During pregnancy, sensations of heavy legs, water retention and swelling are common. Lymphatic drainage is often recommended to alleviate these discomforts. But is this technique safe for pregnant women? And does it deliver genuine benefits? Discover here whether lymphatic drainage can be considered during pregnancy.
Lymphatic drainage and pregnancy: what are the benefits?
Summary
Published on October 7, 2025, updated on October 7, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading
Themes:
Key points to remember.
Lymphatic drainage is generally not recommended during the first and last months of pregnancy.
Lymphatic drainage may be beneficial for relieving heavy legs and oedema during pregnancy.
Lymphatic drainage may also contribute to limiting the development of varicose veins and alleviating the effects of cellulite during pregnancy.
Manual lymphatic drainage must be strictly performed by a qualified professional and tailored for pregnant women.
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Is lymphatic drainage suitable for pregnant women?
The lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique intended to stimulate lymph circulation, the colourless fluid that runs alongside the blood and whose role is to remove waste products, toxins and excess fluids from the body. With slow, gentle movements performed along the lymphatic pathways, it helps to decongest the tissues and alleviate sensations of swelling. However, during pregnancy, the body undergoes significant physiological changes. It is therefore natural to question whether pregnant women can undergo lymphatic drainage.
Lymphatic drainage massage can be performed during pregnancy, but certain precautions are necessary.
In general, it is recommended to avoid this type of massage during the first and last months of pregnancy. During the first month, the embryo is at the very start of its developmental phase, and any inappropriate manipulation could potentially disrupt this delicate process. In the final month, concerns mainly relate to the premature onset of labour: certain manoeuvres, particularly around the abdomen, could trigger uterine contractions. Outside these periods, when performed by a practitioner trained and specialised in prenatal massage, lymphatic drainage can prove beneficial and contribute to the well-being of the expectant mother.
Is it beneficial to receive lymphatic drainage massage during pregnancy?
When properly performed, lymphatic drainage during pregnancy can be particularly valuable, owing to the physiological changes that occur at this stage. The increase in blood volume and fluid retention may lead to swelling in pregnant women, particularly in the legs and ankles. By promoting lymphatic flow, lymphatic massage supports the elimination of excess fluid, thus reducing sensations of heaviness and oedema.
The draining massage during pregnancy can also help to limit the onset or worsening of varicose veins, a concern commonly observed in pregnant women. By enhancing venous return and blood flow, it reduces pressure in the superficial veins and helps to prevent vessel dilation, whilst relieving heavy legs. Similarly, by stimulating circulation and tissue drainage, the lymphatic drainage can help to reduce the appearance of aqueous cellulite, which is linked to fluid retention.
In addition to its decongestive action, lymphatic drainage massage can improve the overall comfort and quality of life of pregnant women. By stimulating circulation, it contributes to enhanced tissue oxygenation and reduces muscular tension, often localised in the lower back, legs and hips – areas under particular strain during pregnancy. The massage also produces a relaxing, soothing effect, which can help alleviate the stress and anxiety frequently experienced by expectant mothers.
What do scientific studies reveal about the benefits of lymphatic drainage during pregnancy?
Several studies confirm the benefits of lymphatic drainage during pregnancy. A Brazilian study evaluated the effect of manual lymphatic drainage on pain caused by lower-limb oedema in 28 pregnant women, allocated into four groups according to their trimester (second or third) and whether they underwent sessions of manual lymphatic drainage or not. Pain was self-assessed by participants on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (maximum pain). The results show that, in the experimental group, average pain scores were significantly lower than those in the control group.
| Group | Pain assessment before lymphatic drainage sessions | Pain assessment after lymphatic drainage sessions | Variation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second trimester of pregnancy with lymphatic drainage | 6.5 | 3 | - 3.5 |
| Second trimester of pregnancy without lymphatic drainage | 6.7 | 8 | + 1.3 |
| Third trimester of pregnancy with lymphatic drainage | 7 | 5 | - 2 |
| Third trimester of pregnancy without lymphatic drainage | 6.8 | 7.8 | + 1 |
Evolution of oedema-induced pain in pregnant women undergoing manual lymphatic drainage.
Source: BARBORATI I. N. & al. Does lymphatic drainage reduce pain during pregnancy? Brazilian Journal of Development (2020).
Lymphatic drainage therefore appears to have diminished the pain associated with leg oedema in pregnant women, most likely by reducing the oedema itself, although the study does not explicitly state this.
Another study assessed the efficacy of manual lymphatic drainage on lower-limb oedema in pregnant women. Fifteen participants between the fifth and eighth months of gestation were included. Each woman received a one-hour session of leg drainage massage. Oedema was evaluated using water-displacement volumetry, comparing measurements taken in the morning and in the afternoon over two days: one day with lymphatic drainage and one day without. The results, presented in the table below, show a clear difference between days with and without drainage. Lymphatic drainage thus appears to have reduced fluid accumulation in the legs throughout the day.
| Day | Average morning volume (g) | Average afternoon volume (g) | Variation (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Without lymphatic drainage | 2 849.1 | 2 889.1 | + 40.0 |
| With lymphatic drainage | 2 856.4 | 2 812.0 | - 44.4 |
Effect of manual lymphatic drainage on leg volume in pregnant women.
Source: DE FATIMA GUERREIRO GODOY M. & al. Lymph drainage in pregnant women. Nursing Research and Practice (2013).
This study confirms the efficacy of lymphatic drainage in reducing leg oedema during pregnancy.
Sources
DE FATIMA GUERREIRO GODOY M. & al. Lymph drainage in pregnant women. Nursing Research and Practice (2013).
BAMIGBOYE A. A. & al. Interventions for varicose veins and leg oedema in pregnancy (Review). The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015).
SZYGULA Z. & al. Lower-limb oedema during pregnancy. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine (2016).
BARBORATI I. N. & al. Does lymphatic drainage reduce pain during pregnancy? Brazilian Journal of Development (2020).
ROMERO-MORALES C. & al. Effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage vs. perineal massage in secundigravida women with gestational oedema: A randomised clinical trial. International Wound Journal (2020).
