Massage Support for Mothers on Bedrest: A Therapist’s Perspective

Pregnancy is rarely a straight line. For some mothers, complications arise that require partial or complete bed rest. This can happen at home or in the hospital under continuous monitoring. These situations are stressful, disorienting, and physically taxing. As massage therapists, we have a unique role to play in supporting these women and their families during one of the most challenging chapters of their journey.

I want to share insights, logistics, and stories from my practice working with mothers on bed rest, because this work has been among the most meaningful of my career.

Framing the realities of risk

• One in four pregnancies has at least one high risk factor. Most still end with healthy mothers and healthy babies.
  
  
• About six to eight percent of those higher risk cases require very closely managed medical care, which may include bed rest.
  
  
• High risk status can emerge at any point in pregnancy, sometimes suddenly. When that happens, families face emotional strain and rapid logistical shifts.
  
  

When a mother reaches out for massage support under these circumstances, I gather sufficient information about her symptoms and care plan, and I make sure she is actively working with her medical team. Our work complements her medical care, but cannot replace it.

Why massage matters here

Chronic stress is both a cause and a result of many high risk factors. The cycle feeds on itself. Massage can help interrupt that loop by shifting the nervous system toward parasympathetic tone. In practice, that looks like slower breathing, relaxed muscles, calmer thoughts, and a body that remembers how to rest. Family members and partners feel the relief too. They finally have something tangible that brings comfort in a situation that may have made them feel helpless for weeks or months on end. 

The biggest concern that bedrest is meant to reduce is preterm labor. Clearly the structures involved in the onset of labor are housed within the abdomen. Even very light abdominal touch can feel emotionally loaded in this context and may carry liability concerns. I ask whether abdominal massage is truly safe and worth it. In bed rest cases in my practice, the answer is no. There are many other areas where safe, effective work makes a meaningful difference, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Mentally, a mother on bed rest may be focused on one goal only: get the baby (or babies) here safely. Self-care often disappears. Massage can gently bring her back to her needs, her breath, and her body’s cues.

A story from the hospital

One mother carrying twins that I cared for, was on continuous monitoring in the hospital. A calendar hung across from her bed with a single date circled. Each day before it was crossed off in thick black ink. That date was the finish line when her babies would be safer. She held her breath until then- literally counting down the days, and sometimes the hours until they reached that milestone.

After our session her husband walked me into the hallway with tears in his eyes and thanked me. I was able to provide his wife with a true respite, genuine distraction, and comfort in her weary body.  When you love someone and can do so little to change the uncertainty, seeing her receive compassionate touch is a lifeline.

Bed rest basics

• The goal is simple. Increase the chance the pregnancy continues.
  
  
• Research on the effectiveness of bed rest for preventing preterm birth is mixed. Some studies report no clear evidence for or against it.
  
  
• Always ask the client for her diagnosis and restrictions so your care aligns with her medical plan.
  
  

How I adapt sessions

Location
Where we work depends on her restrictions. Sessions may happen at home, in the hospital, or in my office if she is on modified bed rest and allowed limited outings for a set period of time.

Hospital logistics
I use the hospital bed and bring my side-lying system, wedges, and bolsters. I introduce myself to the nurse on duty, ask about current restrictions, and look carefully for ports, IVs, monitors, lines, and plugs so nothing is disturbed.

Safety priorities

• Focus on relaxation and down-regulation of the nervous system.
  
  
• Avoid or use superficial work for legs and feet due to increased clot risk.
  
  
• Favor myofascial techniques, passive movements, and gentle stretching.
  
  
• Use specific trigger point and structural work for the back, spine, shoulders, and pectoral girdle where appropriate.
  
  
• Skip abdominal massage for mothers on bed rest.
  
  
• Allow time for reflective listening. Encourage simple self-care such as journaling, meditation, or prayer.
  
  

If she has a physical therapy regimen, I ask what is hard or painful. Then I address myofascial restrictions that make those exercises difficult so the plans work together.

I often teach a few simple soothing strokes that partners can use between visits. It gives them a role and strengthens their bond. After the baby arrives, I love introducing infant massage to support bonding and confidence during the newborn transition.

Why this work matters

Bed rest care is not glamorous. It requires patience, flexibility, and a steady presence in unpredictable environments. Yet it is sacred work. In rooms where families are counting days and holding their breath, safe touch and calm attention can change the tone of a day and sometimes the course of a week.

For therapists who have not done this yet, do not shy away. With clear safety awareness and collaboration with medical teams, massage can be a lifeline for mothers on bed rest.

Practitioner sidebar: quick reference

• One in four pregnancies has high risk factors. Most end well.
  
  
• Six to eight percent of those require closely managed medical care.
  
  
• Status can shift at any time. Reassure and confirm that she is under active medical care.
  
  
• Aim your work at the parasympathetic nervous system.
  
  
• Avoid any abdominal work.
  
  
• Expect location flexibility. Home, hospital, or office if modified bed rest permits.
  
  
• In hospital, use the bed, bring bolsters, and check for lines and ports.
  
  
• Prioritize relaxation, superficial leg and foot work, myofascial techniques, passive movement, and targeted trigger point work for back and shoulder girdle.
  
  
• Make space for listening. Offer simple self-care ideas.
  
  
• Coordinate with physical therapy goals.
  
  
• Teach infant massage after birth to support bonding.

An Invitation

If you are a massage therapist, I warmly invite you to come study with me in the tradition of Carole Osborne, the course creator and pioneer of evidence informed pre and perinatal massage education. I am one of her five authorized instructors and I carry her lineage forward with great care. Through my continuing education courses you will learn evidence informed, hands on approaches to supporting women through every stage of the maternity arc, including specialized training for high risk scenarios such as bed rest. It is some of the most meaningful work you can bring into your practice and I would love to help you feel confident and prepared.

If you are a mother or family member, know that you do not have to navigate this chapter alone. My team of specialized maternity therapists at Sparrow’s Nest is here for you, whether in our Pasadena wellness center or in the comfort of your own home, or hospital room through house call care. Our work is designed to bring calm, relief, and compassionate support exactly when you need it most.