Spa Treatments for Pregnant Women | Essential Guide

Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience as you grow and bond with your baby, but it certainly doesn’t come without its challenges. Sometimes, pregnancy is very hard and having time to treat yourself and feel supported can make a world of difference. Pregnancy-friendly spa treatments or a spa day are a perfect opportunity to do just that! This article outlines what spas and spa treatments are suited for relieving stress for pregnant women without causing any risks to the foetus. 

Read on to find out what treatments are best during pregnancy and their benefits, depending on your symptoms. 

What are some spa treatments for pregnant women?

Every woman will have a different experience of pregnancy. The best tip for any of these options is to visit a spa with a dedicated area on its website for ‘mum to be’ or pregnancy treatments. This means they will know what is safe and also what is most effective at improving your emotional well-being. 

These suggestions will outline why they are beneficial for common symptoms, so you can pick and choose what applies to you: 

Massages 

Given the significant physical changes pregnancy brings, a massage is an excellent pregnancy-friendly spa option.

Your back, hips and feet, in particular, can experience strain due to altered weight distribution and the added weight of your baby. Additionally, a more sedentary lifestyle, which is often necessary during pregnancy, can lead to weaker muscles and poorer circulation. Massages are ideal for addressing these issues by relieving muscle tension and improving blood flow throughout the body. 

Skincare treatments 

Facials 

Facials are a great way to feel pampered and special during pregnancy. As your skin can become more sensitive, always inform your clinician of any specific sensitivities. Clinicians trained in pregnancy spa treatments will avoid harsh chemicals, ensuring your skin remains healthy and your baby stays safe.

Body Care

It’s natural to gain weight during pregnancy to support your growing baby, and you may experience tighter skin around your womb, both of which can increase the likelihood of stretch marks. Body treatments can rehydrate your skin and help reduce the appearance of these marks.

Activities

For those with a slightly more sedentary lifestyle, gentle activity can be incredibly beneficial. While not a traditional spa treatment, many find light exercise relaxing, and it is scientifically proven to boost both mental and physical health.

Water exercise is an excellent choice as it reduces the feeling of being weighed down. Some clinicians stress the importance of warm water to avoid shocking your system with extreme temperatures.

Meditation 

Meditation is a surprisingly powerful tool for improving mental health and forming a stronger connection with your body. It can significantly reduce anxiety and depression and is even used in some pain management treatments.

When can you not do spa treatments?

Some spas may have rules on when you should or shouldn’t join specific spa treatments. For example, some exercise or yoga classes may suggest you wait until slightly later in your pregnancy to join, as an earlier pregnancy bring some additional risks. 

Similarly, some doctors suggest you do not indulge in spa treatments with excessive heat, like saunas or steam rooms. This has been linked to pregnancy complications. 

However, spas specialising in pregnancy treatments will be prepared to talk you through what they believe would be the best treatment for you. Obviously, some women may have symptoms that are more severe than others – after all, every individual is unique! For example, those with more muscle pain will benefit the most from massages, while people who have been experiencing anxiety may benefit most from meditation. 

If you are unsure if a treatment is suitable, ask the staff and your prenatal doctor for advice. It will depend on you as an individual (though there are some general safety rules). 

Why you should indulge in spa treatments

Pregnancy can be a very demanding time, and you deserve to treat yourself. Remember, when you feel good, your baby benefits too.