Pregnancy pillows are longer in length than a normal pillow and designed to support the changing shape of a pregnant woman’s body. They help you settle in a safe sleeping position for both mum and baby. Our support line offers practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers: 0300 330 0700.

For that super smooth spa feeling, you could use an intensive conditioner on your hair and moisturise your skin all over with a body butter.

Where can I get spa treatments in pregnancy?

Many pregnant women seek relief in the form of massage and who can blame them? Pregnant women have a lot to deal with – the aches and pains can be endless, the extra weight can put strains on parts they didn’t even know were there until the pregnancy developed; overall, the bodily changes can mean big challenges for many pregnant women. So you the therapist will occasionally find your phone ringing with a tired, expecting mother on the line looking to you for a bit of relief. They will explain what will happen during the massage and ask whether there are any body parts or techniques you would prefer to avoid. Many massage therapists won't give pregnancy massages during the first trimester. The reason is the potential for miscarriage. Some pregnancy massage experts argue that pregnancy massage doesn't, in itself, cause miscarriage, but no research has been done to show a link between a massage and a miscarriage. Because many miscarriages happen in the first trimester, some massage therapists and doctors counsel against first-trimester massage simply to avoid any potential liability issues should a miscarriage occur.

A pregnancy massage typically lasts an hour. Some practitioners use a pregnancy massage table. That's a table designed to accommodate a woman's pregnant belly. Others use specially designed pillows called bolsters to position a woman comfortably on their side. This helps especially during the later stages of pregnancy. Lying on your side is often the most comfortable position.Women in the early stages of pregnancy may not present too many difficulties for you as a therapist, except that you need to be aware of the effects of your massage on her body and how much pressure to apply. This kind of massage will be a little different to the usual Swedish style though, and as the stages progress, the more adaptations you will need to make to your routine. A bolster pillow is designed to be hugged – place your arms and legs around the pillow with the centre of the pillow supporting your middle. 3. Full body pregnancy pillow Quality of sleep – Laura used each pillow for several days and nights in a row to see if it made any difference to her quality of sleep or the amount of sleep she got

Each pillow was used in bed, on the sofa while watching TV or reading, in the car, and at a desk at work (if feasible) You have a high-risk pregnancy such as placental abruption (where the placenta slightly detaches from the wall of the uterus) or preterm labor We also offer antenatal courses which are a great way to find out more about birth, labour and life with a new baby. After extensive research, we selected the 17 most highly recommended pillows to put through our testing process. Each pillow was scored on these key areas: comfort and safety, ease of use day-to-day, aesthetics, cleanliness and value for money. Those with the highest score were then awarded a Mumsnet Best badge and five others given honourable mentions. Comfort and safety From a scientific standpoint, the mechanisms that make massage therapy work are still largely unknown. More research is needed to understand how applying different types of manual pressure to the body can:Size matters, so you don't want to invest in a pillow that's either too big or too small for your needs. Warming your flannels or towels on a radiator and using a fluffy dressing gown will make your home spa feel extra special. Upon arrival at your chosen spa or salon, you'll be offered a drink. Your therapist will ask you to fill out a pre-treatment form, detailing any health conditions or complications. After the massage is over you will be given something to drink, as it is important to stay well-hydrated.