The assumption might be that product ranges for pregnant women are limited, but this is not the case. Kerstin Florian International offers the Aromatherapy Organic Harmony Body Oil, which combines an organic blend of Chinese geranium, said to help circulation and act as an anti-depressant, pink grapefruit, mandarin orange and lavender. It has a 1.5% essential oil concentration.
Elemis has a wide range of products recommended for use during pregnancy, such as the Elemis Instant Refreshing Gel. For homecare, the company recommends Rosewood Essential Oil added to its Japanese Camellia Oil to help prevent stretch marks.
Howard says that some aromatherapy products can be used but again, she urges caution and reinforces that they should only be used from the second trimester.
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“A pregnant woman should be careful of using essential oils that are too strong in concentration and could potentially be too potent for the baby, since it is considered possible that the essential oils can penetrate through to the baby’s blood,” warns Howard.
“My advice would be to use essential oils that can help improve the capillary circulation to the skin such as Rose or citrus oils such as Sweet Orange and Neroli, and encourage skin cell renewal with Patchouli or Sandalwood. Camomile is soothing and comforting for when skin gets sensitive and can also be used on babies more than three months old,” she suggests.
Tailored technique
As well as using specific products, massage technique needs to be adapted to pregnant women, from the pressure of the stroke to the position on the bed. Although Handa and Yarbug said they had experience of using treatment beds with a hole for the ‘bump’ to fit through in the middle, they said they now opted for more relaxed positions.
“We use a V-shaped pillow around the neck and we also put bolsters around each side and we incline the bed. It’s a very comfortable position. Sometimes we ask clients to lay on their side too,” says Yarbug.
“We do it on the side,” agrees Handa. “The bed is inclined up to a 45˚ or 50˚ angle, because you want blood flow to continue to the heart because the vena cava is under strain during pregnancy, and we pop a pillow between the knees. It’s how you would sleep on your side in bed. We even give you a bolster to hug while laying on your side so your arms know what to do,” says Handa.
Gabriel believes Elemis has found the optimum position, however.
“Having gone through nine months of pregnancy and starved of good touch in a dignified position I felt very strongly that Elemis would introduce into their treatment offering a unique massage style performed on a soft, pliable surface such as a beanbag.
“The beanbag has the movement to shape and mould any size of body without exerting pressure on the lower back. It can support the knees and the upper back and is a much more dignified pose for a heavily pregnant expectant mum,” she explains.
“Good consultation is essential. You must avoid heavy pressure, thumb pressure on the lower back and working on the ankle area, and in the first trimester avoid tummy massage due to morning sickness.
“Once the therapist becomes familiar with the client’s personality and shape it is an amazing support for any woman during the nine-month journey. The pregnancy massage is very much about intuition and flow rather than hard heavy pressure.”
Handa adds that there’s a misconception that pregnancy massage is very technical.
“It’s really not; there are certain areas you have to avoid, but it’s a very light massage; that’s the most important thing the therapist has to understand. You cannot use hard pressure on a pregnant woman’s body, you’ll over-stimulate her system,” says Handa.
She adds that she is currently working on developing a specific course of post-natal treatments for SensAsia and that a new pre-natal treatment, Temple Time, which is a hot oil head massage to treat headaches, was introduced at the end of last year.
The manager of the new Nivea Haus Spa at The Dubai Mall is also looking to introduce a menu for the pre- and post-natal market, as well as the Nivea Baby range for retail.
“There’s a really big niche out there,” concludes spa manager Sallyann Simmons.
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