Hurrah, you’re pregnant! Once the elation and well-wishing has died down it’s time to face your (rapidly) changing body. As well as dealing with your expanding bump, swollen ankles, an aching back and sore, stretched ligaments (ouch) are just some of the ailments you may experience during the course of your pregnancy. The tricky part of course, is that unlike the aches and pains you might find yourself nursing after a rigorous workout, you’ll need to take a different approach when it comes to soothing your baby body. ‘Pregnancy massage is great for enhancing the whole experience for the mother-to-be. It will balance the emotions, relieve feelings of anxiety and discomfort and help calm your mind’, says Merryn Grubb, Aromatherapy Associates Trainer for UK & EMAE. The world of pregnancy can be a daunting one. No sooner than you’ve got to grips with the prospect of bringing a baby into the world, than there are all the changes that your body goes through, to contend with. To discover how to ease yourself in and out of the most exhilarating time of your life, read on…
By Georgia Day
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1 Pre-natal - Can I have treatments as soon as I find out I’m pregnant?
It’s best to wait until your second trimester before you have any treatments. It’s around this time when most of the worst symptoms like morning sickness and crippling tiredness start to disappear, so you should begin to feel more like yourself and enjoy being pampered. It’s in this trimester that the risk of miscarriage drops significantly too, and unlike in the first 12 weeks, your growing belly can be worked on. Other than ensuring certain pressure points are avoided (which can cause the onset of contractions), regular treatments can provide a well-deserved and relaxing respite from the strain your body is under, as well as nourishing your skin and even reducing the appearance of the dreaded stretch marks.
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2 Are essential oils a no-no?
Contrary to belief, you can still plump for an aromatherapy massage while you’re expecting, just make sure you know what to choose and what to avoid, as essential oils, which are absorbed by the body, can be incredibly powerful. The risk of using overly invigorating oils in pregnancy is the possibility that they may cross the placenta and reach your growing baby's circulation – the effects of which are still unknown. ‘Certain essential oils are contraindicated to pregnancy as they are too stimulating’ advises Merryn. To be safe, your therapist will use only those recommended in small amounts, ensuring they’re diluted with a harmless carrier oil such as Macadamia Nut, first. While you should steer clear of certain oils like Rosemary and Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Camomile and Geranium can all be enjoyed as part of a massage.
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3 Are all treatments safe to have?
While you should avoid anything that uses heat (saunas and steam rooms that raise your body temperature can be harmful to your unborn baby), a massage is the perfect antidote to all those pregnancy pains (of which there can be a lot). Ideal for easing your aching back and soothing sore hips, it’s not just a great way to prepare for the impending musculoskeletal changes your body will go through, it releases endorphins too, giving you a much-needed mood boost. From your second trimester onwards, lying on your bump should be avoided, so to help you get comfy during your treatment your therapist will offer you a cosy alternative, whether it’s cushions, a reclining chair or a specialist bed. If you’d rather tend to tricky pregnancy skin instead, facials can really help manage sensitivity and maintain healthy skin. Just make sure you avoid Retinol, as studies have shown it absorbs into the bloodstream and can harm a growing baby’s development. If you love having your feet tended to, reflexology can offer relief from a variety of pregnancy issues such as high blood pressure and insomnia. If you’d rather hang on until you’re waiting patiently for your baby to arrive (or not so patiently, if you’re overdue!), late-stage reflexology is a great idea, as certain pressure points – usually between the ankle and the heel – can stimulate contractions and labour.
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4 Post-natal - Are treatments a good idea once I've had the baby?
You may have given birth but the aches and pains you experienced during pregnancy don’t necessarily stop there. Although your body no longer has to stretch to accommodate a baby, caring for one and carrying it round all day (and night) can bring with it more problems. ‘Massage can be a powerful tool after childbirth’ says Merryn. ‘It can help with everything from sleep problems and muscular pain to banishing fluid retention. It should also help you feel less tired and offer a sense of emotional support.’ Although your body may be crying out for a little TLC, it’s best to wait a little while after you have your baby before you have a treatment. For a normal birth, after your six-week check up is fine, while mums who have had a Caesarean section should wait twelve weeks.
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5 What should I try?
Massages can be wonderfully restorative when you’ve just had a baby, but make sure you choose your treatment based on what you really want to tackle. While the benefits of breastfeeding are well documented, the physical demands it can place on your body are a different story. While hunching over your baby during exhausting night feeds can put painful pressure on your back, wearing baby in a sling (because of course that’s the only place he’ll fall asleep…) can pull at your neck and shoulders. ‘The Ultimate Rose Pregnancy massage is especially designed for this kind of muscular stress and will relieve tension and help alleviate an aching back’ assures Merryn. If combatting dry, neglected skin is your bag (the urge to slather yourself in stretch mark oil soon vanishes post-pregnancy, because frankly, who’s got the time?) then opt for the Ultimate Rose Post Pregnancy Skin Nourisher. A deeply restorative, pampering, all-over body treatment that incorporates exfoliation and the layering of rose-based products, it helps restore skin’s quality and appearance.