Center Parcs

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I am around 7 weeks PG after a MC at 11 weeks in Dec

Next week we are going to CP with friends who don't know about euther pregnancy.

I have told them I have given up alcohol for lent, but not sure what else there will be. For example they want to do quad biking, horse riding and paintball, which I dont think I can.

We are also meant to be going to the spa, is there anything in there I can do safely?

NHS says because we have so little research into spas when pregnant they advise against it. It's mostly to do with dehydration, overheating and fainting so Jacuzzis and saunas are out. Use the pool maybe? Get a facial? You could quietly let the beauty therapist know that you're pregnant because some essential oils are risky in the first trimester.

As for some of the activities, just say it's not your thing, you don't want bruises (from paintballing) you're terrified of horses?

Can't you just tell them? Rather than sneaking round a lying to them all the time you are away?

Seems a shame, because they are going to be constantly saying 'come and do xyz', and very possibly get annoyed when you keep declining.

I recently went to CP at 9 weeks. A number of the spa treatments say suitable for pregnant women only after 12 weeks, from that I assumed others not suitable at all. I had a luxury pedicure instead. Specifically told the spa people I was pregnant (as changing booking from a massage booked pre-BFP) and they said it was fine. Didn't bother with the spa experience bit as so much of that is not suitable in pregnancy. Sorry that's probably not what you wanted to hear.

We were with 19-month DD so paintball and quad biking not in our agenda anyway!

How are you feeling?

I know what you mean that it might be easier to just tell the truth, but if we do we would feel the need to explain about previous pregnancy and it all just gets a bit complicated - argh!!

Avoid massages, I stupidly had one when I was approx ten weeks and went very faint. It over stimulates the blood flow, which is why it's not recommended in the first trimester because too much is going on in those first 12 weeks.

I'd definitely let the beauty therapists knowthat you are pregnant. They use plain oils instead for facials etc, but they may not be covered for early pregnancy, so worth checking first.

As for the activities if you are worried I would possibly say that you've hurt your shoulder or back or something and doc has advised not to do anything overly active, but go along with them and offer to take pics if you want, that way you can still be involved

No spa in first trimester.

hmm, thanks all, will stick with archery I think

You can do loads in a CenterParcs spa when pregnant.
When I've been when pregnant (twice) I didn't do: steam rooms, saunas, jacuzzis
I did do: foot spas, relaxation rooms, outdoor pool, lay around eating apples on the water beds.

If you want to keep it a secret from your friends, just say you don't like steam rooms because you don't like getting too hot.

to be fair luckiest, I actually don't like steam rooms or saunas anyway!

What else is in the spa, finding it hard to discover on their website!

Call the spa and ask them in advance. That way you don't need to try and have a private chat when you get there. I found if you even said you were trying for a baby they treat you like you are just to be safe.

Would you consider telling your friends you're trying for a baby? I found being honest meant I didn't get questions about why I wasn't drinking, or avoiding certain things. Obviously we were trying for a long time (IVF graduate) but it meant when I did fall pregnant nobody noticed!

Enjoy the break

I had just turned 12 weeks during our last CP visit. I told our friends on the first day so they would understand why I was so tired all the time, couldn't go on the big water rides, and could only do certain things in the world of spa. If you tell CP you are pregnant, you get the spa experience for discounted price. I think I only paid £10. Well worth it for even just the outdoor infinity pool at Woburn. The foot spa machines were bliss. I could have stayed there the entire time.

Hi
You can pay a reduced amount to go in the spa at CP whilst pregnant as you should only use the relaxation areas not the sauna/hot rooms.

Not sure if you can do this in a way which is hidden from friends though.

You can use the water beds/ lounging areas /chill out areas /pool and read a book and relax.

I've just come back from CP at 15 weeks. I used the spa with hubby (reduced fee of £10) but you can only use the outdoor pool, foot spa & waterbeds so it's not really worth it. Plus I don't think they recommended even those under 12 weeks. There are some treatments, I had a scalp massage, but again you'd need to call & ask. There are plenty of activities you'll still be able to do if you're feeling well & they're not all active. We did pottery painting which was nice, table tennis, pool. Maybe tell your friends you've been having migraines or something so you're a bit funny in hot rooms or doing anything too strenuous. It's nice just walking round the grounds, eating in the restaurants & you can use the main swimming pool

I did this for a hen weekend at 6 weeks. I (perhaps shouldn't have) did the Go Ape thing up in the trees which was OK, if terrifying! Possibly not good to have so much adrenaline pumping but DS seems fine... Spa-wise, just avoided the hot stuff (don't like it anyway, like you!) but did have a massage which made me feel so sick. I'd stick with nails/facial. Six weeks was much too early to tell people for me and I didn't know them all that well, apart from the bride to be. Oh and I discreetly discarded a lot of drinks when we went out!