Would I be allowed to continue with a VTCT massage course if I became pregnant? I know some people advice to avoid massage during the first trimester so I'm wondering if it would be a problem during training. It's Swedish massage which I'm guessing won't involve any oils which aren't suitable during pregnancy.
Any advice is appreciated thanks
I think it would be more up to the college you're studying with than what people on a message board would say.
I work on clients all the time that are pregnant without knowing. The important thing is no big changes to routine in the first trimester, no starting up major fitness routines, no massive change of diet, no suddenly having your first massage in 3 years, etc. If you are having some massage in a massage class every week for a few months and become pregnant during that time, it shouldn't be any concern. The lecturer would/should know what areas to avoid.and make sure if anyone is working on you they avoid the areas, or you may have an odd number in the class and you won't get worked on much (just make sure you do get enough hands-on during the class yourself, pregnancy hormones are designed to make you forget what it is like so you will do it all again, and that can mean a lot of of what you learn may just not stick, unless youget your hands to do it automatically.
How long is your course? I've been in classes with people very close to their due date, they just didn't do some things (couldn't fit the belly in) and didn't have some things done to them. It's more about whether the school thinks they and their other students can cope with - these days it should be ok..
Thanks for your reply. I am happy to be massaged during pregnancy - as I was with my first two but I'm worried I start the course and then become pregnant and they won't let me continue.
The course runs September - June. I don't want to put off trying to conceive or the course for various reasons but not sure how I can fit them both in at the same time either!
If you conceive before the course, I wouldn't do the course, you're going to need time off when the baby arrives and that would clash with the course. I would put off trying to conceive the first 2 months of the course for the same reason.
Time everything around being 8months or less at the end of the course (you don't want to be doing a course the last month of your pregnancy, uncomfortable or allowing for baby arriving early).
Check with the college if they are OK with it, you never know they might say it would be a problem - I doubt it, they can't just ask anyone that becomes pregnant to leave, but they might be able to make some recommendations if there are any elective units you are better off doing sooner or later.
you shouldn't be discriminated against but supported.
also not using essential oils is also good.
Thanks for your replies.
I've just finished the VTCT Holistic Therapies Diploma course (aroma, swedish & reflex), I don't know if the course you are planning on doing will be similar, but I'll give you my opinion if you were doing the same course I did.
With Swedish it's easy enough to avoid any essential oils, as that would count as aroma. You would only be using carrier oils, so that wouldn't be a problem, & of course you wouldn't be able to be a practice partner with a fellow student (I would doubt any college would be comfortable with you receiving any sort of massage for the first trimester, particularly by a fellow student. A few of class mates had to refuse case studies due to them falling pregnant).
The only thing I believe worth thinking about is that it is physically tiring & depending how many clients you get in one day, there is the possibly of you being on your feet all day & trust me you'll sweat! (I know I did!). The course I have just finished I have found out will be 100 hrs for each treatment ie 300 hrs in all, to complete the course starting next term.
I think it's something you'll need to take in mind before you make any decisions. Would you be physically be able to do it while pregnant without burning yourself out?
I don't see any other problems.
Thanks for your reply. I am pretty sure I will be fine - ive had 2 babies already so know what to expect pregnancy wise. During both my previous pregnancies I have worked 12.5 hr busy day and nightshifts right until 3 weeks before my babies arrived.
Obviously this is all assuming a normal pregnancy.