Pregnancy Without the Pause: Part I

The Forbidden Five

Spa Treatments to Skip During Pregnancy

1. Hot baths, steam rooms, saunas (traditional and infrared). Why? Heat and sweat cause decreased blood flow (and blood to pool in your feet), which means the baby gets less oxygen, says Joel Evans, M.D., author of The Whole Pregnancy Handbook.

2. Contrast hydrotherapy (alternating hot and cold pools or rooms). Constant temperatures are best.

3. Body wraps that cause perspiration and raise core body temperature.

4. Detoxifying body scrubs. It's possible these may release toxins into the bloodstream, not a good idea since a very tiny person is sharing it, explains Spabébé's Heidi Moon. Consolation prize: Light body buffs for itchy and dry skin are safe.

5. Essential oils (concentrated plant extracts) are verboten during the first trimester, according to Dr. Evans. It's safe to reintroduce rose, lavender, and chamomile during the second trimester, as long as they're diluted with twice the amount of carrier oil. But peppermint, rosemary, sage, and jasmine shouldn't be used at all, Dr. Evans explains, because they can trigger uterine contractions.

December 3, 2008

Stay tuned for the best spas for pregnancy spa treatments in "Pregnancy Without the Pause: Part 2"