Work

Women’s experiences of massage during childbearing: A Swedish qualitative interview study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: • Through massage during childbearing, women report feeling seen, heard and touched. • Massage facilitates present-moment awareness, alleviates pain and strengthens relational bonds. • Massage fosters intimacy and togetherness with the partner. • Massage is associated with vulnerability and the recall of bodily memories. • Massage should be provided with respect, trust and sensitivity to women’s needs. Massage during childbearing has been shown to benefit women’s health and well-being, such as reducing pain and stress and enhancing satisfaction with the labour experience. Despite these documented benefits, massage is not routinely offered as a complementary method by midwives within standard maternity care in Sweden, leaving women’s lived experiences of massage in this context unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to explore women’s experiences of massage during childbearing. The research was conducted as a qualitative study using an inductive approach. Semi-structured interviews with 12 women in Sweden were carried out, and data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Analysis of the data yielded one overall theme— seen, heard and touched— and three categories: being mentally present in the body , a vulnerability needed to be respected and sharing experiences. Massage promoted present-moment awareness, trust and safety and relieved pain and stress. It also strengthened the connection with one’s own body and deepened closeness to both partner and unborn child. However, it was associated with vulnerability and the recall of bodily memories. Massage during childbearing is a supportive practice that integrates physical and emotional well-being with mental recovery, making women feel seen , heard and touched. For optimal benefits and positive experiences, massage must be provided with respect to boundaries. This is particularly important because it may evoke sensitive memories, which involve a vulnerability that needs to be respected. Massage is a valuable complementary method alongside maternity care.

Source: Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare

DOI: 10.1016/j.srhc.2026.101186

Authors: Amanda Claesson Karhunen, Maria Henricson, Rajna Knez, Caroline Bäckström

Institutions: Skaraborg Hospital, University of Borås, Jönköping University, University of Skövde, University of Gothenburg

Language: English

Topic: Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions

Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,850