Spa Treatments that Are Not Safe for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy can be hard for some women physically and spa treatments can provide some much needed relief. While there are some spa treatments that pregnant women can enjoy with no problem, such as manicures and some massages, there are other spa treatments that are unsafe for pregnant women.

Here is a list of spa treatments that are not safe for pregnant women.

Hot tubs aren't safe for pregnant women. Pregnant women are advised to avoid getting into hot tubs during their pregnancy. While a hot tub might seem inviting to soak away the aches and pains, hot tubs raise the body temperature and is not safe for the baby. This can cause birth defects such as spina bifida.

Pregnant women shouldn't use saunas. Another spa treatment pregnant women should avoid are saunas. Saunas are unsafe for pregnant women because the heat of the sauna raises a person's body temperature.

Some treatments with essential oils aren't safe for pregnant women. There are some essential oils that are not safe for pregnant women to use, including in spa treatments. Some essential oils pregnant women should avoid during a spa treatment are almond, basil, birch, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, clove, fennel, fir, ginger and lemon grass. You can visit Essential Oils for a complete listing of essential oils to avoid during pregnancy and the reasons why you should avoid them. Some essential oils should be avoided because they are toxic, while others should be avoided because they cause skin sensitivity.

Pregnant women shouldn't get body wraps. Body wraps might seem like a harmless spa treatment for pregnant women, but it can do more harm than good. This is because wraps insulate the body and could raise the temperature too high and harm the baby.

Facials can cause skin sensitivity for some pregnant women. For the most part facials are harmless for pregnant women, but some pregnant women have skin sensitivity. Those with pregnancy skin sensitive should skip getting a facial spa treatment. Otherwise you could feel discomfort. Talk with an esthetician if you have concerns about how getting a facial spa treatment will affect you during your pregnancy. There should be some products you can use to help nourish your pregnant skin.

Aromatherapy treatments might have negative effects on pregnant women. Depending on if you're sensitive to smell during your pregnancy, you may want to skip getting treatments that include aromatherapy. If you get sick from the smell, it will be hard to enjoy whatever spa treatment you're having at the moment.

Sources: Essential Oils, Dr. Spock