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Pregnancy and massages (e.g. which spa services to be avoided)
Pregnancy and spa services
Mothers-to-be should be more careful when using spas during their pre-natal period. That is because they are more exposed to certain physical complications while taking a massage or some of the other spa services (Jacuzzi, thermal and mineral springs, etc.). Here are some guidelines the pregnant women should follow.
Even in the first trimester, it is a must to warn the spa personnel about your pregnancy. This way, they will exclude from your spa programme any therapies that are not recommended to future moms – basically these are the treatments including high temperatures (sauna, steam bath, whirlpool, heat wrap, etc.) or the use of botanical products that can be harmful to your developing baby. It is also important to let your therapist know about your morning sicknesses, so that he could provide you a good ventilation in the treatment room and avoid spa products with strong scent, which might inadvertently cause your nausea.
During the second trimester, a mid-pregnancy facial will have beneficial effect on you, since many moms-to-be suffer from oily pores and hormonally driven acne breakouts. Facial treatments will remove impurities, unplug oily pores and leave your skin clear and smooth. Solarium is absolutely forbidden, because the heat can be potentially harmful to the fetus and moreover, it can promote appearing of pigmentation on the cheeks and forehead, which is the so-called “mask of pregnancy”.
In the third trimester of your pregnancy, treat well your increased in size belly. Use a moisturizing body scrub to get rid of the dead skin cells; otherwise it can latter provoke itchy effect on the skin and annoyance. At the same time, moisture will replenish the fluids that are being lost through the hormonal skin dehydratation. An ultra-soothing foot massage will help the moms-to-be a lot to relax and feel good.
Benefits of the mother massage
Normally, during pregnancy woman’s body undergoes some changes, many of them being uncomfortable and stressful. Thanks to the massage you can reduce stress and promote the general sense of well-being. Here are some important benefits of the massage to the expectant mothers.
- A massage improves local and overall blood circulation, which provides more oxygen and nutrients both to the cells of the mother and her growing baby. In result, the moms-to-be feel more vital and energetic.
- The massage induces circulation of the body fluids, helps mom’s cardiac activity and keeps her blood pressure relatively stable.
- A massage relieves muscular discomforts, such as leg cramps, a stiff neck, muscle tension and knots. It alleviates also backaches, as well as swollen ankles and feet. This way, it increases muscular flexibility, which can be very useful during the last trimester and the birth itself.
- It helps releasing nervous tension and relieving depression or anxiety caused by the hormonal changes moms-to-be are experiencing. Thus, moms can relax, and sleep more deeply and easily.
- Mothers can use a massage also during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable, but also after the birth, to help their body replenish its energy and strengthen more quickly.
A pregnancy massage differs from the traditional massage, since the therapist will take extra care to ensure your body gets the necessary comfort and support. When lying on your back, he/she will put pillows underneath your head or shoulders and between your knees; sometimes special bolsters are used as well. If you are far gone in pregnancy, you will need lying in a semi-reclining position and avoid lying flat on your back, because it may lead to extreme dizziness.
Massage for the future moms should promote relaxation and sooth nerves. That is why a deep tissue work, particularly on the legs, as well as abdominal kneading should be avoided. Women in pregnancy are highly prone to varicose veins and vigorous leg massage which can develop or dislodge blood cloths potentially leading to disability or death. Light massage is effective enough on the expectant moms, it will still help them fight with disorders, such as fluid retention, swollen ankles, leg cramps and other pregnancy-related ailments.
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