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As fertility specialists, we encourage our patients to R-E-L-A-X as much as possible because current research supports the link between reduced stress and fertility treatment success. And what says, “relax,” more than a spa treatment day or a little bit of self-care dappled into the busy weekly calendar?
Prioritize Fertility Success When Booking Self-Care Appointments
While relaxation and self-care are certainly important, you also want to minimize potential chemical exposure, treatments or temperatures that could negatively impact conception and/or a healthy pregnancy.
Here are a list of some of the most popular treatments used by women for special “me” time – and how you should re-think them when trying to conceive (TTC).
Seek more natural hair treatments
Some of the most popular hair treatments – coloring, highlighting, perming and straightening – are typically executed via intense chemicals that are frowned upon during the first trimester – as well as after IVF treatments.
Also, hormones are present in your hair and sometimes, colors and treatments that worked before will work differently after your pregnant, so that’s something to discuss with your stylist as well.
DO: Work with your hairstylist to create a hairstyle that works with your natural hair type/color and that minimizes the use of harsh chemicals
DON’T: Continue using haircare products with synthetic chemicals suspected to interfere with your endocrine (hormone) system and/or fertility
Think “Relaxing” rather than “Transformative” with Facials
Just as your hair is soaked with hormones, your skin is affected as well. When you’re trying to conceive:
DO: Enjoy the soothing, relaxing and skin-purifying aspects of traditional facials (preferably with and esthetician that favors earth-friendly products) – cleansing, gentle exfoliation, extractions and deep moisturizing.
DON’T: Schedule more skin irritating treatments, like microdermabrasion, Botox, deep-cleaning electrical stimulation or chemical peels.
Back to hair removal basics
While there is no evidence to show that things like bleaching, lasers and electrolysis are unhealthy, it’s better to be safe than sorry:
DO: Stick to the hair removal basics – plucking, shaving or waxing (although waxing may be more ouchy once you’re pregnant) for now.
DON’T: Continue with more innovative hair-removal treatments until your bun is safely conceived and delivered from the oven.
Take a break from steaming, soaking or sweating
Unlike their mothers, developing babies don’t have a means to cool off; they’re at the mercy of their mother’s core temperature, which is why we recommend you:
DO: Take relaxing baths or hot tub soaks – in water that doesn’t allow your core temperature to get above 101° F (decrease that standard 104° F hot tub setting!).
DON’T: Push it by getting overheated in saunas, mud baths, hot tubs or other relaxing heat-centric environments.
Make sure your masseuse knows you are TTC
Massages are a healthy way to relax, relieve pregnancy discomforts and to help the lymph system flush out unhealthy toxins. However, there are certain pressure points that should be avoided.
DO: Seek out a licensed massage therapist who specializes in prenatal massage techniques and let him/her know you’re trying to conceive so s/he treats your body as if you already have.
DON’T: Neglect to mention you’re trying to conceive or that you’re newly pregnant to ensure you receive the ultimate support and massage techniques that promote the health of you and baby.
These spa treatment Dos and Don’ts will help you to truly relax. RRC wishes you and your (almost conceived) baby a healthy and happy pregnancy.
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