Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

[yunesa]

Hi there. Now that I'm actually certified in pregnancy massage, we're in discussions about how to proceed with pricing. My instructor said that typically, she charged a little more for prenatal massage than for "regular" massage, but added that "in this economy", we may not want to do that right now. That's kinda what I'm thinking.....

Also, we already price according to time, rather than modality/technique(s) used during the session. We tried to do "a la carte" pricing, but he just couldn't separate his business brain from his massage brain enough to keep track of what all he'd done, much less remember how to deal with the fees when the session was over. So we decided to just do pay-per-time, which so far is working out nicely.

So I'm thinking that this is how we should charge for my pregnancy massages, too. Because of the amount of time it takes to shuffle large pregnant bodies around, the instructor said it's best to schedule a minimum of 90 minutes for an hours' worth of actual work, and 2 hours for a "90 minute session". We allow 30 minutes between sessions for table changes, bathroom breaks, etc.. Which would mean 2 hours out of my schedule for a 90-minute, and 2.5 hours for a 2-hour session. So, should I charge for the full 90 minutes and 120 minutes, even though the client is going to be getting more of 60 and 90 minutes of actual "massaging" done? Or charge for 60 minutes and 90 minutes, even though by virtue of it being a pregnancy session, I'm going to have that extra half-hour of time eaten up?

Am I making any sense at all? It's early in my day, yet.....

 

[muberbacher]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I'm certified in prenatal massage as well. I'm not in favor of charging more for prenatal work... just doesn't feel right to me. Also, I'm not clear on why the extra half hour is needed... just for shuffling around a pregnant body? Sure the pregnant body moves slower, but not *that* much slower. I would treat a bathroom break for a pregnant client just like I would treat it for any client. I offer the bathroom immediately before the session and if they need to stop to use the bathroom, answer their phone, get a drink of water... that is all on the clock, so to speak. Am I missing something? Because I don't understand why the extra half hour is needed.

 

[Aidan]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I haven't found any reason for the extra half hour, either. It's not that big of a deal to get the positioning done once you have done it a few times. I would price the same as all other massage and time it the same, also.

 

[eastglam]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

At the spa where I work the prenatal massage is priced the same as swedish massage. We had toyed with the idea of raising the price $5 because of the fact that it does take us a little longer with the positioning and to move the extra bolsters & things needed. But we decided to leave the price alone because of the economic downturn.

 

[Mrs. C]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

Good things to know/consider. Thanks!

 

[February1]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I leave the price alone. I had a therapist who charged me more when I was pregnant than she'd charged me when I was not pregnant and I was quite put out. She said, "Because it takes more lotion and stuff".

Um ok? So what, you set your massage rates by the square inch? You weigh or measure your clients before they get on the table and if they have a waist line larger than X amount you charge them more too?

Why should I be discriminated against because I'm PREGNANT!? It's already harder to find comfortable shoes, clothes that fit, and a toilet near enough to the bed. Now I have to pay more for a massage just because my belly sticks out further than usual? Gee - thanks for the reminder. I REALLY appreciate you highlighting the growing size of my middle.

*rolls eyes*

Or so the mental, hormonally-driven rant went in my head the entire hour. :-D Ah, we hormonal females are a force to be reckoned with, I tell ya'. :-D

Angela

 

[AviaterSwitch]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I agree with keeping the price the same. AngEngland hit it right on the head. If you charge more for pregnant women do you also start charging more for the obese? The prices at my clinic are the same across the board for every modality. An hour is an hour.

 

[Baran]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

Where I work, we book based on time as well (unless it's for hot stone, but since we don't do them all the time there's a fair amount of set up/tear down time required). We charge the same for prenatals as we would other types of work. The only difference is that I'll tell the client that there will be some extra bolstering and repositioning so some transitions may not be as smooth, but I think that's pretty well understood.

I also agree, that as you get more comfortable with it, you'll get quicker. One option the way I was taught actually leads me to work the clients entire left side first (back, arm, hip and leg) then roll over to do the other side. My table reclines, so at the end I'll hit the feet a little more and finish up on neck/head etc. Working this way actually only "costs" me 1extra roll and rebolster.

 

[ce_fowler]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

Um ok? So what, you set your massage rates by the square inch? You weigh or measure your clients before they get on the table and if they have a waist line larger than X amount you charge them more too?

Why should I be discriminated against because I'm PREGNANT!? It's already harder to find comfortable shoes, clothes that fit, and a toilet near enough to the bed. Now I have to pay more for a massage just because my belly sticks out further than usual? Gee - thanks for the reminder. I REALLY appreciate you highlighting the growing size of my middle.

:biglaugh:

you SOOO totally nailed that!

and i'm in agreement with the consensus regarding charging extra and timing. i see no reason for adjusting either.

(and congrats on completing the cert!) :joyous:

 

[phatdog]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I charged more at my day spa, we had a separate pregnancy treatment. Special aromatherapy oil, pregnancy pillows, warm herbal packs for the low back, cooling foot gel, and 10 extra minutes of massage time. We also would book a pregnant client a 1 hour massage and just use the pillows for positioning. So, we gave a choice.

 

[ya_staff]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I charged more at my day spa, we had a separate pregnancy treatment. Special aromatherapy oil, pregnancy pillows, warm herbal packs for the low back, cooling foot gel, and 10 extra minutes of massage time. We also would book a pregnant client a 1 hour massage and just use the pillows for positioning. So, we gave a choice.

That's different though. If I were putting together a special "package" I would charge ANYONE more. AND if I had known going into the massage, when I called to book, that I was purchasing the "PRegnancy Pamper Special" for X amount, that would have been different too. What happened to me was that I called a therapist I had used once before, scheduled a regular massage, and found out AFTER arriving "Oh by the way - I do charge more for pregnancy massage though." LOL! Um, yeah, ok. Thanks for letting me know. Good thing I was writing you a check.

I chose to never go back.

Angela

 

[Bull dog]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I leave the price alone. I had a therapist who charged me more when I was pregnant than she'd charged me when I was not pregnant and I was quite put out. She said, "Because it takes more lotion and stuff".

Um ok? So what, you set your massage rates by the square inch? You weigh or measure your clients before they get on the table and if they have a waist line larger than X amount you charge them more too?

Why should I be discriminated against because I'm PREGNANT!? It's already harder to find comfortable shoes, clothes that fit, and a toilet near enough to the bed. Now I have to pay more for a massage just because my belly sticks out further than usual? Gee - thanks for the reminder. I REALLY appreciate you highlighting the growing size of my middle.

*rolls eyes*

Or so the mental, hormonally-driven rant went in my head the entire hour. :-D Ah, we hormonal females are a force to be reckoned with, I tell ya'. :-D

Angela

 

[very_bored]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

:biglaugh:

you SOOO totally nailed that!

and i'm in agreement with the consensus regarding charging extra and timing. i see no reason for adjusting either.

(and congrats on completing the cert!) :joyous:

Thanks. :mrgreen:

 

[Camellia A]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I charged more at my day spa, we had a separate pregnancy treatment. Special aromatherapy oil, pregnancy pillows, warm herbal packs for the low back, cooling foot gel, and 10 extra minutes of massage time. We also would book a pregnant client a 1 hour massage and just use the pillows for positioning. So, we gave a choice.

That may have been what the instructor was getting at- if we were doing "lotsa special stuff we don't normally do".

In our case, since we already don't charge extra for "stuff", it wouldn't be right for us to charge extra for prenatal. In fact, if I thought I could get away with it (have to run things by hubby too, lol!), I'd actually consider charging LESS for prenatal massage sessions than for "regular", because I know how stressful it is to worry about affording everything! Hmmmm, I might indeed run that by him. Maybe make it a sort of thing where "even if they get extra time, they only get charged so much". It's not like I'm *so* "in demand" anyway, at least at this point. Maybe that could help me get more ladies to practice on, for a while. Being "here" myself, right now, I don't think I WANT to get so booked I don't know what to do with myself. Then, what would I do if I had to quit sooner than expected?

(I think my trick is going to be to make sure that anyone I take on is due well BEFORE I am, so they're not depending on me "at the last minute", when *I* am ready to pop, myself!)

Man, I can't wait till those papers get here! I want that pretty new certification up on my wall!

 

[IceCreamFreak]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

Timedess, this is where I think a "series" of massages for a special price might be a big draw.
Many women will not get a massage during the first trimester. So, I assume that you would mostly be dealing with women who are 4 - 9 months pregnant.

I think it might be nice thing to get special cards made up. I think a "baby moon" package might be a really cool idea to offer. There are many different ways you could offer it.

Like once a month, the price is $___ but, if for some reason she would require a second massage in a month, she could get it for a special discounted price. This would help them be able to adapt better to the changes the body goes through as their pregnancy advances.

Or you could offer the series of prenatal massages at enough of a profit to your business, that you could afford to do a complimentary post-natal massage... thus planting the seed for "continued care."

You're pretty imaginative, I'm sure you'll come up with something awesome that any mother-to-be would be foolish to pass up!

 

[Daddy B]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

Timedess, this is where I think a "series" of massages for a special price might be a big draw.
Many women will not get a massage during the first trimester. So, I assume that you would mostly be dealing with women who are 4 - 9 months pregnant.

I think it might be nice thing to get special cards made up. I think a "baby moon" package might be a really cool idea to offer. There are many different ways you could offer it.

Like once a month, the price is $___ but, if for some reason she would require a second massage in a month, she could get it for a special discounted price. This would help them be able to adapt better to the changes the body goes through as their pregnancy advances.

Or you could offer the series of prenatal massages at enough of a profit to your business, that you could afford to do a complimentary post-natal massage... thus planting the seed for "continued care."

You're pretty imaginative, I'm sure you'll come up with something awesome that any mother-to-be would be foolish to pass up!

Oh, I *love* the idea of a "babymoon" package!

Ok, let me think a bit. (Will it help or hurt that I just woke up from a nap? LOL!) We already offer special package pricing for series of 2 and 4 sessions (we almost *never* sell the 2-packs, but DH has a whole lot of clients who regularly buy 4-packs for therapeutic work).

You are right in that I won't be seeing ladies in their first trimester (on purpose). I am thinking that maybe, after I have had lost of experience, I might consider taking first-trimester pregnancies on a case-by-case basis, but I'm not wanting to take on that risk this early on. Besides, if I were to have a client who lost a baby, during my own pregnancy, I don't honestly know how I would handle that, emotionally. Less risk of that past the 2nd trimester.

So, is a mom-to-be were to start seeing me during her 4th month, that would give us months 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and often 10 (hey- I am usually a 42-weeker myself!). Some moms might want to come in more often than once a month, especially toward the end.

I am thinking at the moment, that I might go with our normal 4-pack, at its regular price, but add-on a babymoon session for each 4-pack. Meaning, 5 for the package price of 4. If they ended up buying two or even three packages throughout their pregnancies, they could add up the babymoon sessions, to get 2 or 3 freebies, to be used after the baby's born. Of course, I'd have to keep track of that. My instructor said that you always hear "yes, I'll be back and show you the baby", and then they never do come back in after birth. So maybe the freebies might encourage them to actually COME back, when a new mom needs it most: nursing shoulder, baby's restless and Mom needs a de-stresser, or Mom's got other kids or work and just needs a BREAK. This could also flow nicely into infant massage, which I haven't taken yet, but would love to.

I actually really like the idea of a "babymoon special" better than lowering the price for the actual prenatal massages. That "value added" concept. Our regular package deals are a GREAT deal, and so far, DH's clients are *loving* them. The price for those should be quite adequate for most, even with the added strains of pregnancy costs to the budget.

I am also thinking of, for just the first month or two, offering my services at a reduced rate- a "guinea pig special", although I would of course NOT phrase it that way! Is that a good idea, or not? I would have to figure out when to end it, which could be challenging if I have someone coming who then wouldn't want to pay full price. Too much hassle, or would they see it like they did when our grand opening specials ended?

ETA: regarding the package specials, we offer them for both 60 and 90 minute sessions, so that should cover just about anyone. I can't see doing a prenatal 30-minute session. And I don't think *I* could DO a 2-hour session in my current condition. Any "babymoon freebies" would be based on the length of sessions purchased in the packages- a 90 minute for a package of 90-minute sessions, and a 60-minute for those. Right?

 

[Gary Y]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

Oh, I *love* the idea of a "babymoon" package!

I thought you might! :

So, is a mom-to-be were to start seeing me during her 4th month, that would give us months 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and often 10 (hey- I am usually a 42-weeker myself!). Some moms might want to come in more often than once a month, especially toward the end.

Yes, exactly my point.

I am thinking at the moment, that I might go with our normal 4-pack, at its regular price, but add-on a babymoon session for each 4-pack. Meaning, 5 for the package price of 4.

I actually really like the idea of a "babymoon special" better than lowering the price for the actual prenatal massages. That "value added" concept.

Yes, me too. I don't want to see you lowering your price too much. After all you want them to continue with you After the pregnancy is over and possibly even refer friends to you. I don't mind the whole 5 for the price of 4 deal. But I would make it a special package. I mean, I would create special printed material for it. Making it special for your Mom's to be. After all, the hubby, mom or other family members may give the "babymoon" as a gift too. I feel you need to really make it "special" and "pampering" for the new mom. You've been there before, but what if you get a woman who is experiencing her first pregnancy, and does not live close to her immediate family? You may be her "voice of experience" and an important part of her pregnancy support/ health care team.

I am also thinking of, for just the first month or two, offering my services at a reduced rate- a "guinea pig special", although I would of course NOT phrase it that way! Is that a good idea, or not? I would have to figure out when to end it, which could be challenging if I have someone coming who then wouldn't want to pay full price. Too much hassle, or would they see it like they did when our grand opening specials ended?

I wouldn't offer a reduced rate so much as possibly employ the "give to get" strategy right off the bat. Give 30 GCs to some of the OB/GYNs, midwives, doulas, and that sort of thing... wherever new mom's hang out! That way if they want an hour they can upgrade to a 60 or 90 min. session.

ETA: regarding the package specials, we offer them for both 60 and 90 minute sessions, so that should cover just about anyone. I can't see doing a prenatal 30-minute session.

Any "babymoon freebies" would be based on the length of sessions purchased in the packages- a 90 minute for a package of 90-minute sessions, and a 60-minute for those. Right?

Yup, that's what I'd say! The freebie is based on the length of the ones she bought. If she wants to upgrade from an hour to 90 minute on her last one... fine. She would however have to pay the difference I would think.

Rock it Renee, I know you can! :band:

 

[Pompal 09.]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

What about if they did one a month during month 4-9, they get a free 30 minute postpartum massage after the baby is born?

Angela

 

[Megan N]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

i like the idea of the package deals with post-partum work thrown in! i also agree that it would be advisable to have it specially packaged paperwise. if you have publisher you can just run it off the computer as needed rather than having to dump an investment in having a bunch printed by a printing/marketing company.

as for keeping track...i'm currently low-tech due to my one-man-show operation and slim finances. i make a note on my client folders in regards to my referrals from them--that might be an idea in terms of keeping track of post-partum 'freebies.'

i DO have a 'guinea pig special'--named as such even. it's literally listed as:

'Guinea Pig' Special
$20 off a 90-minute session the month following a Continuing Education class. Allow Jessica to 'try out' her new skills and still receive a 60-minute Swedish Massage.

(And when i first came into practice, after 14mo of not touching a body, I had a Hibernation Special for half-price for two-weeks only.)


some glorious brainstorming going on here!! what fun to see it unfold and grow!

 

[ncmitchell38]

Pricing Pregnancy Massage?

I would like to just throw in my vote for offering a post-natal massage. Post-natal massage is fantastic - especially for your breast feeding moms. Pre-natal massages are good, but they're just not the same as a regular massage. No matter how good the MT is at doing pre-natal work, the general aches and pains and discomforts of pregnancy will not go away - so I think the post-natal work will really be the work that lands you regular clients after their pregnancies!

Congrats on your new certification - I LOVE doing pre-natal massage!