by Kelly Wilbanks posted in Parenting

Massages are how I survived my third pregnancy. I was in constant pain between the hard winter and the harsh demands on my body. Some nights I could barely waddle to the bathroom.
Back in November, before I left on an international trip to visit my brother's family, I did three important things. I requested a prescription from my midwife for massage, I found a massage therapist who accepted my insurance, and I booked my appointment in advance.
A total of 19 hours on a plane (both ways) while 28 weeks pregnant is an experience I don't want to repeat any time soon, but spending that time with my family was priceless. After I got back from traveling to Hong Kong I began seeing a massage therapist regularly.
Not every insurance company will cover massage, but it's worth checking to see if your plan does. If it covers massage, it will often cover chiropractic care and sometimes even acupuncture. If you don't have these benefits I've found a lot of places offer a reduced fee that's just a bit more than a co-pay anyway.
I suggest arriving at least 15 minutes early to sort out any paperwork and go to the bathroom. You will have to go. Make sure to drink some water and have some ready for after your massage. My massage therapist used coconut oil and combined that with different oils as she massaged. Let your therapist know if you have any sensitivities to smells.

I was initially disappointed when my massage therapist didn't have a...