A visit or vacation in Austria’s thermal spa region is, as long as you follow a few simple rules, nearly perfect for pregnant women. Whether you’re just starting your pregnancy or the baby’s birth is fast approaching— Pregnant women can be found in the Thermal Baths do themselves and their babies a world of good, truly relax one last time, and recharge their batteries for the remaining weeks of pregnancy and the challenging time ahead as new mothers.
Occasional visits to thermal spas, wellness weekends at thermal spas, and even longer vacations at thermal spas are very popular among Austrians, and generally speaking, everyone Thermal Baths also for Pregnant women suitable. If you're planning a longer stay, it's a good idea to find out whether the hotel also offers special services for pregnant women and expectant fathers.
Why are thermal baths good for pregnant women? What should you keep in mind?
Water
Water is generally very soothing for pregnant women. A warm bath is relaxing and helps you unwind after a stressful day. This is good not only for you, but also for the baby. Swimming—especially backstroke—is the exercise most often recommended for pregnant women. The feeling of weightlessness experienced while bathing and swimming is a nice counterbalance to the feeling of being heavy and clumsy, which often weighs on pregnant women during the final weeks of pregnancy.
Some midwives even offer childbirth preparation classes at thermal spas —mothers and babies are optimally prepared for childbirth, pregnancy discomforts can be effectively alleviated, joints are protected, muscles are gently strengthened, and both mother and baby benefit from the relaxation provided by the warm (or not-so-warm) water.
The fear of contracting an infection through the water via the vagina is actually unfounded—the only time you should be cautious in this regard is in public hot tubs, which should be avoided due to increased levels of fungi and bacteria in the water. One precaution recommended for indoor swimming pools is to insert a tampon with the tip dipped in olive oil before swimming. However, this is a personal decision for every woman and is certainly not a requirement.
However, one thing to watch out for when bathing is the water temperature. Water that is too hot—that is, water above 38°C—can trigger contractions or lead to circulatory problems. For this reason, and also because of the risk of infection, pregnant women should avoid hot tubs!
Sauna Area
Many spas also offer a sauna area. It’s not necessarily recommended to start going to the sauna during pregnancy, but there’s no reason not to continue doing so while you’re pregnant. On the contrary, sauna visits are good for both the mind and body; in particular, water retention can be prevented—or at least positively influenced—by regular sauna sessions. To protect their circulation, pregnant women may want to reduce the frequency of their sauna visits slightly and should under no circumstances push themselves too hard. What feels pleasant is what’s good for you.
Special attention should be paid to scents and infusions in the sauna. Not all herbs and essential oils are suitable for pregnant women! Sauna sessions are prohibited for pregnant women who have high blood pressure, kidney problems, or pregnancy-related cramps.
Massages and Treatments
Especially if you decide to take a spa vacation, you might also want to consider the massages and other treatments offered there. Massages are great for relaxation and for preventing problems; however, especially during the final months of pregnancy, expectant mothers often suffer from heavy legs, back problems, and muscle tension. Massages can provide relief in these cases.
It is important that the massage therapist be familiar with massaging pregnant women, as there are certain things to keep in mind when working with them. Not all massage techniques are appropriate for pregnant women, and there are also areas of the body that should not be massaged during pregnancy or should only be stimulated with caution.
Some spas offer a wide range of massages, relaxation treatments, and beauty services. Aside from herbal treatments, heat therapies, and certain types of massages, pregnant women can participate in almost everything. It’s best to find out before your trip which treatments the hotel offers specifically for pregnant women.
