Massage has been used for thousands of years to relieve stress, relax the muscles, and improve general health – and that remains true during pregnancy. While the essential benefits of massage therapy remain the same, prenatal massage requires different techniques to insure the safety of both the mother and the baby. With a few precautions (after the first trimester, you will need a note from your doctor) Prenatal Massage benefits include, lowered anxiety, decreased back & leg pain, improved sleep, decreased levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine, increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, decreased levels of cortisol (a stress indicator common in depressed pregnant patients), and an overall improvement in mood. The client is provided with  extra pillows or sheets in order  to make her more comfortable during the session.