Pregnancy massage is a hands-on massage treatment given to the client during or after pregnancy (also called prenatal or postnatal massage).  It can be done by lying on the side on the massage table, or using a special designed pregnancy pillow which accommodate the client's pregnant belly while allowing her to lay in prone position.  However, according to science research side-lying position is best for receiving treatment particularly for mums who are in their third trimester or carrying twins.   

Todays, there's only a handful of small studies have focused on massage in pregnancy. According to Webmd, one study at the University of Miami School of Medicine suggests that massage therapy might have multiple positive effects, including:

• Lowered anxiety 
• Decreased back and leg pain
• Improved sleep
• Decreased levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine

A different study of pregnancy massage in depressed women, they concluded that:

• Increased levels of the "feel-good" hormones serotonin and dopamine
• Decreased levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress
• An overall improvement in mood