What to expect when you're expecting (57 page)

Try some nonscents. Ask for an unscented lotion or oil, not only because your pregnancy-sharpened sniffer might be offended by strong fragrances, but also because some aromatherapy oils can stimulate contractions; see below.

Rub the right spots (and stay away from the wrong ones). Direct pressure on the area between the anklebone and heel can trigger contractions, so be sure your therapist stays away from there (another good reason to choose a massage therapist with prenatal training). He or she should also probably stay away from the abdomen area for comfort’s sake. And if your therapist is working too deeply or if the massage is too intense, speak up. This is about you feeling good, after all.

Aromatherapy.
When it comes to scents during pregnancy, it’s good to use some common sense. Because the effects of many plant oils in pregnancy are unknown and some may be harmful, approach any kind of aromatherapy with caution. The following essential oils are considered safe for prenatal
massage, though experts recommend that the oils be mixed at a concentration that’s half the standard usage. rose, lavender, chamomile, jasmine, tangerine, neroli, and ylang-ylang. Pregnant women should particularly avoid the following oils because some of them can trigger uterine contractions: basil, juniper, rosemary, sage, peppermint, pennyroyal, oregano, and thyme. (Midwives often use these oils during labor precisely because they trigger contractions.) If you’ve had an aromatherapy massage with these oils (or used them in home baths or treatments), don’t worry. The absorption of the oil is very low, especially because the skin on your back is pretty thick. Just steer clear of them in future treatments. Scented lotions or beauty products sold at bath and beauty shops (like peppermint foot lotion, for instance) are fine since the scents aren’t concentrated.

Body treatments, scrubs, wraps, hydrotherapy.
Body scrubs are generally safe, as long as they’re gentle (some scrubs can be too vigorous for sensitive pregnant skin). Some herbal wraps can be safe, but most are off-limits because they might raise your body temperature excessively. A short warm bath (no hotter than 100°F) as part of hydrotherapy is safe and relaxing, but stay out of the sauna, steam room, and hot tub.

A Day at the Spa

Ahhhh, the spa. No one deserves–and needs–a day of pampering more than an expectant mother. And happily, more and more spas are offering treatments specifically catering to the pregnant set. But before you head off for your day of pampering, check out this chapter and ask your practitioner for any specific caveats for your situation. Then, when you call to make your appointment, tell the receptionist that you’re expecting. Discuss any restrictions you may have so the spa can tailor treatments to fit your needs. Also be sure to inform any esthetician or therapist who will be working on you that you’re pregnant.

Tanning beds, sprays, lotions.
Looking for a way to go beyond the pale (pale skin, that is) during your pregnancy? Sorry, but tanning beds are out. Not only are they bad for your skin, they up your chances of getting chloasma (the skin discoloration called the “mask of pregnancy”). Worse, tanning beds can raise your body temperature to a level that could be harmful to your developing baby. Still a fan of the tan? Before you fake it with sunless tanning lotions and sprays, talk to your practitioner. And even if you get the go-ahead, consider that your hormones can cause your skin to play games with the color (and take a turn for the terra-cotta). Plus, as your belly expands, applying a sunless tanner evenly might get tricky (especially once you can no longer see your legs, and even if you’re getting a spray-on tan).

For information on the safety of tattoos, henna, and piercings during pregnancy, check out
pages 160
and
180
.

Yes, even your hands and feet will show the effects of pregnancy (though you won’t be able to see the effects on your feet once you reach the third trimester). But even when you’re feeling swell—as in fingers and ankles that are puffy with fluids—your hands and feet can still look their best.

Making Up for Pregnancy

Between breakouts, funky skin discolorations, and normal pregnancy swelling, your face will be facing some challenges over the next nine months. Luckily, you’ll be able to make up for them with the right makeup:

Go under cover. Corrective concealer and foundation can cover a multitude of pregnancy skin issues, including chloasma and other discolorations (see
page 240
). For those dark spots, look for brands that are designed to cover hyperpigmentation, but make sure all makeup is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic. Match both to your skin tone, but select a concealerthat’s a shade lighter than your natural complexion. Apply the concealer only to the dark spots, stippling the edges to blend. Then lightly blend the foundation over the area. Less is defi nitely more when it comes to heavy coverage products, so use the least you can get away with you can always top it off. Set with powder.

       Keep coverage lighter when it comes to pregnancy pimples to avoid calling attention to them (they’ll likely call enough attention to themselves). Start with foundation, thenapply a concealer that matches your skin directly to the zit, blending with your finger. If you’re going to prespot before you cover up, use a pregnancyapproved topical that’s clear.

Play with shadows. Chip away at those chipmunk cheeks you’ll likely be growing: After you’ve applied your all-over foundation, apply a highlighting shade (one shade lighter) to the center of your forehead, under your eyes, on the tops of your cheekbones, and on the tip of your chin. Then brush a contouring shade (one shade darker) down the sides of your face, starting at the temples. Blend, and presto instant cheekbones!

Stop the spread. Sure, you expect your belly to plump up, and maybe even your hips but your nose? Don’t worry any widening is temporary, the result of pregnancy swelling. Slim a swollen sniffer by applying a highlighting shade (one shade lighter than your overall foundation) down the center of your nose; then contour the vertical edges of the sides of your nose with a darker shade. Make sureyou blend well.

Manicure and pedicure.
It’s perfectly safe to polish while pregnant (and take advantage now because it’s likely that your nails are growing faster and stronger than ever). If you get your nails done in a salon, make sure it’s a well-ventilated one. Inhaling those strong chemical smells is never a good idea but especially not when you’re breathing for two (and at the very least, the fumes might make you queasy). Do be sure the manicurist doesn’t massage the area between your anklebone and heel when you’re getting your pedicure (it could theoretically trigger contractions). As for acrylics, there’s no proof that the chemicals are harmful, but you might want to err on the cautious side and forgo those tips until postbaby—not only because the application smell can be extremely strong, but because they can become a nail bed for infection, something you might be more prone to while you’re pregnant. And remember, you may not need the extra length or strength of acrylics anyway because your nails will be growing at warp speed.

E
VEN IF YOU’RE NOT TELLING
anyone you’re expecting yet, and though no one around you could possibly know (unless you’ve already blabbed the big news), your baby’s certainly spilling the beans to you. Not in so many words, but in so many symptoms. Like that nagging nausea that follows you wherever you go, or all that excess saliva pooling in your mouth (am I
drooling
?). Like the gotta-go feeling you’re getting all day (and all night), and that 24/7 bloat you just can’t seem to deflate. Even with all this evidence you’re pregnant, you’re probably still getting used to the idea that a new life is developing inside you (after all, you’ve just found out for sure you’ve got a baby—and not a stomach bug—on board). You’re also probably just getting used to the demands of pregnancy, from the physical (so that’s why I’m tired!) to the logistical (the shortest route to the bathroom is …) to the dietary (make my Sea Breeze a virgin). It’s a wild ride, and it’s only just beginning. Hold on tight!

Week 5
Your little embryo, which at this point resembles a tadpole more than a baby (complete with teeny tail), is growing fast and furious and is now about the size of an orange seed—still small, but a lot bigger than it’s been. This week, the heart is starting to take shape. In fact, the circulatory system, along with the heart, is the first system to be operational. Your baby’s heart
(about the size of a poppy seed) is made up of two tiny channels called heart tubes—and though it’s still far from fully functional, it’s already beating—something you might be able to see on an early ultrasound. Also in the works is the neural tube, which will eventually become your baby’s brain and spinal cord. Right now the neural tube is open, but it will close by next week.