Prenatal Pampering: Spas that Cater to Moms-to-Be

What to Know Before You Go

"Pregnant women should check with their doctors before beginning any new spa or exercise regime," says Denney. "Tell the practitioner if you need to use the bathroom, change position, or are experiencing any discomfort." Denney does not recommend wraps during pregnancy, and says manicures and pedicures are safe, though the smell may be overwhelming due to a pregnant woman's more acute senses.

"Listen to your body, if something doesn't feel comfortable, don't do it," says Denney. "If it does feel comfortable, enjoy!"

Edamame Spa

"Enjoy!" is one way to describe Edamame Spa. With everything from shopping to spa treatments available, you can get more than one thing accomplished at Edamame's Charlotte, North Carolina; Westchester, New York; or Natick, Massachusetts, locations.

Treatments at the spa come in three phases:

• Beginning Phase: Prepares the woman for pregnancy by focusing on good nutrition, equilibrium, and a positive image.
• During Phase: Has a goal to restore, revitalize, and take the body to higher state of vitality.
• After Phase: Builds energy and reduces stress.

Edamame consults with experts to create massages that are gentle, help with stress and lower back pain, and provide anti-aging treatments that work on stretch marks. Leg treatments relieve water retention, while detoxifying and increasing circulation. Edamame facials help with hormonal changes including dryness, chapping, and dark pigmentation.

When a mom-to-be steps out of the spa area, she enters Destination Maternity where she'll find an array of clothes from Mimi, Motherhood, and Pea in a Pod. Expectant women can also purchase books and vitamins, and participate in free classes that focus on prenatal yoga, belly dancing, college funding, baby astrology, and more. Edamame has even thought about your shopping companions by including a play area and plasma TV to keep them entertained while you get pampered.

"What better time to be pampered? It's very important that during her pregnancy she is calm," says Mona Astra Liss with Edamame. "Studies have shown that stress is not good for baby or mom-to-be. Our spa experience encompasses the total environment—shopping, spa, clothing, vitamins, creams, and more."