Great Expectations

Back Pain

Lower back pain is an unfortunate side effect of pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones cause the joints, ligaments and muscles to relax and a tendency to push your bump forward results in strain. The Agua Spa at the Sanderson Hotel has launched a new treatment menu for expectant mothers. The Mother Nature Massage, £80 for 55 minutes, relieves stress with heated water pads placed under limbs and includes a pain relieving back, neck, shoulder and scalp massage. Another one not to be missed: The Sanctuary Yummy Mummy Spa Voucher, £171, includes use of the Day Spa facilities, a 50 minute face or body treatment and lunch.

The Sanderson Agua Spa, enq:(020) 7300 1414; The Sanctuary, enq: 0844 875 8847

Stretch Marks

Pregnancy stretch marks occur when the skin is stretched beyond its limit resulting in tiny tears appearing in the supporting layers. Biolane Maman Stretch Mark Cream, £14.80, contains organic argan oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids and beta-carotene. These nourish and strengthen the skin’s elasticity so that it is better able to resist stretch marks. Massage in to damp skin twice a day and the wheat oils and proteins will help to minimise water loss while the vitamin E will help to strengthen the skin further and provide some anti-oxidant protection.

biolance.co.uk . Enq: 01322 290 101

Nausea

On average Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy (NVP) affects 70% of expectant women. This can take its toll, leaving you dehydrated and lacking in energy. Luckily certain scents have been found to calm areas of the brain linked to the nausea response. Try burning The Body Shop Lavender home fragrance oil, £3.50 and G. Baldwin & Co Eucalyptus Essential Oil, £2.39 and Peppermint Essential Oil, £3.39 (don’t apply them directly to your skin). The scents may help with your sickness and the lavender has antiseptic properties, which will help to neutralise airborne bacteria protecting you against colds.

thebodyshop.com ; baldwins.co.uk

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a form of Chinese medicine that stimulates points on the body that are associated with the flow of energy, also know as qi (pronounced ‘chee’), with hair thin needles. It is believed that an imbalance of qi can lead to illness and feeling sluggish. A treatment once a month during pregnancy can help relieve morning sickness, reduce fatigues, headaches, heartburn, haemorrhoids, sciatica, joint pain and stress. Speak to Emma Cannon - an acupuncturist who specialises in pregnancy and fertility. In addition to offering acupuncture she will also talk you through nutrition, lifestyle and your wellbeing before, during and after.

emmacannon.co.uk ; enq: 07531 916 121

Hair
Pregnancy hormones also affect the health of your hair. Some women (the lucky ones) experience growth and their hair becomes thick and glossy. Others aren’t so lucky, and will actually experience hair loss. This can be a result of iron, iodine or protein deficiencies so it is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, seeds, yoghurt and cold pressed oils and top up with a supplement such as Pregnacare, £5.35 for 30 tablets, which contains vitamin B12 and folic acid together with 19 important vitamins and minerals. Treat your hair and scalp sensitively during this time and try Louise Galvin Mother to be Shampoo, £22, it’s fragrance, silicone and paraben free and contains a probiotic formula which helps calcium retention and promotes a healthy scalp, in turn protecting you against hair loss.
louisegalvin.com

Melasma
Another common, unwanted side effect of pregnancy is melasma with around 50 percent of pregnant women developing it to some degree. It is also known as the ‘Pregnancy Mask’ and appears in the form of darkened pigmentation on the face and neck brought about as a result of hormone changes. It usually resolves after birth but in the mean time book yourself in for the ESPA Brightening Facial, non-peak £75/peak £80 for 60 minutes at The Landmark Hotel. It uses products with natural AHA’s and BHA’s (alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids are molecules that gently exfoliate the outer layers of skin), which are safe for mothers-to-be, to soften and smooth the skin, helping to restore radiance and clarity to skin tone.
landmarkspa.com ; enq: (020) 7631 8010; espaonline.com ; enq: (01252) 352 231