Pregnancy is a beautiful and life-changing experience… but it can also be an extremely uncomfortable one. Morning sickness, weird food cravings, swollen ankles, constant bathroom visits, the list goes on and on. Never in your life have you been more in need of a spa break.
Luckily, most spas now offer a range of treatments that have been specially formulated for pregnant women, while popular brands such as Mamma Mio cater exclusively to the needs of expectant mothers during pregnancy.
The best time to visit a spa is when you’re between 12 and 32 weeks pregnant, as you will be over the risky early stages, and unlikely to go into labour on the sun lounger. Always let the spa know that you are pregnant, even if you haven’t yet reached the end of your first trimester. This will allow them to advise you on the most relevant treatments and prepare for any special health requirements or dietary needs so that you can get the most from your stay.
Then all that’s left for you to do is turn up, relax and allow yourself to be pampered with one (or more!) of these bump-friendly spa treatments.
The main difference between this and a standard massage is that you usually lie on your back, rather than on your tummy (although, having said that, some spas now have special massage tables which allow you to comfortably lie whichever way you please).
This massage will be much more gentle than usual, and will focus on gentle relaxation rather than in-depth tension relieving. Rather than using heady aromatherapy oils, many spas will opt to use unscented lotions and organic products instead.
A half-hearted foot rub from your partner has nothing on a proper spa foot treatment. During pregnancy, your feet ache and swell, but it is nothing that a professional massage can’t sort out.
A good foot treatment will help drain the excess fluid from your ankles and feet, soothe aching muscles, and improve your circulation. For some extra indulgence, why not finish off with a slick of brightly coloured polish?
While expectant mothers should avoid hot tubs, Jacuzzis and steam rooms because of the heat, you can still get your aqua fix with a little bit of hydrotherapy.
Enjoy a few gentle laps of the spa’s pool or simply float on your back and let the water support your bump. Some spas offer aqua aerobics classes, which are perfect for pregnant women who want some light exercise.
We’ve created a super-easy Find a Spa search tool – just use the filter option under ‘Perfect For’ to select ‘During Pregnancy’ and you’ll be able to instantly see all UK spas that we recommend to use while you’re pregnant.
Stobo Castle
Rockliffe Hall Spa
Nirvana Spa
