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Answers to Questions Commonly asked by Students Inquiring about Certification in Pre- & Perinatal Massage Therapy

The course is approximately 85% demonstration and hands-on practice, including a practicum on pregnant women, and 15% lecture and discussion.

32 instructional hours generally from from 9 a.m. for the first three days and 8:30 a.m. on the last day and runs until 6 p.m. on all four days.

Some classes meet Thursday through Sunday, and others are on weekdays.

Tuition: At most locations a $100 non-refundable registration deposit will hold your space. If registration is postmarked one month before the workshop start day, tuition discount usually applies. After that full tuition is due. Depending on location, costs range from $575-$795. Refunds for non-attendance are determined on a case-by-case basis, minus $100 non-refundable deposit.

Required text: Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy, 2nd Edition, by Carole Osborne. Order from sponsoring school or from Body Therapy Associates through our online bookstore that utilizes PayPal systems. If you prefer, you may call our San Diego Office at 858-277-8827 or if you are outside San Diego, call (800) 586-8322 (US) for credit card and payment -by -check orders.

Recommended educational prerequisite: 500 hours. You should be a practicing massage therapist with good anatomical knowledge and with skill and experience in Swedish massage and at least one of the following: deep tissue/myofascial release, structural balancing, trigger point/neuromuscular therapy, or passive movement. Advanced students of massage therapy, nurses, nurse-midwives, midwives, and other healthcare providers should contact instructor/Body Therapy Education for approval.

Upon registration you will receive a workshop overview schedule and suggested preparation including anatomy review. Advanced study of Carole's book, Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy, 2nd edition, focusing on the didactic material in chapters 1-7. After reading each chapter, complete the review questions at the end. (Answers are found online utilizing the code located on the book's inside front cover.) Attention: You will not have access to the online resources associated with the 2nd edition book if you buy an used copy or the 1st edition book. In addition, you will need to read any comprehensive childbirth of your choice.

At the class you will receive a student handbook with in-depth procedural instruction in techniques taught. Other materials are included featuring numerous pamphlets, marketing examples, and supplemental articles.

You will receive an exact list of materials after you register. Generally 4-6 pillows of varying sizes and densities are needed. Alternatively and highly recommended is the Side Lying Positioning System. Two to three sets of linens  and some locations may require those who are local and/or driving to bring their massage tables. You may want to bring your laptop or tablet so you can access ThePoint, supplemental material, technique videos and quizzes from Pre- & Perinatal Massage Therapy, 2nd edition.

Attendance and participation in 32 hours of class, 80% accuracy on the written test, and satisfactory performance on hands-on techniques. Students who do not qualify at the end of the workshop may do additional studies after the workshop to complete requirements. Upon completion (100% attendance; 80% on written exam; satisfactory hands on practicum session) you will receive a display quality, professional certificate and continuing education credits from the instructor's organization, Body Therapy Education, San Diego, California.

Carole Osborne, her workshops, and all of her primary instructors are approved the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider for 32 CEU’s. CE hours from the State of California Board of Registered Nursing, Doulas of North America (DONA), and for AMTA & ABMP members are available through Body Therapy Education/Carole Osborne. Carole Osborne is also authorized to provide CEUs to massage therapists licensed in the State of Florida. To receive continuing education credits students must have attended all 32 hours, scored at least 80% on written exam, and performed satisfactorily during their hands on practicum session.

The course developer, Carole Osborne, teaches many workshops. She has also trained four outstanding instructors, Liz Ellis, Michele Kolakowski, Linda Hickey and Jennifer Hicks, who also teach in some locations. Please see detailed biographical data in other areas about each. One or several experienced teaching assistants work with Carole, Linda, or Liz as enrollment grows. Generally a 12:1 student/teacher ratio is maintained, and often lower.

Each course differs in curriculum, length, completion requirements, and methods of learning.

The four-day Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy Course is a comprehensive, hands-on training in massage therapy for pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. About 80% of the course is technique focused, and it includes a practicum with pregnant women. Those who attend all 32 hours and who achieve an 80% on written exam and a satisfactory evaluation of their hands-on work receive certification and continuing education credit.

The two-day Prenatal Massage Therapy Techniques: Basic Strokes for Pregnant Folks will prepare you for clients who want to enhance their normal, low-risk pregnancies through therapeutic massage. Learn  two complete prenatal massage therapy routines utilizing deep tissue, rhythmic movement, Swedish massage, and other therapeutic methods. You will learn to maximize the benefits of side lying and semi-reclined positions to assure safe and comfortable positioning. It does not include labor or postpartum work, high risk or complicated pregnancies, nor is it a certification course. Those who participate in all 14 hours receive verification of attendance and continuing education credit.

The one-day Safety Essentials of Prenatal Massage teaches normal prenatal physiological adaptations and their implications for safe, basic prenatal massage, including positioning, contraindications, and precautions. It is primarily a lecture and discussion class, with a small segment of hands-on work. It does not include labor or postpartum work, high risk or complicated pregnancies, nor is it a certification course. Those who participate in all seven hours receive verification of attendance and continuing education credit.

The two-day Prenatal Spa Massage: An Introductory Workshop covers similar material as the Safety Essentials; however, this course is about 40% hands-on. In those hands-on practice segments, you will learn to adapt your own protocols and techniques for pregnancy’s normal demands. Great way to give your employees the confidence and safety information to work with expecting women. It does not include labor or postpartum work, high risk or complicated pregnancies, nor is it a certification course. Those who participate in all 14 hours receive verification of attendance and continuing education credit.

Distance learning courses offer these advantages: convenience and flexibility in time and location, cost effectiveness and repetition. They do not provide the individual instruction and rich kinesthetic learning of hands-on instruction.

The Pregnancy Massage 101 Webinar Series provides engaging visual and auditory instruction covering similar material as the Safety Essentials courses.

These courses do not convey certification.