When you’re trying to conceive, there is a lot to consider, and there are many instructions on what to do, take and avoid. Some spa treatments are found among things to avoid.
You will want to be wise about these treatments whether you are trying to get pregnant naturally or if you’re undergoing assistive reproductive technology (ART) treatments. Here are some things you need to acknowledge while on your journey.
Keep Fertility Success in Mind
You may enjoy a variety of spa treatments in ordinary circumstances. However, when you’re trying to conceive, there’s more to consider. Your fertility is essential even while you want to focus on self-care and relaxation. You should keep these things in mind when seeking certain types of spa treatments:
If you enjoy an occasional facial or chemical peel, you need to rethink your treatment. Go with something that is gentler and uses eco-friendly products to clean, moisturize and exfoliate your skin. You should avoid anything that’s overly irritating such as Botox, microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Avoid anything involving electrical stimulation as well.
While trying to conceive, you should avoid anything involving steam, soaking and sweating. This means you should skip the sauna, hot tub and mud bath. However, it’s safe to take a warm bath as long as the water doesn’t raise your body temperature to over 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to get a massage at a spa, it’s essential to inform your massage therapist that you’re trying to conceive. There are professionals who are skilled in providing prenatal massages.
What Effect Can Spa Treatments Have on Fertility?
While some spa treatments are acceptable when you’re trying to get pregnant, many are not safe. Generally, anything that raises your body’s core temperature should be avoided. Some of these treatments can increase the risk of a miscarriage. Likewise, women who are not yet pregnant but trying to conceive can impede their chances of success when undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
The issue of the body’s core temperature rising can lead to birth defects in women who are newly pregnant but so early on that they don’t yet know it. Specifically, it can result in neural tube defects, which increase the risk of spina bifida.
Men’s fertility can also suffer from certain spa treatments. Things like saunas and hot tubs—generally, anything that raises body temperature—can lower sperm count, resulting in more difficulty conceiving. While this is a temporary issue, it can still impede a man’s ability to impregnate his partner.
Swap a Sauna Steam for a Fertility Massage
If you cannot live without spa treatments while trying to conceive, one of the best options is a fertility massage. While this isn’t exactly the same as a standard spa massage, it can potentially help you while you try to get pregnant. It can help relieve stress and anxiety while boosting your mood and well-being.
The best thing about fertility massages is that you can administer them yourself. They focus on your reproductive organs and can help if you know where your uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes are located.
Lie on your back and place your hands above the uterus. Keep in mind that your uterus is located below your abdomen. Use light pressure to start and increase it while moving your hands in small circles. Avoid this massage if you have your period or if you’re already pregnant.
For a uterine massage, you should also lie on your back. Put your fingers on your pubic bone and apply gentle pressure. Pull upward to the belly button for 10 seconds and hold it. Repeat as needed.
Sit up for this massage and hold the inner thigh muscles with your hands. Massage the muscles from back to front to improve your blood flow.
You may want to incorporate essential oils into your routine as well. These oils can boost fertility and improve your chances of pregnancy. Using diluted oils is important. Generally, coconut, avocado, hazel seed and grapeseed oils are good. You can ingest them with tea, use them topically or rely on aromatherapy.
Not all spa treatments need to be avoided while trying to conceive. However, to prevent any possible obstacles on your way to the family you want, you may want to skip spa treatments.
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