what spa treatments are safe during pregnancy

Seven safe pregnancy spa treatments

1. Hot baths, steam rooms, saunas (traditional and infrared). Why? ...
2. Contrast hydrotherapy (alternating hot and cold pools or rooms). Constant temperatures are best.
3. Body wraps that cause perspiration and raise core body temperature.
4. Detoxifying body scrubs. ...
5. Essential oils (concentrated plant extracts) are verboten during the first trimester, according to Dr. ...

Full Answer

Is it safe for pregnant women to get massage?

You should talk to your doctor before getting any type of massage while pregnant, especially a foot massage. According to the American Pregnancy Association, prenatal massage is generally safe during all trimesters. But, many places will not accept a woman for massage until after her first trimester when the risk of miscarriage is typically less.

Is massage therapy safe for pregnant women?

While you definitely need to follow some basic safety guidelines, massages are considered safe for most women throughout their pregnancy. Studies show women who get pregnancy massages have decreased instances of depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain while also experiencing less painful and shorter labors (3).

What are pregnancy massage contraindications?

Pregnancy massage during the first trimester is contraindicated as the majority of miscarriages occur during the first trimester of pregnancy. Acupressure and Reflexology Acupressure and reflexology are the two types of massages that have been contraindicated on the pressure points associated with the ovaries and uterus.

Is acupuncture appropriate for pregnant women?

This shows that acupuncture could be useful during pregnancy as well as birth under the guidance of an expert acupuncturist. It is believed to help relieve early pregnancy symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, and heartburn (3), alleviate pains, aches, swelling, and constipation and may also help prepare the body for labor in the third trimester.

Body Treatments

Benefits: Body treatments are extremely relaxing, cleansing, and detoxifying for the skin. Think of a body treatment as a facial for your whole body! These treatments include exfoliation, which deep cleans and detoxifies the body with a moisturizing finish. A body treatment will make your skin look and feel great.

Massages

Benefits: A massage is a relaxing and refreshing way to escape the stresses of life, both mental and physical. Prenatal massages are adapted for the anatomical changes you go through during pregnancy and can help you reduce stress hormones in your body, loosen your muscles and increase blood flow.

Facials

Benefits: Facials are great for self care and can do wonders for your skin, from cleansing skin to promoting collagen production to exfoliating dead skin cells.

Manicures and Pedicures

Benefits: Getting your nails or toes done makes you look and feel pretty. When you’re bloated or uncomfortable, which can happen often during pregnancy, these services can really lift your spirits. They’re short and usually an inexpensive option.

What are the other safe spa treatments during pregnancy?

The following are generally considered safe (but advice should be sought from a trained and experienced practitioner first as individual circumstances may vary):

What is the common form of massage during pregnancy?

The common form of massage during pregnancy is similar to Swedish massage.

What is a Spa?

According to the International Spa Association (ISPA), “Spas are places devoted to overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body, and spirit.”

What is spa treatment?

Spa treatments, such as aromatherapy massages, have been used for the management of pain and psychological distress in the end-stage cancer patients as a part of palliative care. (Ref)

Why is it important to have an initial assessment with a spa practitioner?

It is important to have an initial assessment (with full medical history) with a Spa practitioner to discuss and explain different safe and suitable treatment options and frequency of visits.

How to build resilience during pregnancy?

One of the important steps towards building resilience and get relief from stress and other common pregnancy ailments could be adopting a suitable method of relaxation.

What are the symptoms of pregnancy?

Pregnant women often suffer from stress, anxiety, insomnia, and aches and pains.

How to massage a pregnant woman?

Prenatal massages make use of supportive body pillows and specially designed beds for baby bumps to best position a pregnant woman’s body. “Standard massages are usually done lying flat on your stomach or flat on your back,” Twogood says. “Prenatal massages are usually performed while the woman lies on her left side or on her back with an incline. These positions optimize blood flow back to the uterus and placenta.” If you have a high-risk pregnancy, hypertension, preeclampsia or some other condition, make sure you consult your ob-gyn before making an appointment.

Why do you get a massage while pregnant?

The perks: At the hands of a trained prenatal masseuse, getting a massage while pregnant can increase circulation (for you and baby!), ease swelling in your legs and feet, relieve back pain and headaches, improve digestion and even boost your mood.

What to do before waxing?

A day before your wax, prep your skin with a gentle exfoliant and moisturizer, which helps the wax peel off the skin more easily. And be ready with postwax soothers, like a simple cold compress, aloe vera gel or unrefined coconut oil, which can soothe any redness and inflammation.

Is sugar scrub good for pregnant women?

The precautions: Remember, skin tends to be sensitive when you’re pregnant. So choose gentler, more hydrating ingredients, such as sugar-based scrubs over salt-based ones, which tend to me more aggressive. And make sure that heat isn’t incorporated into any part of the treatment, and that any oils used on the skin are scent-free, Traboulay says. Certain pure essential oils—including sage, tarragon, wintergreen, rosemary and especially mugwort—can have a detoxing effect that can contribute to a miscarriage when placed directly on the body.

Can you wax your hair while pregnant?

Go for it! You might be discovering that your hair grows like crazy when you’re pregnant—everywhere (thanks, hormones). Luckily, waxing and threading are safe temporary solutions during pregnancy. While the permanent effects of laser hair removal may be tempting, Engelman suggests putting it off until after baby arrives. Hair can sprout up in unexpected places when you’re expecting, all those hormonal changes raging through your body can affect your response to treatment. “You’ll find that stunting or stopping the growth of hair is a waste of time, because it comes right back,” Engelman says.

Does pregnancy skin glow?

The perks: Some women’s skin light up in a pregnancy glow—others, not so much. When faced with common pregnancy problems like acne, dryness and redness, a calming, hydrating facial can be just the thing.

Can you use essential oils on your body after the first trimester?

If you’re into aromatherapy after the first trimester, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy recommends switching to inhalation therapy, as opposed to letting the oil penetrate your skin. Just make sure any essential oil you’re inhaling is heavily diluted (down to 1 percent or less) in a carrier oil such as coconut or sunflower oil. Last but not least: Avoid massage and reflexology on your hands and feet—both contain areas that, when manipulated, can induce labor.

Massages

What to Expect explains that massages should generally be AVOIDED in the first trimester of pregnancy, as they can make you nauseous and exacerbate symptoms of morning sickness.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that uses needles to prick the skin and tissue, which helps to alleviate pain as well as treat a variety of physical and mental health conditions.

Manicure & Pedicures

Manicures and pedicures are relatively safe in pregnancy. The Bump recommends that you choose a nail polish that’s free of the toxic chemicals dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. DBP has been linked to fetal health problems and reproductive issues, while formaldehyde can lead to respiratory issues and is carcinogenetic.

Facials

For the most part, receiving a facial in pregnancy is safe. Healthline explains that deep cleansing facials, oxygen facials, and hydrating facials should all be safe while expecting.

Hot Tubs & Saunas

In general, hot tubs and saunas are NOT recommended to use during pregnancy.

What to do if your face is sweating while pregnant?

Rule of thumb: If your face is sweating, the water is too hot. 6. Leg treatments. Fluid retention, especially in the legs, is one of pregnancy’s primary discomforts. So targeted “tired leg” massages address this condition, as well as achy legs and feet.

What is the best way to get rid of mottled skin during pregnancy?

Neck and shoulder massage is a safe sitting-up option, as well. 2. Facials. These can treat newly mottled skin and dehydrated or pimpled complexions and restore the promised pregnancy glow, says Dr. Evans. Barefoot and Pregnant’s founder, Stacy Denney, favors facials with gentle, all-natural skin-care products.

Can reflexology help with labor?

Reflexology. While the feet and hands do contain pressure points that can cause contractions and stimulate labor, a well-trained reflexologist can easily avoid them and instead focus on those that relieve heartburn and other pregnancy symptoms. “It’s simply not contraindicated across the board,” says Dr. Evans.

Does massage help with labor?

Research done by the Touch Institute in Miami confirms that prenatal massages relieve back pain and improve sleep and mood; and regular massage decreases stress (me asured by the amount of norepinephrine in urine ) and reduces labor complications.

Can you get a pregnancy spa?

Yes, You May. Seven pregnancy spa treatments that have the support of physicians. 1. Prenatal Massage. It’s perfectly safe—even in the first trimester—as long as it’s with a well-trained prenatal therapist and you’re having a normal pregnancy, says Dr. Evans.

Do spa treatments make your feet fat?

Frankly, it’s hard to imagine a more welcome time for any spa treatment than when your lower back and shoulders are aching from your newly recalibrated center of gravity, your feet feel fat as flippers, and your supposed pregnancy glow is mottled with new freckles.

Can you use essential oils in the first trimester?

5. Essential oils (concentrated plant extracts) are verboten during the first trimester, according to Dr. Evans. It’s safe to reintroduce rose, lavender, and chamomile during the second trimester, as long as they’re diluted with twice the amount of carrier oil. But peppermint, rosemary, sage, and jasmine shouldn’t be used at all, Dr. Evans explains, because they can trigger uterine contractions.