Spa Safety
Tips for Women Preparing to Pamper during Pregnancy
I highly recommend indulging in spa treatments during your pregnancy, but you have to be careful about using essential oils. Essential oils are the concentrated aromatic part of plants. They’re generally mixed with other oils like sesame, avocado, and grapeseed oil (and they should never be applied to the skin undiluted). Once mixed, they’re used in “aromatherapy” treatments, including massage, facials, manicures, and pedicures, to help relieve tension or perk you up.
Make sure you see a licensed massage therapist or aesthetician (I ran into a few who didn’t know diddly about what to avoid), who is familiar with which essential oils are safe to use during pregnancy. Some are highly potent and can cause uterine contractions. Oils to avoid during pregnancy—especially during the first and second trimester—are clary sage, geranium, cypress, juniper, and rosemary. In fact, some women use clary sage during labor to help bring on contractions.
According to Dawn Bierschwal, owner of Becoming Mom Spa in Mason, Ohio, it’s a better idea to but essential oils specifically formulated for pregnancy rather than making your own. If you’re confused about which oils are safe, call the customer-care line and speak to an expert. Or you can play it completely safe and ask for a massage without any essential oils (that’s what I do at my local nail place).
According to Bierschwal, the following oils are safe to use during pregnancy, but should still be used in small amounts:
| Oil | Benefit |
| Lavender
Lemongrass Madarin Neroli Tea Tree Oil Ylang Ylang; |
Antiseptic, relaxing Aids circulation Diuretic; used in foot treatments to help with puffiness Tension relief Antiseptic Aphrodesiac, so good for preconception; relaxation |
