Spabreaks.com's Pregnancy Spa Guide

When it comes to spa facilities, a rule of thumb for pregnant women is to avoid high temperatures whether you’re in your first trimester or your third, because your internal body temperature at that time is higher anyway and it’s not known to be entirely safe. Therefore, it’s not recommended that any woman spend time in saunas, steam rooms, a Jacuzzi or hot tub or any facility that’s very hot during pregnancy.

However, swimming pools and cooler facilities, as well as taking advantage of beautiful spa restaurants and relaxation areas, is a wonderful way to spend time when you are pregnant. Increasingly, spas have a wide variety of unique and relaxing experiences available to use that are also generally considered safe in pregnancy.

For example, the isopod flotation experience at Ockenden Manor is sleep inducing, utterly relaxing and allows you to, quite literally, float and feel weightless without the heat of a Jacuzzi or hot tub. Isopod floatation tanks are not specifically for women in pregnancy but they are perfect for helping to relieve prenatal aches and pains in a safe and gentle way.

Hot springs are less common in the UK than other parts of the world. Hot springs are natural spring water that are heated by the earth. On balance the same recommendation would apply to hot springs when you are pregnant as other thermal facilities - it’s best to avoid them if possible.

Again, because of the temperature, it's not recommended that you use a sauna during pregnancy. Saunas can be very relaxing at other times, but whether you're in your first, second or third trimester, for pregnant women a sauna can increase the chances of dehydration and dizziness, while the raised temperature is considered potentially hazardous. When you are pregnant, other options such as cooler pools are recommended instead.

As with all other heat based spa facilities, steam rooms are not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. The NHS says: "You may choose to avoid them because of the risks of overheating, dehydration and fainting" when you are pregnant. There are different types of steam room, often ranging in temperature, some of which are cooler than others, but the recommendation is not to raise your core temperature during pregnancy. If you have questions about using a steam room when pregnant it's best to speak to your doctor first.

When it comes to spa treatments during pregnancy, the rules do differ from spa to spa. Some won’t treat you at all in the first three months of pregnancy, while others will offer some treatments if their therapists are suitably qualified.

The first three months of pregnancy are universally known as the point where things are more delicate and there are a lot of changes going on in the body. That tends to be why the three month rule comes in. However, some people don’t actually know they’re pregnant at that point and of course others prefer not to divulge it. It is important that if you think you are pregnant, you tell your therapist before your treatment so that they can adapt it for you. They won’t take that information any further, but it’s essential that you have the right care.

Many spas offer tailored treatments and dedicated pregnancy treatments after the first trimester. For example, at luxury spa Pennyhill Park, they offer high-end facials, manicures and pedicures, but no massages or wraps in the first three months. After that they have a collection of pregnancy spa treatments and pregnancy massages. These are tailored to the individual to make sure you’re comfortable, to address specific pregnancy related stresses and strains, and to avoid particular movements, areas and oils.

The reason for choosing a dedicated pregnancy spa treatment is because it optimises the experience, making sure that they’re not only safe in pregnancy, but designed to help you feel your best. There are a number of treatments that are not specifically designed for mums-to-be, but which are recognised as safe and gentle.

If you cannot see a dedicated pregnancy spa treatment you want, speak to the team at Spabreaks.com or contact the spa itself before your visit. Most spas will try to make a pregnancy spa treatment as close as possible to anything else you may have been looking forward to. We all want you to have a nice time and feel like the best version of yourself after your spa experience, after all!

You absolutely can have massages during pregnancy, although usually not until after your first trimester. However, there are certain adaptations that need to be considered for your maximum comfort and benefit. Again this is the reason it’s often best to opt for a dedicated pregnancy treatment.

The reasons for adapting a treatment during pregnancy are mainly:

• Some products are not considered suitable during pregnancy
• Some movements or positions are not going to be comfortable as your pregnancy progresses
• Dedicated treatments have been designed to give you maximum benefit tailored to pregnancy

For example, therapists might use pregnancy support cushions during prenatal therapies that are specifically designed around your bump so that you’re comfortable during your treatment - especially in your third trimester. Always speak to your therapist before your treatment to make sure they know that you are pregnant, or if you are unsure in any way then speak to your doctor for advice in advance.

Standard manicures and pedicures are a wonderful way to enjoy a little pampering during pregnancy, and many pregnant women opt for a more luxurious version with added massage for hands and feet to help ease aches and pains. It’s generally considered that manicures and pedicures are safe during all phases of pregnancy from your first trimester to your third. However, there are some things to consider.

Some luxury manicures and pedicures may involve elements of reflexology or massage, so it’s still best to advise your therapist that you are pregnant before your treatment so that they can avoid any sensitive pressure points. The other thing to be aware of is that sometimes the fumes from nail polishes and products can make women feel nauseous during pregnancy, so be mindful and tell your therapist if you feel unwell to be safe.

Different people have different approaches, but the NCT advises that gel and acrylic nails are best avoided during pregnancy, whether you’re in your first trimester to your third.

In general, fake tan creams and lotions are considered to be safe during pregnancy.

However, there is no hard and fast evidence around the fumes from spray tans, so the NHS advises that they are best to be avoided. There are no known risks, and active ingredients in fake tans are not believed to be absorbed into the body beyond the skin. However, hormone changes may cause you to have an allergic reaction where you haven’t had them before.

The best advice is to read information provided by the NHS, speak to your doctor and make sure you’re fully informed so you can make a decision that you’re comfortable with. Either way, it’s always best to do a patch test before applying fake tan during pregnancy, even if you have used it before.

If you normally wax, it’s absolutely fine to keep doing so during pregnancy. Hormones can make hair grow quicker than normal, so this is helpful to know. The only thing to be aware of is that the extra blood flow during pregnancy can make skin more sensitive, so waxing might be more painful than you normally find it. As with tanning, make sure to do a patch test before use, as hormone changes may affect your reaction to the product.

As with other spa and beauty treatments, many women prefer to wait until after their first trimester before using any kind of brow or eyelash tint. The NHS advises that hair dyes are generally considered to be safe during pregnancy, but if you are concerned then speak to your doctor first so you can make a decision you are comfortable with. Many women prefer to switch to semi-permanent, pure vegetable dyes, such as henna to dye their hair during pregnancy, and as with other products, do a strand test on colours first because hormonal changes can impact how your hair reacts to products during pregnancy.