Pregnancy is a great time to be pampered. You deserve it more than you do usually. You need it more than you do usually. And people are more likely to buy you spa-related treats than they do usually.
These days, most spas are clued up and offer treatments specifically for pregnant women, and these get more imaginative all the time. But you have to be careful. Some products, treatments and techniques are not recommended for you and your baby, and you need to be confident about what you're having. Here are designed to tell you all you need to know for worry-free relaxation during pregnancy, with pregnancy-specific information on all things spa.
Always make sure your therapist knows you're pregnant. Even if you've filled in your health form correctly, it's always worth double checking that your therapist has looked at it and is tailoring your treatment accordingly.
Choose a spa and therapist you trust if you can, preferably one that comes with a recommendation. However, you'll still need to bear a few things in mind when visiting a spa during pregnancy.
Pregnancy spa dos and don'ts DOs...
DO avoid body treatments in the first three months of your pregnancy, just to be on the safe side.
DO make sure you have one, two, three of them after that...! Don't let the months fly by without getting something to suit you. The difficulties in feeling yummy increase with the size of your tummy, so take your opportunities where you can.
DO choose the brand carefully. Opt for products that don't contain parabens and other additives; choose organic, natural products that are safe for pregnant women.
DO consider foot treatments -- pedicures, foot massages or foot baths. These treatments come into their own when you're pregnant as it's so tough to get down there yourself. Your feet and legs often feel tired and heavy, too, and may be swollen. A foot massage will get your circulation going and help reduce the swelling, aches, pains and give any rough skin or hang-nails the brush off.
DO try pregnancy massage after the first trimester, even if you're feeling self-conscious or awkward, or can't imagine how it's going to be comfortable. You may be surprised. From beanbags to tummy hammocks, spas have come up with all sorts of ways that you can feel comfortable and leave feeling relaxed, comfortable and soothed.
DO get cosy in an electric blanket for your treatment. There's nothing like slipping into a nice warm bed for a facial to send you off to sleep, and you don't need to ask your therapist to turn it off due to pregnancy. You may worry about this, as increasing your body temperature during pregnancy can raise the risk of miscarriage or neural tube defects. However, using an electric blanket probably doesn't do this enough to cause problems for your baby. If you feel uncomfortable, though, make sure you ask your therapist to turn the blanket off.
But, DO steer clear of electric blankets in the later stages of pregnancy in case your waters break.
DO join in with exercise classes during your spa visit. Make sure you check with the instructor whether the class is suitable for pregnant women. Some won't be, but others -- such as yoga -- can be tailored to your needs.
DO use the spa's swimming pool. Swimming is an ideal exercise for pregnancy, and pools at spas tend to be much more peaceful than your local swimming complex. So, don't forget your maternity swimming costume!
DON'Ts
DON'T (particularly in the first three months) have any massage or facial, or use any products featuring any of these oils: cedarwood, camomile, clary sage, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, juniper, lavender, myrrh, peppermint, rosemary.
DON'T overdo it in the gym. There's no reason why you can't continue to use gyms when visiting spas during a normal, low-risk pregnancy, but vigorously working out is probably not the best idea. Choose gentle machines such as the cross trainer or exercise bike, and stop if you feel unwell, dizzy, or get too hot.
Exercise to moderate intensity only.
DON'T have any non-pregnancy-approved body treatments if you are, or think you might be, pregnant. Some essential oils, chemicals, ingredients, techniques and treatments could be harmful to you or your baby, so make sure you get good advice.
DON'T have a heat treatment, or go in the Jacuzzi or any hot pools. The same goes for hammams, rasuls and serails. Getting hot can affect the way blood circulates around your body, which may cause problems for your growing baby.
Normal baths are fine. If you want to have a bath at a spa to wash off products after a treatment, or fancy a relaxing soak in your room during your stay at a residential spa, go ahead. Just make sure that the water's not so hot that it makes you sweat and your skin go red. Check labels on bath products for any warnings against use in pregnancy.
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