WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A MATERNITY VISIT
CORTE MADERA, Calif. – As maternity wellness grows in popularity, many spas are now offering pregnancy spa services. Barefoot & Pregnant, the first and most well-respected pregnancy spa nationwide, outlines important questions that should be asked before booking an appointment, what to expect during the visit and what to avoid.
What to ask the spa before booking and appointment
Does the massage therapist have a specialty certification in prenatal?
Massage therapists working with pregnant clients should have special training in the physiological adaptations of pregnancy and how this affects their treatment plan. Most therapists get some prenatal training during their initial training program but it’s important to receive additional training. There are many programs that offer specific certifications in prenatal, but we recommend at least a 3-day training in the last five years.
How often does the therapist perform prenatal massage?
Even with prenatal training, some spas/therapists may only get a handful or less of prenatal clients. If a therapist hasn’t received special training in more than three years, and/or hasn’t practiced prenatal massage regularly, they may need new certification. Be sure to ask when they were certified and how often the therapist works with prenatal clients.
Should my esthetician (facialist) be specialty certified?
Currently, there are no specialty prenatal programs for estheticians that we know of (aside from the training that Barefoot & Pregnant provides for its own therapists). However, be sure to ask about the therapist’s experience with prenatal clients as pregnancy impacts positioning, pregnancy facial treatments (such as waxing) and products.
What type of massage bed or positioning is used?
A prenatal massage is best in a side-lying or semi-reclining position. Past the first trimester, lying on the pregnant belly (prone) isn’t recommended. Some women may lie on their belly at home within their own comfort level but, when there is pressure applied to the back while in this position during a massage, there is increased strain on pelvic joints and the ligaments supporting the uterus. If you are working with an experienced, trained therapist your side-lying or semi-reclining experience should be comparable to – or even better than – a prone position. Many clients continue to receive side-lying massages well after the birth of their baby!
During the prenatal spa visit:
Talk to your therapist about your specific needs or issues.
The spa should take a thorough history for each prenatal client. Information gathered should include how pregnant you are, any allergies, sensitivities, physical discomforts or complications. Beyond this, the therapist or esthetician should ask questions that address your pregnancy such as your specific issues, needs and expectations.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up!
When visiting a spa, some clients are uncomfortable voicing their needs. It’s important to keep in mind that the visit is all about you! Don’t be afraid to speak up if you are not comfortable. Everyone woman’s experience is different. If you are experiencing a normal pregnancy, the best guideline is to listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel comfortable, don’t do it, if it does feel comfortable, enjoy!
Services to avoid:
Facial Peels and Microdermabrasion
Facials feel great and can only enhance the glow of pregnancy. However, many women are affected by skin sensitivity and hyper-pigmentation during pregnancy so facial peels and microdermabrasion are not recommended. Facials designed to treat these conditions should be part of the spa menu and products used should support these changes.
Wraps
Wraps constrict movement and a client may get too warm. If mom gets too warm, blood vessels dilate to bring more blood to the skin surface for cooling. This could make mom lightheaded and uncomfortable.
Essential oils
It is suggested that pregnant women use essential oils derived from flowers rather than herbs during pregnancy, and that “calming” oils such as lavender are preferable to “stimulating” oils such as camphor.
Spas that require a doctor’s note (unless you’ve experienced complications)
If a spa requires a doctor’s note before treatment, it may show lack of experience or confidence in offerings. As far as treatments go, very few are contraindicated as long as you’re working with a trained, experienced therapist. Unfortunately we are still victims of the myth that pregnancy is a “delicate condition” and the resulting fear surrounding this myth.
Spas that won’t see you in the first trimester
If a spa isn’t comfortable seeing you in the first trimester, they may not have the proper training and experience with prenatal clients.
**Women that are experiencing high-risk pregnancies should consult with their obstetrician before considering spa services.**
Award-winning Barefoot & Pregnant, the first and most respected maternity spa program in the U.S., has always been about community – a trusting environment where expecting moms can kick off their shoes and relax. By offering everything from babymoon packages and world-class spa services to online social networking, information and tools, Barefoot & Pregnant strives to be the preeminent maternity resource. Barefoot & Pregnant maternity spas locations include Casa Madrona Hotel in Sausalito, Calif., Hotel Los Gatos & Spa in Los Gatos, Calif. and Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg, Calif. Consumers seeking more general Barefoot & Pregnant information can call
(415) 388-1777.
What to ask the spa before booking and appointment
Does the massage therapist have a specialty certification in prenatal?
Massage therapists working with pregnant clients should have special training in the physiological adaptations of pregnancy and how this affects their treatment plan. Most therapists get some prenatal training during their initial training program but it’s important to receive additional training. There are many programs that offer specific certifications in prenatal, but we recommend at least a 3-day training in the last five years.
How often does the therapist perform prenatal massage?
Even with prenatal training, some spas/therapists may only get a handful or less of prenatal clients. If a therapist hasn’t received special training in more than three years, and/or hasn’t practiced prenatal massage regularly, they may need new certification. Be sure to ask when they were certified and how often the therapist works with prenatal clients.
Should my esthetician (facialist) be specialty certified?
Currently, there are no specialty prenatal programs for estheticians that we know of (aside from the training that Barefoot & Pregnant provides for its own therapists). However, be sure to ask about the therapist’s experience with prenatal clients as pregnancy impacts positioning, pregnancy facial treatments (such as waxing) and products.
What type of massage bed or positioning is used?
A prenatal massage is best in a side-lying or semi-reclining position. Past the first trimester, lying on the pregnant belly (prone) isn’t recommended. Some women may lie on their belly at home within their own comfort level but, when there is pressure applied to the back while in this position during a massage, there is increased strain on pelvic joints and the ligaments supporting the uterus. If you are working with an experienced, trained therapist your side-lying or semi-reclining experience should be comparable to – or even better than – a prone position. Many clients continue to receive side-lying massages well after the birth of their baby!
During the prenatal spa visit:
Talk to your therapist about your specific needs or issues.
The spa should take a thorough history for each prenatal client. Information gathered should include how pregnant you are, any allergies, sensitivities, physical discomforts or complications. Beyond this, the therapist or esthetician should ask questions that address your pregnancy such as your specific issues, needs and expectations.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up!
When visiting a spa, some clients are uncomfortable voicing their needs. It’s important to keep in mind that the visit is all about you! Don’t be afraid to speak up if you are not comfortable. Everyone woman’s experience is different. If you are experiencing a normal pregnancy, the best guideline is to listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel comfortable, don’t do it, if it does feel comfortable, enjoy!
Services to avoid:
Facial Peels and Microdermabrasion
Facials feel great and can only enhance the glow of pregnancy. However, many women are affected by skin sensitivity and hyper-pigmentation during pregnancy so facial peels and microdermabrasion are not recommended. Facials designed to treat these conditions should be part of the spa menu and products used should support these changes.
Wraps
Wraps constrict movement and a client may get too warm. If mom gets too warm, blood vessels dilate to bring more blood to the skin surface for cooling. This could make mom lightheaded and uncomfortable.
Essential oils
It is suggested that pregnant women use essential oils derived from flowers rather than herbs during pregnancy, and that “calming” oils such as lavender are preferable to “stimulating” oils such as camphor.
Spas that require a doctor’s note (unless you’ve experienced complications)
If a spa requires a doctor’s note before treatment, it may show lack of experience or confidence in offerings. As far as treatments go, very few are contraindicated as long as you’re working with a trained, experienced therapist. Unfortunately we are still victims of the myth that pregnancy is a “delicate condition” and the resulting fear surrounding this myth.
Spas that won’t see you in the first trimester
If a spa isn’t comfortable seeing you in the first trimester, they may not have the proper training and experience with prenatal clients.
**Women that are experiencing high-risk pregnancies should consult with their obstetrician before considering spa services.**
Award-winning Barefoot & Pregnant, the first and most respected maternity spa program in the U.S., has always been about community – a trusting environment where expecting moms can kick off their shoes and relax. By offering everything from babymoon packages and world-class spa services to online social networking, information and tools, Barefoot & Pregnant strives to be the preeminent maternity resource. Barefoot & Pregnant maternity spas locations include Casa Madrona Hotel in Sausalito, Calif., Hotel Los Gatos & Spa in Los Gatos, Calif. and Hotel Healdsburg in Healdsburg, Calif. Consumers seeking more general Barefoot & Pregnant information can call
(415) 388-1777.
