HI Heather, My personal preference for the past 20+ years is the BodySupport Systems Body Cushion.  I have used it with all clients, pregnant and not. It's versatile enough to give optimum comfort for sidelying, supine, prone, and semi-reclining without alot of fussing. I think I've seen all the systems available, as my students often come with something they've bought in the past or for class, and still we all end up liking BodySupport Systems best. However, it is very expensive and the quality of their foam seems to have changed over the years so  a bit stiffer than they used to be, so some edges seem a bit pokey. They have an additional piece great for large breasted women positioning prone (such as lactating postpartum mothers)  Many students  find them on craigslist or ebay. I just bought the system recently for $100 from someone posting on Facebook!

MOTHERTOUCH Pregnancy, Postpartum Perinatal Bodywork Education  & Resources.  

Learn comprehensive pregnancy, birth, postnatal bodywork skills with a holistic and reverent bent. Next course sequence of classes, leading to a 60-Hour Maternity Massage Certification is in the next two weekends!

Oregon School of Massage, PORTLAND
 April 17-19 PREGNANCY MASSAGE ESSENTIALS.  
April 20: ADVANCED PREGNANCY MASSAGE TECHNIQUES.
April 25: BODYWORK FOR THE NEW MOTHER.  
April 26: MASSAGE & ACUPRESSURE FOR BIRTH.

Waterville, MAINE:
June 26-29,   32-HR PRENATAL BODYWORK CERTIFICATION

Gainseville, FLORIDA
November 13-16,   32-HR PRENATAL BODYWORK CERTIFICATION


Touch for Birth provides educational resources for Massage Therapists, Childbirth Educators, Midwives and Doulas to enhance their skills as Touch Companions.

NEWS FLASH ABOUT CLOTS/DVTS/PE DURING PREGNANCY/POSTPARTUM:

 I"ve been teaching pre and perinatal bodywork for 22 years. I am textbook author of Nurturing Massage for Pregnancy.  Because of a  5-6x increased risk of DVT during pregnancy/postpartum, I have generally supported a standard protocol of avoiding deep bodywork to the adductors and calves during that period. Most DVT's are found in the calf region during pregnancy, a bunch in the adductor region, 10% in the pelvis. AND Most that embolize are actually NON-symptomatic.

 Therefore there may be no clear signs of the most dangerous blood clots.

In light of that, I thought perhaps it best to encourage practicing as though any pregnant woman could have an undiagnosed DVT, as some could.  I have always wondered if this was an unnecessary fear-based precaution though. I am all about busting myths about the dangers of pregnancy massage, so this has bugged me and I have continued seeking  info and research over the years.

I just heard back from a high-risk OB-GYN from Duke University, and have conferred with other colleagues now, who have also spoken to vascular surgeons,  and OB-GYN's.  The conclusion and response: No clot precautions are necessary for non-symptomatic pregnant women. The risk for DVT is 1:1000 pregnant women. The experts feel it’s not high enough to have across-the-board massage precautions.

That said, knowing who is at greater risk is important: Pregnant and postpartum women who have flown by plane, been immobilized or on bedrest,  have a history of a clot, genetic disposition to clotting issues, are obese, had surgery/c-section, ... these women are especially at risk for developing clots, and I would then say to PRACTICE THE PRECAUTIONS in these cases for no deep work to the areas of concern.

It is important to note that for any woman on blood thinners for a known clot, bodywork must be light to moderate to avoid causing bruising and tissue bleeding. Obviously don’t work distal to or on top of the clot area. (Although plenty of clients with a clot will ask you to work there, because they are uncomfortable!).

 Dr. James also said, that apart from the anti-coagulant precautions, it is actually fine to do gentle massage Proximal to the clot without concern of dislodging clot.