Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68009
GOT BABY? BODYWORK DURING THE FIRST TRIMESTER For many pregnant women, the first trimester is the most difficult. The level of fatigue or nausea can surprise you during those early weeks of pregnancy. Even before you realize you are pregnant, you might feel flu-like symptoms and think about canceling or rescheduling a client due to the stomach bug you think you caught. Once you've confirmed your pregnancy, however, there is no need to cancel clients due to nausea unless you feel you will actually be sick. The biggest key with morning sickness is to eat small, frequent meals, so a pregnant bodyworker should schedule enough time between clients to snack on a few wheat crackers, a slice of cheese, and a handful of grapes. Eating every hour or so keeps blood sugar levels regulated. Drink some soothing peppermint tea, energizing juice, or water between clients and make sure you allow enough time to grab a quick bite. This might mean you need to decline providing longer spa treatment sessions or two-hour massages. The other thing that helps keep morning sickness at bay is to suck on hard candy. Peppermint candies are traditionally considered very helpful, but others have reported that hard caramels, Life Savers, or Jolly Ranchers can ease nausea while you are trapped in the massage room. Keep a dish of half-unwrapped candies near the table so you can easily grab one and pop it in your mouth without touching the candy itself. Fatigue can also plague many pregnant women during their first trimester. Try keeping a clear spot in your schedule to allow a catnap during the afternoon, even if you aren't able to leave the spa, office, or clinic. Eliminating caffeinated beverages and being sure to get a full night's sleep will also help prevent energy lags in the afternoon. Be sure you touch base with your clients at each visit to find out about their health status. Some illnesses that would be inconvenient or minor to you can be serious to an unborn fetus.² Don't be afraid to ask your clients each week if they or anyone around them has had any sort of infectious illnesses recently. FIRST TRIMESTER CONCERNS WHEN SHOULD I TELL MY CLIENTS? This tricky question doesn't have one answer that will be right for everyone and every situation. If morning sickness or fatigue creates serious problems for you, and you have to move a client around or cancel at the last minute, it might be good to let them know what's going on. My clients have always been very understanding, although my morning sickness only caused minor inconveniences for me. You have to continue working with your clients in a professional way, no matter what happens in your personal life. Make adjustments to your availability as needed, but try not to cancel on clients you've already booked. Women who are high-risk for miscarriage, however, may not want to reveal their pregnancy until they are further along. Or you may not feel comfortable letting your clients know about your personal life. Consider, however, that you will probably not be able to hide your pregnancy past the second trimester and will need to think about how to make the announcement before rumors start flying. WHAT SPA TREATMENTS SHOULD I AVOID? Anything that raises your body's core temperature should be avoided. If you are doing a hot wrap, hot stone massage, or taking care of a client in a sauna or bath type situation, be sure you are not getting overheated. Hot stone massage, for example, won't heat 66 massage & bodywork july/august 2009 your entire core temperature as long as the room itself isn't getting too hot. Any essential oils that are contraindicated for your pregnant clients are also contraindicated for you as a pregnant therapist. Some massage therapists prefer to give up all treatments and massages using essential oils through the entire pregnancy.³ Other pregnant women choose to avoid all essential oils during the first trimester and add back the gentler oils in later months of pregnancy. Generally, the essential oils listed above right are considered safe for use during pregnancy when properly diluted.4 Discuss any concerns you may have with an aromatherapist or your care provider. BODYWORK DURING THE SECOND TRIMESTER Most pregnant women find they have incredible energy levels during the second trimester, making it easy for them to resume a full work schedule. If you avoided telling people you are pregnant during your first trimester, you will not be able to hide it much longer. It is easier to tell clients about your pregnancy if you already have some kind of postpartum plan in place. Even if it is as simple as, "I wanted to let you know that I'm expecting a baby this coming spring and will probably be on maternity leave in April." This gives your clients a heads-up, so they do not get caught off guard by your disappearance. After all, those clients who come every quarter or every other month can plan their appointments around your maternity leave if they know when it will be. The increasing blood volume in your body the second trimester can make you feel more congested and even a bit light-headed. Avoid standing too quickly from a sitting position to help avoid these dizzy