Calling all midwives/health professionals, advice needed

[pebblemum]

Im 6wks pg and am off to Centre Parcs next week my MIL has booked both myself and SIL in for a 3hr spa session. This will include the use of the Aqua Sensory room, a greek herbal bath, reflexology footbath, indian blossom Steam Room salt baths, a turkish Hammam etc as well as various quiet gardens to relax in and pools. I have heard that some people advice against these treatments when pg as the temperatures can cause a rise on blood pressure. Does this apply to everyone or just people who have had previous blood pressure problems in the past. Mine has always been fine even when pg.

If i was to be extra vigilant when in the rooms, ie if the heat starts to effect me in any way i was to leave and relax in one of the gardens would it still be ok for me to take part in the session. My MIL has paid for this as a special treat for us and i have been looking forward to it ever since finding out. I have been very stressed lately and feel this would help unwind but obviously do not want to cause my baby any harm. Also my MIL, SIL etc do not know that im pg and at this early stage i really dont want to have to tell them if i can help it but if i cancel my treatment they will know something is up.

Advice needed, please help

I'm not a MW, but I would ring the spa, tell them you are pg and ask their advice.

If you tell the spa you are pg then they will not let you do any of those things I'm afarid. I think the actual medical evidence is flimsy but it's possible that the high temperatures could affect the fetus and you'll be more prone to fainting.

Unfortunately it's up to you whether you take on what is a theoretical risk (not for the last time as that's what pregnancy is about - shall I have a small glass of wine etc etc)

HTH!

I did think that but i know that some places are extra vigilant about things like that for fear of being sued. If i phone them they may just decide to cancel the session just to protect themselves. I would hate to miss out only to find out at a later date that i would have been ok to do it.

I still have a few days to find out some more facts, i think i can cancel it 24hrs before so will wait to see what advice i receive on here over the next couple of days.

Liath, i spoke to a friend who is a dr about this the other day and she said the foetus wouldnt be at risk, its more about how i would feel but she said to speak to a midwife just to check but as yet i dont have access to one. Thats why i thought i would come on here to ask for advice.

Another friend pointed out that i may not even have discovered i was pg by the time i go next week if i hadnt been ttc so in that case i would have gone ahead and been none the wiser.

I'm sure there's a lot of arse-covering when it comes to what these places will allow pg women to do!

it depends how you feel about it really - I used the sauna at my gym without realising I was pg with ds, and then worried about it loads when I found out (along with a billion other things).

If you are going to worry during/after it, it may be better not to go.

Don't do it just to save your MIL and SIL's feelings.

call the antenatal unit at your hospital

or nhs direct

the main issue is the hammam, and steam room yes? Although you should probably check out the oils used in the reflexology as some of them are contrainidacted.

otherwise you will spend the next 8 months worrying, believe me.

I know my MIL wont be upset if i cancelled it because im pg, she would be over the moon, but i dont want to tell her yet.

Knowing it wont cause damage to the baby does make me feel that as long as im careful and keep on eye out for any unusual symptons ie dizziness etc that it should be ok. I just want to make sure that any m/wives etc on here agree, just in case

I honestly would get it checked.

I was told that raising your blood pressure limits oxygen to the baby.

that might be bollx, but...

Make sure you find out about any oils they use though as some are contraindicated in pregnancy.

No, I mean her feelings if you made an excuse for not going without giving the real reason.

She'd find out eventually of course

Hi Im not pg-just had a mc infact but me and dp went to Centerparc's to cheer ourselves up and get away and we used the spa. Some of the rooms are not that hot and some really are, but TBH it's prob not worth going in the steam rooms if you aint gonna get really quite sweaty etc as that is the benefit! However it is one big area and you can avoid the steam rooms but just using the hydrotherapy pool, foot baths, water beds, gardens etc, maybe also consider how you are in the heat? Does it make you faint etc? If you ask them they def won't let you in so I wouldn't tell them and make your own mind up about it. Or you could swap it for a facial or manicure etc. HTH, and BTW Centerparcs is great, you will love it xx

i'd just go and when you get in the treatment room , where i presume you will be alone! tell the therapist and she can amend your treatment if necessary and no-one in your family need know until you are ready to tell...go and relax.....lucky you

I went to the aquasana at Centerparcs when I was 3 weeks pregnant and didn't know I was pregnant, although I knew we were ttc. I went in all the rooms which are warm (greek, japanese, roman), not hot like the hammam. From memory I think if you say you are pregnant they will tell you what rooms it is OK to use.

Have a nice time.

Thanks everyone. Im normally ok with heat so i think i am going to give it a go but if at any point i feel faint then i will leave.

After all my worrying about people finding out it now turns out that dh couldnt keep quiet and has told everyone so i guess i dont have to worry about making excuses why i cant drink.

no to steam rooms
Ring centerparcs spa they will tell you, the spa I have been to with other mumsnetters does not allow preg women to do salt scrubs, some types of massage and steam room/spa area
Ring them or you may find your time there ruined, you could always plan some other treatments
So ring them to ask