Pregnancy, connective tissue and fluid by trimester
During pregnancy your body changes in remarkable ways: hormones soften your connective tissue and fascia, your body holds on to more fluid, and your legs can start to feel heavier. Discover what happens trimester by trimester, and how a gentle, relaxing pregnancy massage — possible from 14 weeks — can fit in.
Book a free consultationFirst things clear
Pregnancy massage is possible from 14 weeks
Let us be clear about this from the start: at BodyFix a pregnancy massage is possible from 14 weeks onwards — so from the second trimester — and only with an uncomplicated pregnancy. During the first trimester we do not advise a massage; that early phase is about rest and caution. A massage with us is relaxing and supportive, a calm moment for yourself, and never a treatment for pregnancy complaints. At BodyFix — specialised in connective tissue and fascia techniques since 2008 — we treat women only, and as a private practice we do not work through health insurance. If in doubt or with complications, always consult your midwife or doctor first. Want to read how we set up a pregnancy massage in practice? See our pregnancy massage in Amsterdam.
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Pregnancy massage is possible from 14 weeks — the first trimester is not advised
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Relaxing and supportive — never a treatment for pregnancy complaints
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In doubt or with complications? Your midwife or doctor comes first
Good to know
Why your connective tissue and fluid change
Pregnancy asks a lot of your body, and it adapts in a natural way. Hormones — among them relaxin and progesterone — make your connective tissue and fascia softer and more pliable, so that your body can gradually make room as your baby grows. At the same time your blood volume increases and your body holds on to more fluid, which is why your legs and feet can feel fuller and heavier, especially towards the end of the day or in warm weather. None of this is a sign that something is wrong; it is part of how a healthy pregnancy unfolds. A gentle massage cannot stop or reverse these natural changes, but from 14 weeks it can help you feel more supple and relaxed. Want to understand the heavy, full feeling better? Read heavy legs and fluid retention.
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Hormones soften connective tissue and fascia so your body can make room
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More fluid and higher blood volume can make legs feel heavier
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These changes are normal — a massage relaxes, it does not reverse them
Trimester by trimester
How your body changes, step by step
Every pregnancy is different, but the three trimesters each have their own rhythm. Below we walk through what often changes in the body and how a relaxing massage does — or does not — fit in. Remember throughout: a massage is a moment of rest, not a treatment for complaints, and your midwife or doctor always knows your situation best.
First trimester
Rest and caution
In the first weeks your body is doing intensive work that you cannot see. We do not advise a massage in this phase; the focus is on rest and caution. From 14 weeks we look again at what feels good.
Second trimester
From 14 weeks
From 14 weeks a gentle, relaxing massage is possible. Connective tissue softens and fluid is held more easily; a calm massage can help you feel supple and at ease, without any promise of a result.
Third trimester
Heavier and side-lying
Legs feel heavier, fluid is more noticeable and comfort matters most. We work gently in a side-lying position with cushions, never on your belly — a calm moment for body and mind.
First trimester
Weeks 1–13: rest and caution
The first trimester is an intensive, invisible phase. Your hormones rise quickly, the foundations are being laid and many women feel tired, queasy or simply different in their body. Precisely because so much is changing in this early period, we do not offer a massage during the first trimester — this is the part where we deliberately keep our hands off and recommend rest and caution. That is a careful choice, not a medical judgement about your situation; for that, your midwife or doctor is your point of contact. If you are curious about a massage, the moment to look at it is from 14 weeks, once you are in the second trimester. Until then, listen to your body and to the advice of your midwife.
Second trimester
From 14 weeks: connective tissue and fluid changes
Many women experience the second trimester as a calmer, more comfortable phase, and this is also when a relaxing pregnancy massage becomes possible — from 14 weeks, with an uncomplicated pregnancy. In this period the softening of your connective tissue and fascia becomes more noticeable, and your body holds on to fluid more easily as your blood volume keeps rising. A gentle massage can be a pleasant moment to relax, to feel more supple and to take time for yourself while your body adapts. It remains relaxing and supportive, never a treatment for complaints, and we make no promises about reducing fluid or changing the way your body works. Curious how a gentle technique works with the body’s own fluid clearance? Read what lymphatic drainage is. If anything about your pregnancy worries you, always check with your midwife or doctor first.
Free intake first
We start with a free 20-minute intake, look at your situation and check that you are at least 14 weeks and that your pregnancy is uncomplicated.
Gentle and relaxing
The massage is calm and supportive, tuned to what feels comfortable for you that day — never deep or intensive work.
You set the pace
You stay in charge throughout. If anything feels uncomfortable we adjust or stop, and your midwife’s advice always comes first.
Third trimester
Heavier legs, more fluid and comfort first
In the third trimester your body is carrying noticeably more, and many women feel heavier and tire more easily. Legs and feet can feel fuller as fluid is retained, and finding a comfortable position becomes more important. That is why comfort comes first in this phase. We work gently and in a comfortable side-lying position, supported with cushions, and never flat on your belly. The goal is a calm, relaxing moment rather than deep or intensive work — a chance to slow down and feel a little lighter for a while. A massage remains relaxing and supportive, not a treatment for the heaviness or fluid that comes with pregnancy. If your pregnancy is no longer uncomplicated, or your midwife or doctor advises against it, then that advice always comes first. Curious about how the skin stretches in this phase? Read stretch marks treatment explained.
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Gentle work in a side-lying position with cushions — never on your belly
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A calm, relaxing moment — not deep or intensive work
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Heaviness and fluid are normal — a massage relaxes, it does not treat them
Warning signs
When you go to your midwife or doctor first
A massage is meant to relax, not to assess or treat a complaint. There are signals that always belong with your midwife or doctor first. Do you have a lot of swelling, or swelling that comes on suddenly? Do you feel unwell, have pain, a headache that will not go, changes in your vision, or any other symptom that worries you? Then do not look to a massage but contact your midwife or doctor. The same goes for any pregnancy that is not uncomplicated. This information is general in nature and does not replace medical advice or a diagnosis; if in doubt or with complications, consult your midwife or doctor first, and only then look at whether a relaxing massage is suitable for you.
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A lot of swelling or sudden swelling — your midwife or doctor first
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Pain, headache, changes in vision or feeling unwell — seek medical advice
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A pregnancy that is not uncomplicated — their advice always comes first
The BodyFix Method
How BodyFix approaches a pregnancy massage
At BodyFix — specialised in connective tissue and fascia techniques since 2008 — care and comfort come first, certainly during pregnancy. We treat women only and offer a pregnancy massage from 14 weeks, with an uncomplicated pregnancy. We begin with a free 20-minute intake and a diagnosis-first approach (Bodyreading), so the massage fits what your body allows that day. Our treatments are carried out by medically trained therapists with a physiotherapy background and 2,500+ hours of training, working gently and respectfully in a comfortable position. The aim is modest and honest: a calm, relaxing moment that helps you feel more supple, not a treatment for complaints. As a private practice we do not work through health insurance, so there is no reimbursement and you pay yourself. Want to see the full picture? Visit our knowledge base or book your free intake.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about pregnancy and massage
From which week is pregnancy massage allowed?
At BodyFix a pregnancy massage is possible from 14 weeks onwards, so from the second trimester. During the first trimester we do not advise a massage; that early phase is about rest and caution, and we keep our hands off it. From 14 weeks, with an uncomplicated pregnancy, a gentle, relaxing massage can feel pleasant when the connective tissue softens and fluid is more easily retained. A massage is relaxing and supportive, not a treatment for pregnancy complaints. If in doubt or with complications, consult your midwife or doctor first.
Why does my connective tissue feel softer and my body change during pregnancy?
During pregnancy your hormones, among them relaxin and progesterone, make the connective tissue and fascia softer and more pliable, so that your body can make room as your baby grows. At the same time your body holds on to more fluid and your blood volume increases, which is why your legs and feet can feel heavier and fuller, especially later in the day. This is a normal, natural change and no reason to be alarmed. A gentle pregnancy massage cannot stop or reverse these changes, but from 14 weeks it can help you feel more relaxed and supple. If something worries you, your midwife or doctor is your first point of contact.
Can a pregnancy massage treat heavy legs or fluid complaints?
No. A pregnancy massage at BodyFix is relaxing and supportive, not a medical treatment for pregnancy complaints. Heavier legs and fluid retention are a normal part of pregnancy, and a gentle massage may help a heavy, tense feeling ease for a while, but it makes no promises and is not a cure. If you have a lot of swelling, sudden swelling, pain, or any other symptom that worries you, do not look to a massage but consult your midwife or doctor first. We only work with an uncomplicated pregnancy and from 14 weeks onwards.
How do you keep a pregnancy massage comfortable in the third trimester?
In the third trimester many women feel heavier and more easily tired, so comfort comes first. We work gently and in a comfortable position, usually side-lying with cushions for support, never flat on your belly. The aim is a calm, relaxing moment, not deep or intensive work. You always set the pace, and if anything feels uncomfortable we adjust or stop. If your pregnancy is no longer uncomplicated or your midwife or doctor advises against a massage, then their advice always comes first.
What does a pregnancy massage at BodyFix cost and is it covered by insurance?
BodyFix is a private practice that treats women only and does not work through health insurance, so there is no reimbursement and you pay yourself. Our connective tissue massage costs €65 (30 min), €130 (60 min) or €195 (90 min). A single lymphatic drainage is €45, or €200 for a 5-session card. A combination treatment is €110 (30 min), €175 (60 min) or €240 (90 min). The free 20-minute intake is included. Note that a pregnancy massage is only possible from 14 weeks and with an uncomplicated pregnancy.
Curious whether a pregnancy massage suits you?
Are you at least 14 weeks, with an uncomplicated pregnancy, and curious what a gentle, relaxing massage could mean for your feeling of suppleness and rest? Start with a free, no-obligation 20-minute intake. We look at your situation together, read the body and explain which approach may suit you — with no commitment and always in tune with the advice of your midwife or doctor. Please note that BodyFix is a private practice that does not work through health insurance and treats women only.
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Free intake (20 min) included — no obligation
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Specialised in connective tissue and fascia since 2008
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Two locations in Amsterdam-Zuid — Mon to Sat 09:00–19:00
Prefer to call or email first? You can reach us on +31 6 5580 4938 or info@bodyfix.nl. You will find us at Legmeerplein 7 (1058 NJ) and at Haarlemmermeerstraat 115H in Amsterdam-Zuid.