When you are lugging the gift of life around in your over-extended belly all day, you deserve a bit of pampering of your own. While a day at the spa may sound like a slice of heaven when you are battling morning sickness and swollen ankles, not all spa treatments are considered safe during these important nine months. Before you call your salon to request the "usual", get some spa savvy to find out which treatments are good for your pregnant body and which should most definitely be avoided.

First Trimester Pampering

Those early weeks can be filled with anxiety, fatigue and a sick stomach, so a trip to the spa can be welcome relief during this time. Make sure that you let them know your condition when you book your appointment, so that the spa staff can ensure that your visit will be safe and pleasant. Treatments with strong odors should be avoided since they can trigger morning sickness, and chemicals applied to the body or hair are no-no`s during this critical time of your baby`s development. However, massage, facials and pedicures can help you look your best when you are feeling less than your best.

Second Trimester Indulgences

The second trimester of pregnancy is often the most pleasant; your tummy has not yet evolved into an overinflated beach ball, and your morning sickness and other unpleasant symptoms have often dissipated. This is the perfect time to indulge in a massage that is performed by a massage therapist that is experienced in working on pregnant women. It is important to find a position for your massage that is safe and comfortable for you, and to keep the massage strokes lighter to avoid complications from varicose veins. There are particular pressure points that are thought to cause contractions, so your massage therapist will want to avoid those areas during pregnancy. A facial can also be a great choice for this time, as long as you don`t lie flat on your back to receive it and you avoid certain chemicals like glycolic acid that can be absorbed into your skin.

Third Trimester Treats

By the time you hit your third trimester, it is highly likely that you can no longer see or touch your feet over your swollen belly. What an ideal opportunity to treat yourself to a professional pedicure that will leave your tootsies looking their best during labor and delivery. A moisturizing body scrub on your expanding abdomen can also help to alleviate some of the itching and discomfort that tends to accompany the growth and keep your tummy soft and smooth during your final weeks of waiting.

Nine Month No-No`s

While some spa treatments can be perfectly lovely during pregnancy, others should be avoided at all costs. Electrolysis is never a good idea since no one knows for sure how the electrical currents might affect the baby. Treatments that raise body temperature, like saunas, mud baths and body wraps can be dangerous for both mother and baby and should never be used during pregnancy.

With a bit of spa savvy, you can enjoy the treatments you love throughout your pregnancy. Those nine months are an important time for a new mother and the perfect time to indulge in some serious self-pampering.  Enjoy the spa experience.

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