You are home with your new baby, your body feels unfamiliar, and even the idea of travelling for a massage is exhausting. If that is you, you are not alone. Post-natal massage at home can be a calm, practical way to help your body recover, ease tension, and support your nervous system without stepping out the front door. I bring everything to you, so you can feed, nap, and be looked after in your own space while I work around you and your baby.
Why consider post-natal massage?
Pregnancy and birth ask a lot of the body. Shoulders tighten from feeding and lifting, the lower back and hips work overtime, and sleep comes in short bursts. Post-natal massage helps you settle, breathe, and feel more like yourself. It is not about pushing through pain. It is about guiding your body back toward comfort and balance.
Support for physical recovery
Common post-natal patterns I see include neck and shoulder tension from feeding positions, tightness around the ribcage from months of altered breathing, and soreness through the lower back, pelvis, and glutes from carrying and birth positioning. Gentle, targeted massage can:
- Ease neck, shoulder, and upper back strain from nursing or bottle-feeding.
- Reduce hip, sacral, and lower back discomfort linked to pregnancy and labour.
- Encourage fluid circulation in the legs and feet to ease puffiness.
- Support gentle mobility of the ribcage and diaphragm for easier breathing.
- Introduce safe awareness work around the tummy once you have the green light, helping you reconnect with your core.
If you had a caesarean, we can work around the incision and surrounding tissues to reduce protective tension. Direct scar work only begins after you have healed and had the OK from your midwife, GP, or consultant. Before that, there is plenty we can do elsewhere to help you feel better.
Nervous system settling and better sleep
Massage is not just about muscles. Post-natal care is equally about your nervous system. Gentle, rhythmic touch encourages rest-and-digest responses, which can improve sleep quality, even if the total hours are still short. Many clients report feeling calmer and more present after a session. This is not magic, it is your body responding to soothing input that says you are safe.
Feeding posture and everyday strain
Feeding and baby-carrying can lock us into rounded shoulders and a tucked chin. Over time, this strains the neck, wrists, and upper back. Part of my role is hands-on work plus practical ideas. Small adjustments to how you sit, stand, and hold your baby, along with two or three simple movements, can make a real difference between sessions.
When can you have a post-natal massage?
There is no one-size rule, only sensible guidelines and your comfort level. If you had an uncomplicated vaginal birth, you can usually receive gentle massage as soon as you feel ready, often within the first week or two. We will avoid direct abdominal work initially and prioritise comfort, rest, and circulation.
After a vaginal birth
We focus on side-lying or semi-reclined positions. I keep pressure light to moderate, depending on what feels good. If you had stitches or perineal soreness, positioning can be adapted so there is no strain. We stay away from anything that feels too much.
After a caesarean
If you had a C-section, we can work safely in side-lying or semi-reclined positions soon after you are home and comfortable, avoiding the abdomen until your incision is well healed and you have clearance. Gentle work to the back, hips, legs, and chest can still be very relieving. Direct scar massage usually starts from six to eight weeks onward, depending on healing and medical guidance.
Listen to your body and your care team
Your midwife, health visitor, or GP remains your first line of guidance. If anything is unclear or you have concerns, we will keep things gentle and wait for confirmation. You are always in charge of what we do and do not work on.
Safety first, always
Post-natal bodies deserve careful attention. Before any session I run through a brief health check, we discuss your birth and how you are feeling today, and I plan the massage around that.
When to postpone and seek advice
Please let me know straight away if you have any of the following. We may need to postpone and ask your GP or midwife for advice:
- Fever, flu-like symptoms, or suspected infection.
- Signs of mastitis such as a red, hot, painful area on the breast with fever.
- Heavy ongoing bleeding, or sudden increase in bleeding.
- Suspected deep vein thrombosis, such as one calf that is hot, swollen, and tender.
- Severe headache with visual changes or swelling. Post-partum pre-eclampsia can occur and needs urgent medical attention.
Massage can be adapted for many post-natal situations, yet certain symptoms are red flags and deserve prompt medical care. We can always reschedule once you are cleared.
Positioning and comfort
Side-lying with plenty of pillows is often the winner in the early weeks. Semi-reclined on the table is also great for chest and neck work. Lying face down is possible later, although we avoid pressure on tender breasts or fresh scars. You will be covered and supported at all times, and we adjust as we go.
Pressure, pace, and products
I use a mix of light to moderate pressure. Deep tissue work has its place, but early post-natal sessions tend to favour easing techniques over heavy pressure. I use neutral, hypoallergenic oils that are safe for breastfeeding. If you prefer unscented products to avoid competing with baby’s sense of smell, just say. If you have known allergies, I will patch test or use your own preferred product.
What to expect during an at-home post-natal session
I work as a Mobile Massage therapist, bringing a professional table, linens, and all equipment to your home in Slough, Maidenhead, Windsor, Ealing, Richmond, Chiswick, and surrounding areas, including neighbourhoods within 10 km of Slough. If you are near Langley Leisure Centre, I am often in the area and can usually fit you in around school runs and nap windows.
Before I arrive
You do not need to tidy. If there is space for the table, brilliant. If not, we can work side-lying on a sofa or in a comfortable corner. Feed your baby beforehand if you like, although it is absolutely fine to pause for a feed. Pets are welcome as long as they are friendly. I have worked with many curious cats and a few very mellow dogs.
The check-in
We start with a short chat about your birth, how you are healing, any pain or niggles, your feeding setup, and what you want from the session. Consent is ongoing. If anything feels too much or you need to stop, we do. If baby needs you, we pause.
The treatment flow
Every body is different, but a typical first session might look like this:
- Side-lying back, neck, and shoulder work to release the upper body.
- Gentle hip, glute, and lower back techniques to settle the pelvis and ease sciatic-type tension.
- Leg and foot work to encourage fluid movement and reduce heaviness.
- Chest and ribcage release in a semi-reclined position to ease breathing and feeding strain.
- Very light tummy awareness only when appropriate, focusing on breath and connection, not pressure.
Depending on your needs, I might use elements of Holistic Massage, lighter lymphatic strokes for swelling, and focused Deep Tissue Massage in specific areas that are ready for it. Harmonoflow™ is my signature approach that blends therapeutic structure with a soothing, immersive flow. The aim is to be restorative and grounding, so you come away calmer and more comfortable.
Real experiences from at-home visits
Emma in Windsor booked at three weeks post-birth. We set up in her living room while her partner took the baby for a short walk. She had a pulling ache between the shoulder blades from side-lying feeds and long cluster-feeding sessions. We worked in side-lying with cushions, focusing on the upper back, neck, and ribs. She fell asleep for twenty minutes, woke feeling lighter, and sent me a message the next day saying she had breastfed in a more relaxed position with far less neck strain.
Rajni in Slough had a planned C-section. At four weeks we avoided the abdomen and worked around the hips, lower back, and chest to ease protective bracing. By eight weeks, after her postnatal check, we introduced gentle scar work along with breath-led core reconnection. She noticed less pulling when standing up and felt more confident going for longer walks around her local park near Langley Leisure Centre.
Common questions I am asked
Will massage affect my milk supply?
Massage does not reduce milk supply. It can sometimes encourage let-down because you are relaxed, which is why many clients like to feed just before the session. I avoid direct pressure on engorged breasts and can help with gentle chest and shoulder release that supports comfortable feeding posture. If you have mastitis symptoms, we postpone and you speak to your GP or midwife first.
What if the baby cries during the session?
We go with the flow. If baby wakes, you can feed or cuddle while I work on your neck and shoulders seated, then we return to the table. There is no pressure to make the session run perfectly. The benefit of a mobile, at-home treatment is that we adapt around your rhythm.
I do not feel like being seen right now
I hear this often. Your body has done something remarkable and it may not feel like your own yet. My space is judgement free. We use towels and blankets for privacy and warmth. You choose what to wear. We only work where you are comfortable being touched.
How strong will the pressure be?
Enough to help, not so much that you brace. In early post-natal weeks, firm-but-gentle is usually best. Deep Tissue Massage is reserved for areas that are ready and only with your clear feedback. Soreness is not the goal. Comfort that lasts is.
How long is a session and how often should I book?
Sixty minutes works well for many. Ninety minutes can be a treat if you want more unhurried work. Frequency depends on your needs. Some people like weekly or fortnightly sessions in the first six to eight weeks, moving to monthly as things settle. Others book as needed when a particular issue flares. There is no correct pattern, only what supports you.
Practical tips to get the most out of your at-home massage
- Feed just before I arrive if you can, it often buys a little quiet time.
- Warm the room. Warmth helps your body relax quicker.
- Have two pillows and a light blanket handy. I bring extras, but your favourites are always welcome.
- Tell me about any aches before we start, even small ones. The small ones often matter most.
- After the session, drink some water, take a short gentle walk around the house, then rest if possible.
- Notice your feeding posture. Bring baby to you, not the other way round. Support under your elbows helps.
- Try two simple resets a few times a day: shoulder rolls with easy breathing, and slow ankle pumps to help circulation.
Specific post-natal issues we can address
C-section recovery and scar care
Once healed and cleared, gentle scar work can help with sensitivity, pulling, and movement. We start with very light, pain-free techniques and progress gradually. Scar work is about listening to your body, not forcing change. If anything does not feel right, we stop.
Diastasis recti
If your abdominal wall feels separated or domed, do not worry. It is common and your body can adapt well. Massage will not close a diastasis directly, yet it can reduce tension in the ribcage, hips, and lower back, which makes your core connection work easier. I can also suggest simple breath-led awareness and happily work alongside a women’s health physio if you have one.
Pelvic girdle and lower back pain
Pain around the sacroiliac joints, hips, and pubic area can continue after birth. Gentle release for the hip rotators, glutes, and lower back often reduces strain. We will avoid positions that aggravate symptoms and use small, supported movements to find comfort.
Wrist and thumb pain from lifting
Many new parents develop sore wrists and thumbs from feeding and repetitive lifting, sometimes called De Quervain’s. Massage can ease the forearm and hand muscles, while small changes to how you hold your baby help reduce flare ups. Using a supportive cushion and keeping your wrist in a neutral position are simple wins.
How I tailor techniques for post-natal care
My background spans Holistic Massage and focused therapeutic work, along with my own Harmonoflow™ approach. In practice, that means I combine:
- Gentle rhythmic strokes to settle your nervous system.
- Specific myofascial techniques to ease pulling and stiffness.
- Targeted Deep Tissue Massage only where helpful and comfortable.
- Lighter lymphatic-inspired work for puffiness in legs, feet, or hands.
- Breath-led pacing, so your body can let go rather than brace.
The result should be therapeutic and restorative. Some clients describe it as feeling put back together. That is the aim, to meet you where you are and support what matters most that day.
A note on myths
- You do not have to wait exactly six weeks for any massage. Gentle, adapted work is often safe sooner after a vaginal birth, as long as you feel ready and there are no red flags. After a C-section, we avoid the incision until healed and cleared.
- No pain, no gain does not apply here. Your body has already done the hard work. Gentle and precise beats heavy and overwhelming.
- Massage does not flush toxins. It supports circulation and relaxation. Feeling thirsty or needing the loo after a session is just your body rebalancing fluids.
- Breastfeeding and oils can mix safely. We choose simple, skin-friendly products and avoid strong fragrances.
Where I work and how mobile massage helps
I offer Mobile Massage across Slough, Maidenhead, Windsor, Ealing, Richmond, Chiswick, and nearby towns within 10 km of Slough. At-home relaxation means less packing, no traffic, and no waiting rooms. If you live near Langley Leisure Centre or commute through Ealing Broadway, I can usually find a time that works around feeds, naps, and school runs.
Bringing professional Massage Therapy to your home also allows us to look at your real-life setup. I can suggest small comfort tweaks to the chair where you feed, the height of the changing area, or how to position cushions to support your back.
Partners and supporters are welcome
Post-natal time involves the whole family. If your partner or a supportive friend is around, they are welcome to sit in, hold the baby, or even book their own session. Tension from long nights and new routines is not limited to one person. Shared care helps everyone.
Aftercare, the simple version
After your massage, take it easy if you can. Keep warm, sip water, and notice what changes. If you feel a little floaty, a short stroll around the house helps you re-ground. If baby needs you straight away, that is fine too. The benefits of a calm, responsive nervous system carry on in the background.
If you are returning to exercise
Go slow. Walking, breath work, and gentle mobility often beat early high-intensity efforts. If you are unsure, a women’s health physio is a brilliant resource. Massage can support your return by easing areas that feel stuck and helping you move well between sessions. I often work with gym-goers in Chiswick and Richmond who are rebuilding strength gradually. Thoughtful progress always wins.
How to choose a post-natal therapist
Look for qualifications, insurance, clear communication, and a calm presence. I am certified, insured, and CNHC-registered, with over fifteen years of hands-on experience. More important than any badge is how you feel with your therapist, heard, safe, and not rushed. That is the standard I work to in every home visit, whether in Slough or central Ealing.
Final thoughts
Post-natal massage at home is not a luxury. It is practical care during a time when you are caring for everyone else. Your body has changed. Your routines have changed. Support that meets you where you are can make the days feel softer and the nights a little easier.
If you are in Slough, Maidenhead, Windsor, Ealing, Richmond, Chiswick, or nearby, I would be glad to help. If you are looking for a way to unwind without leaving the house, a mobile massage might be just what you need. To book post-natal or deep tissue massage in Slough or surrounding areas, head to the booking page and choose a time that suits you. If you have questions first, send me a message. We will keep it simple, and we will do it at your pace.
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