Pregnancy and Medical Spas – The Best Treatments

Pregnancy is the perfect time to relax and unwind, and many moms-to-be take advantage of this special time in their lives to treat themselves to luxury. But while the temptation may be to indulge as much as possible with massages, facials, and other spa treatments, be sure to choose only those that are especially recommended for pregnant women.

Your skin may be much more sensitive during pregnancy, and you may also be more sensitive to pain. Waxing your legs, for example, might sound like a great idea, but it turns out to be excruciatingly painful, even though it’s been relatively painless the last 10 times you’ve done it.

The vast majority of pregnant women experience pregnancy-related physical discomforts such as back pain, muscle tension, swelling, and even foot cramps. While there are numerous medical spa treatments that can alleviate such issues, some are not recommended for moms-to-be and can even be downright dangerous for the fetus.

If you feel like you could benefit from a little pampering during your pregnancy, don’t leave your health and that of your baby to chance. While the vast majority of med spas are aware of what is safe for moms-to-be, not all are. Remember, when it comes to brass tacks, the onus is on you to play it safe.

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Here is a list of suitable treatments for pregnant women:

* Facials. Facials that are not too invasive or do not use harsh chemicals or peels are considered safe. Try an Elemis Spa facial or one of your favorite skin care specialists like Decleor or Clarins. Products that are natural and organic without harsh chemicals are best if you are pregnant.

* Massages. Most massages are good for pregnancy, although some women may find lying on their backs too uncomfortable. See if you can find a medical spa that has a special massage table that has a bump cut out to fit your own bump! Keep in mind, however, that some massage oils are not recommended for use during pregnancy, including juniper, clary sage, and even, surprisingly, peppermint.

* Hair removal with waxing. You may find this more painful than normal as most women have a heightened sensitivity to pain when pregnant (see below). But waxing your legs, waxing your underarms, and even getting rid of that ruffled bikini line is considered acceptable during pregnancy. You wouldn’t want your OB to see you with hairy legs, would you? And try doing it yourself in your eighth month…

* Pedicure or manicure. A basic manicure or pedicure is fine. Some people, however, believe that having artificial nails or extensions can be dangerous to the fetus due to the chemicals used.

* Reflexology. This form of foot massage can be very soothing for some women, but it is important to tell your reflexologist that you are pregnant. The general rule is not to receive treatments during the first trimester, or if you have placenta previa (low-lying placenta) or hydroaminos, or excess amniotic fluid after 32 weeks gestation. It is also not good for women at risk of deep vein thrombosis or preeclampsia, or those who have had preterm labor.

* Acupuncture. This ancient art of the needle is widely used to treat morning sickness and make expectant mothers more comfortable in general. It is considered safe during all three trimesters, but you should tell your acupuncturist that she is pregnant anyway. Some acupuncturists like to wait beyond the first six weeks.

Staying away

These are the treatments NOT suitable for pregnant women:

* Hair removal with bleaches or other types of depilatory creams. It is not recommended as the chemicals can be absorbed into your body.

* Electrolysis. While most professionals agree that it is safe to perform this hair removal procedure on the face during pregnancy, avoid doing it on the body, and especially the nipple area during the last few weeks! Remember, too, that you may have excessive hair growth during pregnancy that will go away once the baby is born.

* Chemical peels and dermabrasion. It is assumed that the strong chemicals used can enter the bloodstream and cause harm to the fetus.

* Application of teeth whitening/permanent makeup. No one knows if these are completely safe or not as not enough research has been done so it is best to avoid them.

* Saunas, steam baths and very hot jacuzzis. Stay out of the heat when pregnant: These types of spa treatments may sound appealing, but are believed to be potentially harmful to an unborn child, as they can raise your body temperature to dangerously high levels. The same goes for wraps of hot mud or seaweed, etc.

* Treatments that involve any type of injections, such as dermal fillers, etc. This is dangerous as there is a chance that the substance could reach and harm the fetus.

* Laser treatments. Stay away from lasers during pregnancy, just in case. Most spas that offer laser therapy of any kind don’t accept pregnant women anyway.

* Tanning beds. Apart from the risk of overheating; a melanoma can spread to the placenta and thus affect your unborn child.

* Get tattooed. As your skin will change during pregnancy, once you have given birth, you may not recognize the tattoo you got during pregnancy! Also, the risk of unsterilized needles makes this a no-no.

* Hair dyes or chemical straightening techniques, etc. It is better to wait until after you have given birth.

Tips

* Please note that your skin may be much more sensitive during pregnancy and you may also be more sensitive to pain. Waxing your legs, for example, might sound like a great idea, but it turns out to be excruciatingly painful, even though it’s been relatively painless the last 10 times you’ve done it.

* Many spas choose to play it safe when serving pregnant women. Some suggest that women receive no treatment until they are at least 12 weeks pregnant, and others restrict treatment to women who are more than 32 weeks pregnant. If you need a little pampering in your first trimester, opt for a manicure or simple facial and get a massage later.

* If it is not obvious that you are pregnant, please inform your doctor, instructor or beauty therapist. It is better for them to decide what is safe for you, since they know everything that is involved in a specific treatment or procedure.

Being pregnant is a great time to focus on yourself and your changing body. It’s also a great time to indulge in relaxing treatments, especially since you won’t have time to take advantage of a quiet, peaceful spa once little Junior makes his entrance into the world, kicking and screaming like crazy. So enjoy it while you can, but play it safe!