A health spa Another thing that you should add to your to-do-list is a weekend at a health spa. Would your mum's day off stretch to a mum's weekend off? You'll have to ask your hubby! One thing's for sure, pregnancy brings with it a lot of unexpected discomforts, like aches and pains and of course stretch marks. A bit of pampering at a spa is just what your body needs before the baby arrives. Here are some treatments to consider:
Prenatal massage: This is a massage that's specially tailored to the needs of pregnancy. It can be really uncomfortable for pregnant women to lie flat on their backs (and, for obvious reasons, they can't lie on their fronts either) so a really good prenatal massage uses a special massage table with cushioned parts and hollowed out areas to accommodate certain body parts. Pregnancy causes the body to shift its center of gravity, putting more strain on body parts like your lower back, neck and shoulders. So, there's a good chance that a massage will ease the tension in these areas.
Facial: As those of you who have been pregnant will know, hormones can cause the odd bit of acne and this can be a real pain to get rid of. To get your skin in top condition before the birth, book yourself a good cleansing and moisturising treatment. Skin can be a little bit more sensitive during pregnancy so be sure to ask for something gentle using mild products only.
Manicure and pedicure: Probably the first thing that a busy mom puts on the back-burner is her nails. And let’s face it, once the baby arrives there's going to be no time for visiting the nail salon! So, getting a good nail treatment, buff and polish on my hands and feet should be at the top of your wish list. Just a quick note for those of you considering a spa day during pregnancy. Do check beforehand that all of your chosen treatments are suitable for mothers-to-be. Saunas, steam rooms, tanning beds and hot tubs are all thought to be unsuitable for expectant mothers because the added heat can pose a risk to your developing baby. So do be careful. Stick to the pampering treatments that are tailored to pregnancy and you'll be fine.
