The potential market for pregnant women is huge and a target audience not to be missed out on. If you treat a mum-to-be well, you are likely to be rewarded with regular return business and her loyalty beyond the due date. Not to mention the referral business of her expectant friends: expectant mothers network like no other group of women out there.
Popular treatments for pregnant women:
- Facials to help skin blighted by pregnancy hormones
- Body treatments to help itchy and drying skin and of course stretch marks
- Massage to relieve common aches, pains and fluid retention
- Many women opt for reflexology in a bid to help re -position the baby or induce labour
- 30 week gestation mums - may also be keen for the essential pedicure and waxing to ensure they look nice for their labour day.
Considerations and safety - pregnant clients
Positioning
Past 16 weeks do not lay a mum flat on her back for a treatment. Try laying her on her side or make sure she is semi - reclined, to avoid Vena Cava compression and to show an awareness of the effects of gravity on the baby's position.
Skin
The skin and scalp can react differently due to pregnancy hormones therefore BABTAC would advise to carry out a patch test on the pregnant client. Use a facial treatment to help your mum to be relax her jaw, as this will bring vital benefits to the pelvis and baby's position and is a must for labour. Incorporating some deep breathing into the treatment can be a great way to help release this area.
Fluid retention
Fluid retention can be debilitating to daily life and can slow labour, so use body work as an opportunity to stimulate the Lymph nodes under the arms and groin, to help lymphatic drainage. Remember the itchy skin can sometimes be a sign of an underlying disorder, so suggest your client mentions this to her midwife.
Emotions
Don't forget that the emotional changes are as big a part as the physical changes so provide a calm space to relax and reflect. Resting mum on all fours over some beanbags with soft music playing and some guided breathing is a lovely way to finish your treatment, and shows you are really in tune with the pregnant body.
Considerations and safety - pregnant therapists
Occupations that involve twisting frequently in one direction can cause tightening in the cervical ligaments and pelvic floor, preventing the baby from finding the ideal position. Try working from opposite sides of your therapy table and swap now and then to counteract the twist.
Standing all day will cause increased blood volume to pool leading to swollen ankles and fingers. Elevate your limbs at the end of the day, drink lots of water and try some self massage of the inner thighs to aid lymph drainage.
Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness and fainting, especially if you stand up quickly or are looking downwards a lot. Invest in a hard stable chair or try to use a swivel chair as less, make sure your position is right for you and factor in rest breaks.
To read more about types of treatments for pregnancy including pregnancy massage read our good practice guide on the exclusive BABTAC members area. To read more about pregnancy treatments and insurance visit the BALENS Insurance website.
BABTAC advises to check that your insurance covers complementary therapies before carrying out treatments.
