Do pregnancy and spa treatments mix?

You’ve made it past your first trimester. You’ve got to be feeling pretty pleased with yourself so how do you celebrate? Choosing a spa treatment may well be the answer. Joanna Lodge explores some of the finest spa treatments to experience during pregnancy hidden in amongst the Sois of Bangkok. 

At 27 weeks pregnant it seems like a wonderful idea to visit a spa, but the reality is, it can be uncomfortable, a little awkward and a sensory overload. There’s also the worry of how it will affect your pregnancy, whether the products being used are safe and how it will make you feel afterwards. For the sake of all pregnant women out there though I’m prepared to take the plunge and see what’s available. It’s a tough job ….

First stop, RarinJinda Wellness Spa, part of the Siam Wellness Group as is Let’s Relax Spas that opened in 1998. This particular spa is located on the 30th floor of the Grande Central Point Hotel, Pleonchit. There are other locations in the city as well as Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Hua Hin and Samui. Details can be found by visiting their website, http://www.letsrelaxspa.com.

Set in the grounds of a hotel, the staff were wonderful and explained that I could adapt my treatment with regards to timing, breaks and focus areas in accordance to how I felt that day which put my mind at rest. The massage would be conducted using safflower oil, a natural base oil taken from safflower seeds. It’s completely odourless and contains high levels of vitamin A and E so great for skin and cell regeneration. It also really helped reduce itching and aid circulation. This was the only product used on my skin during the massage.

‘The massage would be conducted using safflower oil, a natural base oil that contains high levels of vitamin A and E so great for skin and cell regeneration.’

I was led to the treatment room having had my feet carefully washed. A very relaxing experience, if not a little unexpected. The treatment room was a converted hotel room with an ensuite bathroom where I showered and adorned a very fetching silk dressing gown. The massage was tender, attentive and careful. The masseur was so kind and allowed me to move and rest when needed. The oils left my skin feeling quite glorious and the massage was heavenly. There was careful attention to my feet and legs, and my arms and shoulders both of which I specified before the treatment.

The resounding uniqueness that glared at me on completion of my time at RarinJinda was the delicate use of natural oils that clearly complemented my skin, and the careful time and patience spent on not only applying it but ensuring that I was comfortable throughout my visit. Another fantastic spa to consider is Oasis Spa, Bangkok (www.oasisspa. net) on Soi 51. They have a second location on Soi 31 and numerous other locations in Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Phuket. The first of their spas opened 12 years ago and they are going from strength to strength.

Oasis Spa, Bangkok really is just that. An oasis in the middle of a bustling, polluted city. I was met at the door to their crisp, clean Thai style lobby by the welcoming staff who carefully explained the process and the treatment I was going to receive, a 2 hour Thai massage and facial. We talked in depth about the products they were offering to use on me and I was assured that there would be no oils in the massage and all the ingredients used in the facial were naturally sourced.

The treatment room was reminiscent of a spa retreat at a beach or jungle resort. The lowly lit room led to an outside bathing area, fully concealed from prying eyes where you can shower at your leisure before re-entering the treatment room.

‘The smells of honey, cucumber, rose water and jojoba oil filled my nostrils sending me to a place I’ve never been but sincerely hope to return to.’

Although there was the obligatory sensory music playing dimly in the background, this thankfully didn’t drown out the natural birdsong that could be heard from the trees and gardens in the grounds around the spa. As I was carefully laid down on the bed, with the utmost discretion (in my cumbersome pregnant state), the masseuse ensured that pillows were placed around me to support my hips, back and neck before she began to work on my feet and legs while I lay on my side. The real treat was the facial that followed.

The smells of honey, cucumber, rosewater and jojoba oil filled my nostrils sending me to a place I’ve never been but sincerely hope to return to. A mild scrub was applied before a gently rinse and further applications of the cucumber, the honey as well as hot and cool towels. My skin had never felt so well cared.

What stands this venue and treatment apart from others available is the outside feel to this Thai style venue, the heavenly sound of birdsong that fills the air and the delicate use of pure natural ingredients throughout the treatment. Other possible places that offer pregnancy treatments in the Bangkok area include Di Vana on 10 Srivieng, Silom. Their pregnancy programme is suitable for women between 16-24 weeks pregnant for body treatments and pre 16 weeks and post 24 weeks it is possible to have a Sensitive Aqua O2 facial treatment. Di Vana offers an Ashiyu foot therapy and Juventide concentrated body collagen. This treatment uses warm collagen to return moisture to the skin. The warm collagen can also release muscle tension. The practitioners use a special massage technique designed specifically for pregnant women ensuring relaxation and skin radiance. The other pre 16 week and post 24 week treatment available is the sensitive aqua O2 facials. The options available are sensory therapy, bio-detox facial cleansing, O2 Hydradermabrasion sensitive peel, acupressure facial detox massage and skin repair facial sensitive mask.  For more information on divana please visit www.divana-dvn.com and www.divanaclinic.com.

Finally, located on Soi 59, Mandarin Ginger Spa (www.mandaringingerspa.com) is a modern day spa that offers a wonderful spa and massage experience. Situated in a quiet and green neighbourhood it is the ideal location to treat yourself during your pregnancy. Pregnancy treatments available are SpaRitual® foot ritual. This relaxing treatment offers tired and swollen feet the chance to come back to life starting with a foot soak in warm water filled with SpaRitual organic bath salts, followed by exfoliation, wrap, gentle massage, and moisturise. SpaRitual organic products from USA are used in this treatment. Also available in the SpaRitual product range; body lotion, scrub masque, massage crème, sole mate foot balm, sole mate callus remover. The second pregnancy treatment recommended is the Hytomer soothing facial treatment.

Using natural marine ingredients, this soothing and balancing facial helps calm and hydrate the skin. It reduces redness and hyper-sensitivity, while nourishing and conditioning the skin. Products used in this treatment include: relaxing serum, Micellar water eye makeup removal, Perfect visage cleansing milk, Pure pore heating mask cream, Enzymatic exfoliant, Oligoforce soothing enforcement serum, Douceur marine soothing mask and Youth reviving wrinkle correction cream. Finally, and only recommended after your first trimester, The Phytomer relaxing body massage that offers mum’s to be a light pressure massage used to help relieve pregnancy-related aches and pains and improve circulation in the feet, legs, lower back, hips and neck. Proper positioning and support ensures comfort and safety of mother and baby. This body massage is performed using a lightly-scented Bi-phase massage concentrate with Oligomer®.

Joanna’s a freelance writer that moved to Bangkok in August with her family. She is currently commissioning writers to join the Expat Life team, as well as contributing to other publications in and around the city. Contact Joanna at [email protected]