Skin Treatments and Reflexology During Pregnancy

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A new wave of skin care is surfacing. Skin nourishing treatments designed for pregnancy. Their focus? Your growing belly, your plumping thighs, some even concentrate on the breasts (just be sure to avoid the nipple area). Think of these new "spa" innovations as facials for your pregnant body. That itchy middle, those about to pop stretch marks, those achy thighs, etc... they could all benefit from a little TLC right about now.

You need moisture and you need it now. Some day spas offer "Tummy Facials" which alleviate the itching and aching which accompany the stretching your skin goes through as your baby grows (and you grow along with him). Some spas even claim that these treatments combat stretch marks. There's not much medical evidence about the stretch mark aspect of it, but as a whole these skin nourishing treatments are worth your time. These "Tummy facials" could just as easily be called "body facials," as they can be used anywhere your skin is stretching to accommodate baby. Take care of your pregnant skin.

Do it yourself or have it done for you.
Your partner, your trusty aesthetician (that's a licensed skin care professional), even your three year old (they love anything gooey) would be happy to help you with these skin nourishing steps. Turn off the television. Ignore the telephone. Play some soothing music and pay a little attention to yourself.

1. Cleanse with warm (not hot) water and a mild cleansing lotion.

2. Exfoliate your skin using a mild exfoliating lotion and a loofah or washcloth.

3. Apply a deep pore facial mask (the same one you use for your face is okay).

4. Lather some extra moisturizer on your pregnant parts. (Many skin care professionals encourage moms-to-be to use cocoa butter cream to avoid stretch marks. There are also creams made expressly for stretch marks available at your local baby product retailer and even some department store skin care counters.)

This should not be a one-time treat. Moisturize your growing middle everyday after showering. Consider it patting your baby on the head. Exfoliate and apply a mask once a week. Take the time to take care of your body which is working so hard - twenty four hours a day to be precise - to nourish and care for your baby.

The moisture, the increased circulation (thanks to the gentle rubbing in of the products), and the down time will refresh you. Combine that feeling of renewal with all that second trimester energy and you'll be a woman ready to tackle any mission. What might that mission be?

Reflexology
What exactly is reflexology? Does it have to do with the little hammer that doctors use to tap on people's knees? Well, no. But it can involve your knees, though most people don't realize that it can go that high up the leg. Up the leg? Aren't we talking pregnancy here?

Reflexology is a holistic approach which stems from ancient Eastern (as in Asia) medicine. Reflexology uses pressure points (like acupuncture does, only there are no needles here) to alleviate physical symptoms associated with pregnancy and non-pregnancy related complaints.

Usually, reflexologists concentrate on pressure points in the feet or hands. Through touch, they apply pressure to key areas which are believed to be corresponding flex points for organs, muscles, joints throughout the body. The pressurized touch can provide relief for many issues.

Pregnant women specifically report relief for:

• Back and leg pain
• Poor circulation - fewer instances of tingling in the extremities
• Stress - they feel more calm than they did before reflexology treatments began
• Fewer headaches
• Better digestion

There are even reflexology bracelets which you can buy and wear to apply pressure to key points once you've finished with your reflexology appointment.

Those people who rely on reflexology are firm believers in its benefits. This definitely falls in to the it's worth a try category. It may or may not work for you, but what have you got to lose? It's not terribly expensive, it's relaxing, and it might just work.