Spa talk, daaa-hling
I need a show of hands. Who has been to a spa? Does this involve pedicures and manicures and facials? I’ve been told that there will be a spa voucher in my room when I arrive at the bee-yoo-tiful hotel, and I’m suddenly glad that I had my daughter give me a home pedicure yesterday.
You know how you panic to clean up the hotel room before the maid comes so she won’t see what a slob you are? Or you run around picking up the house 2 days after giving birth because your friend is coming to help out? It’s like that: It’s been way too much work to reach my toes for longer than I care to tell and I would hate to ask a professional to take the first shift. It takes a daughter’s love to make a sacrifice of that magnitude. It was either that, or hold my breath so I could reach my feet and do it myself, but I didn’t want to risk losing any more brain cells than pregnancy is already using up.
So somebody admit to having been pampered like this and tell me what to expect! Should I take off my makeup before I show up? Will regular clothes be appropriate? I live in skirts; will that work? Will they snicker and sigh because I have a fresh coat of paint on my toes? What do I need to know?
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Ack! I have never done the spa thing so I can’t help you there. I’m sorry!
I have however done the run around like crazy right after giving birth thing to make sure the house was “clean enough” for the people who were bringing meals over to help out. I also did the same when I had stomach flu/food poisoning or something the night before someone was coming over to keep the children for us for a bit. I am admittedly a ridiculously type A personality with a crazy streak. Why do we do things like that to ourselves?
I wouldn’t worry at all about the spa. They won’t laugh, at least not in front of you, and you’ll never see them again so who cares what they think? What to wear depends. If you’re getting a pedicure, then you will want sandals to wear afterwards. If you’re getting a massage or anything, it won’t matter since they’ll have you put on a robe (and nothing else) and then drape you while giving you the massage. If so, I would highly recommend requesting a female attendent (I always do regardless of what I’m getting, I’m just much more comfortable that way).
You are too cute! I’ve done the spa thing (particularly pedicures) in both little storefronts and in swanky spas in places like Manhattan, cruise ships, and Napa. Let me tell you, the spa personnel have seen it ALL! And anyway, once they find out you’re expecting your ninth, they won’t be able to think about anything else. Trust me. Your cuticles and dry skin will take a backseat to the fact that the majority of spa patrons are too concerned about their appearance to subject their bodies to more stretch marks than is absolutely necessary (or erasable by plastic surgery and Botox ;D)
But, then I have been surprised. I had a massage a few weeks ago on a girls’ weekend away, and the masseuse was one of eight children herself. She had two homebirths, too, so we had a great time talking. She was so supportive!
Have fun!
I have heard the facials are nice, because they give you a neck and shoulder rub too. Way relaxing. I would get a pedicure too, because your feet will look amazing and they give nice leg rubs. Don’t worry what they think. That spa probably gives treatments to people from all over the world, so they have seen it all.
I would go for a massage especially in your condition, they are fantastic and the staff should be completely profesional you can keep your undergarments on if your uncomfortable but I wouldn’t recomend it.
I’ve done a bit of spa-ing, and laughed at Kendra’s remark - really, once they hear how many kids you have, they’ll fall all over to make you comfortable and blessed. Because they only-have-two-kids-because-any-more-would-drive-them-nuts
-and-how-do-you-DO-it?!, they’ll feel mother-guilt and will bless your socks off.
Unless you get a guy. He won’t have mother-guilt. You’re on your own, then.
But I wouldn’t recommend a guy. I would definitely go for a woman, and enjoy the experience. I don’t personally like the hot wax treatments (pedicure and manicures I’m speaking of here), but you might. But I love a good pedicure, especially when I’m pregnant; a manicure is nice, too, but I find that polish stays on my fingernails for all of 45 minutes with my busy life, so I rarely get one of those; and a massage would feel wonderful if they either have a massage CHAIR, or a table with the drop-down center for your little belly, fat chick.
Show up as you are (skirt, make up, toe-polish), and they’ll do just fine.
No worries.
Chill out about the spa. You’ll have a great time.
Don’t worry if you have makeup or nail polish on already. They’ll remove it if they need to.
I highly recommend massages over all other spa treatments — incredibly relaxing. If that’s not an option, consider a pedicure and/or manicure — also incredibly relaxing but not as decadant. At my age — and given how little I want someone else messing with my face — I usually skip the facial because inevitably they’ll start picking apart my skincare regime and tsk tsking over all my pores and I’ll leave wanting to slap someone.
Enjoy!
I have only been to a spa once, for a couple treatment with my husband. There was no manicure, no pedicure, just us locked in a steam room with a shower and a bunch of stuff with which to exfoliate, moisturize and scrub. It was awesome, and I recommend it highly for married people.
I have had 2 encounters with something like this…the first time I got a pedicure (4 children ago!), the lady said “Um, do you work with your hands?” Me “Oh, no. I mean, just wash dishes etc…” Her: shaking head, “Wow, your hands really need some attention!”
The second time my dh gave me a day at a spa for a gift and I wisked away there. I was sitting down for my pedicure when I realized how horribly long it had been since I’d shaved my legs…YUCKO. This is winter in a very cold climate, so who would see ‘em?!? Yeah, I’m sure that young gal loved that!
(PS. For some reason I could comment a couple of posts ago…but that picture of The Boy and his dog is PRICELESS and could win a prize for sure! Is The Boy really sleeping?!?!)
I heart the spa, though it’s an unaffordable luxury these days. If you’re getting a facial, yes, remove makeup. A mani-pedi (manicure, pedicure) is great, facials are so my favorite. They’ll wash your hands/feet/face, rub moisturizer in, give you a massage (and a good face massage will de-age you like nobody’s business!). But no worries if you have makeup on; you might skip the horror at seeing what comes off your face even when you’re not wearing any!
My one big tip is the tip- even if you have the spa trip paid for, tip about 20% of the “real” price. Just like everything else in the hotel/restaurant business.
I am a spa fan, but only because my husband has made me one. During my first pregnancy I got bi-weekly pregnancy massages which were fab. As we have more children we can afford them less, but I still love them the same. Hubs blesses me in numerous ways but he jokes that he didn’t get his training in massages and pedicures and would rather allow someone else the pleasure of using their training.
I don’t wear makeup but since you do I would advise you to remove it. I don’t think the skirt would be a big deal because I have worn them many times as well.
I am not a fan of manicures (not really sure why I just am not) but I do love a good pedi because they will rub your feet and your legs and then you wont want to stand up when it is done. I am with Jana make sure your legs are up to par, but even if they aren’t it isn’t like you are going to see these people on a frequent basis.
If they have that hot stone therapy, I would take up that in a heart beat I had it done once and it was fabulous!
I also don’t get massaged by men, it bothers me so I always request the women ;).
Have fun and enjoy yourself!
I have been to the spa a few times. And it is wonderful. A few tips…..don’t wear makeup if getting a facial.
Don’t shave the day of or before (little nicks can get infected). You can wear nail polish….they should take it off with remover.
I don’t really enjoy manicures, but pedicures are great. Especially when pregnant!
Enjoy your trip!
Hi Kim,
I was wondering which spa it was! We live in San Diego and if it is Bella Tosca it is WONDERFUL! I had a preggy massage there a couple of years ago. It was too wondeful for words. Have a great time!
Elizabeth
I’ll never forget my first pedicure… the lady had a strong accent but I could clearly, embarrassingly understand her as she said she had never seen such hairy feet. (blushing)
Remember that there are pressure points throughout the body which can cause pre-term labor. You want to be sure that the masseuse is familiar with pregnancy massage before you dive into bliss.
Meg the midwife