I have always been a believer in the profound importance of pampering. The health benefits of massage, facials, and even the occasional pedicure classify them as necessities for me rather than luxuries. So when I entered my third trimester and realized I hadn’t had a single massage since becoming pregnant I was shocked. Distracted by my laundry list of purchases—onesies, swaddle blankets, and more—I had forgotten that one of the best ways to prepare for the arrival of my baby was to treat myself to a bit of pampering.
“Massage is tremendously beneficial to women during the entire childbearing year,” says Zenana-Renee Rose, a registered nurse and owner of Zenana Spa and Wellness Center in Portland, Oregon. It helps relieve back, neck, and foot pain from carrying extra weight and can also alleviate conditions like sciatica, which is very common during pregnancy. What's more, according to Sara Ohgushi, ND, a naturopathic doctor and midwife in Portland, Oregon, “Relief from pain often means better sleep.” And, better sleep means a happier mama!
Others have found that massage can significantly lessen fluid retention, which is especially helpful for women who are on their feet a lot, or are pregnant during the hot days of summer. A pregnancy massage can even help prepare a woman for labor by loosening muscles and opening up the hip joints.
I felt the true benefit of pregnancy massage when I finally went in for a prenatal massage at Zenana, just three days before giving birth to my son. It dramatically reduced the swelling I had in my calves, eased the tension in my lower back, and helped to center my energy and calm my nerves, all of which helped me stay relaxed and strong during the 20 hours of labor I faced a few days later.
“Massage for birth preparation is indeed a great tool for a healthy labor,” says Heather Lyn Ernst, a licensed massage therapist, and owner of A Mellow Mood Family Spa in Boulder, Colorado. “When labor begins, it’s with a mind-body connection. Then, mom and baby each have a job to do: Mom needs to be relaxed in order to dilate, and baby needs to be supported to make a great rotation out of the body,” she says. "Massage gives mom a chance to connect with her baby and body before labor starts."
With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why spas specializing in prenatal care and pampering are sprouting up across the United States. Barefoot & Pregnant, a spa dedicated to the care of mothers, has opened locations in Sausalito, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona. With this proliferation, however, comes a bit of caution: Not all spa treatments are safe during pregnancy, so it's important that you inform the spa that you’re expecting, even if you’re only a few weeks along. A few things to watch out for: Certain ingredients and herbs should be avoided during pregnancy, and lying flat on your back is contraindicated after week 18 or so.
Even if getting out to the spa is not feasible, a bit of at-home pampering can go a long way. During pregnancy, a nap, long shower, facial mask, or a partner-given foot massage can do wonders to ease a woman’s aches and anxieties. “Pregnant women deserve all the pampering they can get," says Ohgushi. They are working 24/7 building another human being. Anything that helps them feel relaxed and loved will help with birth.”
Enter to Win! Check out this Rites of Passage video about Pampering yourself in the Postpartum period and tell us how becoming a parent has transformed you.
Linda Knittel is a nutritional anthropologist, freelance writer, and new mom living in Portland, Oregon.