectant mothers through every step of the journey and beyond since 2001. The Labor Enhancement Massage & Movement session is a 90-minute targeted experience meant to prepare the body for birth through gentle fascia stretching, acupressure, and massage. The Center also offers Spinning Babies Body Balancing sessions, which combine on-site massages with at-home activities to encourage optimal positioning for an easier birth, as well as Manual Lymphatic Drainage services to boost immunity, reduce swelling, and promote relaxation. In short, this is your one-stop shop for every kind of relaxation and relief you might need before, during, and after birth.

2. ZZ Day Spa – Midtown

Why we love it: ZZ Day Spa is one of the most popular massage centers in NYC. The entire experience is designed to be relaxing and welcoming from the moment you step in, with everything from the waiting room to the massage rooms evoking a peaceful oasis. The environment and expert, licensed therapists keep guests coming back for the spa's other popular "pamper me" sessions post-pregnancy, when you need a moment to unwind and relax.

3. Holistic Hands NYC Prenatal Massage – Midtown

Why we love it: Visitors rave about Nicole Libschik Nasser's skillful handling of the pregnant body. She takes a holistic approach to prenatal massage therapy: Drawing from Eastern and Western practices, Nasser's massages target not only the body but also the face, head, and neck for a complete release of tension. The massages aim to empower and bring awareness to the self, with a client-centric approach that welcomes all into the center's embrace.

4. EarthySoul – Fidi

Why we love it: This Fidi gem is designed to be a tranquil retreat for expectant mothers, offering massage therapy and reflexology at the hands of certified therapist Eileen Togher. Togher works with her clients to create a tailor-made experience for them, whether that's through acupressure, Reiki, yoga, gentle massage, or energy healing. EarthySoul is a great place for first-timers, as it ensures every visitor knows exactly what they're getting and what to expect from the experience before starting the session.

5. Nuansa Spa – Midtown

Why we love it: Nuansa's central Midtown location is right across the street from Rockefeller Center, so you can enjoy a touch of shopping with your renewed post-massage energy. The spa's popular prenatal massages provide visitors with a luxury relaxation experience at the hands of experienced and skilled professional therapists. Clients often report getting one of the best massages of their lives at the hands of Nuansa's therapists, so you know when you're here, you're in good hands.

RELATED: Best Maternity Stores in NYC for Expecting Moms

At MaMassage each session is tailored to the client's needs.

Best Prenatal Massages in Brooklyn

6. MaMassage – Prospect Heights

Why we love it: MaMassage provides inclusive and evidence-based massage therapy, with a team that's highly attuned to every client's unique situation and body. The center offers an impressive variety of therapies, including Swedish massage, myofascial release, acupressure, manual lymphatic drainage, stretching, and more to provide every visitor with every kind of relief they need. Therapists here are trained to support visitors during pregnancy and through postpartum and post-surgical recovery. We also appreciate that, while MaMassage specializes in pregnancies, it also welcomes non-pregnant clients who identify as women, non-binary, or gender non-conforming.

7. Alphássage Wellness & Fitness – Bed-Stuy

Why we love it: Every session at Alphássage starts with a one-on-one consultation to assess what your body needs and how the therapist can best provide it. The prenatal massage experience focuses on full-body relief of common pregnancy issues, and the session includes the use of hot stones and towels, as well as lymphatic drainage, acupressure, and full-body stretching. You'll also get support following the experience, which doesn't end when the massage finishes—your therapist sits with you afterward to discuss ways to continue practicing self-care at home.

8. cityWell Brooklyn – Gowanus

Why we love it: Step away from the city streets of NYC and into a rustic spa experience of cityWell, a boutique bathhouse that feels worlds away from the city streets. Experience the joys of an outdoor sauna, rainfall showers, soaking tubs, and a cedar cabin, or just relax in a hammock in the in- and outdoor oasis. Its prenatal massages focus on promoting circulation and providing relief from pregnancy aches, and include hot towel therapy and customized aromatherapy.

Queens, the Bronx & Staten Island: Discover Your Prenatal Oasis

9. 718 Wellness – South Bronx

Why we love it: Owned and run by Bronx native Carolina Aquino, 718 Wellness is a Bronx gem for moms-to-be. The studio specializes in prenatal and postpartum massage, but many patients continue visiting long after giving birth thanks to Aquino's warmth, attentiveness, and mindful therapy. 718 Wellness supports patients through prenatal care, labor readiness, C-section recovery, and post-partum care.

10. Tones Day Spa – Morris Park, the Bronx

Why we love it: Tones Day Spa has been bringing peace and tranquility to the Bronx for more than 15 years. Tones offers a prenatal massage to reduce muscle and joint strain, but it also has a unique Couples Prenatal experience—a chance for you and your significant other to enjoy a relaxing spa experience in a private suite. Find a moment of peace and intimacy, and leave feeling refreshed, together.

11. The MJ Treatment Spa & Wellness – Olinville, the Bronx

Why we love it: Therapy at the MJ Treatment Spa & Wellness consists of five treatment rooms, each representing the five elements of Chinese Medicine. The Hot Mama Prenatal Massage package is a side-lying session specifically designed for pregnancies of at least 13 weeks, and helps to ease foot and back tension. It's also one of the most affordable options on our list.

12. House of Wellness – Astoria, Queens

Why we love it: The House of Wellness reminds you that if you "listen to your body when it whispers, you won’t have to hear it scream." The team at the center is highly skilled at listening to the body's whispers, with certified prenatal massage therapists trained in the unique anatomy and physiology of pregnancy. This Astoria gem helps patients find relief from back and leg pain, reduce swelling, and reduce stress overall. Patients who visit the House of Wellness report a surge of energy following the experience, and overall excellent service, clean treatment rooms, and a personal touch to ensure every session is tailored to their needs.

13. Earth + Sky Massage and Acupuncture – Long Island City

Why we love it: The services at Earth + Sky support moms-to-be every step of the way from prenatal to postpartum care. Prenatal massages promote full-body relief and deep relaxation, as well as several specialized types of massages that aren't offered everywhere, like positioning, rebozo techniques, and pressure point massage. This is also the place to go for face-down massages using a cushion system, if that's something you're interested in, as well as a breast and chest massage that includes the upper back, shoulder, and chest areas.

14. LaVida Massage of Staten Island – Charleston, Staten Island

Why we love it: Therapists at LaVida tailor the massage techniques to your stage of pregnancy, using a lighter touch the further along you are. In particular, prenatal massages here use the Swedish massage technique of Effleurage, which involves gentle strokes with light pressure. The aim is to warm the muscles and promote circulation, providing relief. Prenatal massages at LaVida are done while lying on the side, and communication between therapist and patient is encouraged—if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask!

What to Expect During Your Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massages are specifically designed to benefit pregnant bodies, with the safety and comfort of both you and your baby in mind. When you arrive at your session, you will likely consult with your therapist to discuss what you want to get out of the session and what to expect. You might be asked to get undressed to whatever level you're comfortable with. You'll typically be positioned either on your side or your back, with cushions for support. Your therapist will use gentle massage techniques to relieve tension in areas that may be bothering you, like the lower back, hips, and shoulders.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and speak up about anything! Communication is key throughout the experience to ensure you're relaxed and comfortable. Let your therapist know if you need to adjust your positioning, if they should apply less pressure, or anything else you need. By working together, you and your therapist make your massage the calming spa treatment you deserve.

Photos courtesy of the centers