Let’s face it. It isn’t easy being pregnant and as it gets closer to one’s estimated date of delivery (EDD), the weight of the child can start to really weigh a mum-to-be down.
It’s times like these when a good massage can really go a long way towards alleviating some of the tension and body aches that are inevitable during pregnancy.
And yet, it isn’t always easy to find a spa that caters to the pre-natal market. For one, some who do not have therapists who are trained in pre-natal massage will not take you in if you’re pregnant (and rightly so) and even those who have skilled therapists on hand have rules in place and will only accept customers when they’re past their first trimester or the 20-week mark.
Boy, do I remember those days well. When I was pregnant, as a first time mum, I erred on the side of caution for everything, especially when choosing a location for pre-natal massage. So when our chief executive mummy Dolores was pregnant with her latest baby Laura (read her birth story here) and craving a good massage, we went on the hunt for a suitable place to go.
We struck gold when we came across Singapore’s largest luxury spa, ESPA at Resorts World Singapore. Spanning some 10,000 sqm, the space includes 24 multi-functional treatment rooms and vitality pools amid lush greenery and ocean views.
Dolores had the chance to experience their pre-natal treatment which was a deeply nourishing body treatment designed to target areas prone to stress and tension during pregnancy. The treatment that is recommended for those past their first trimester and includes body exfoliation, body massage and mask and a scalp massage to round things off.
Dolores was particularly impressed by their attention to detail remarking that they changed her tea to a decaffeinated version without prompting — “you’d be surprised how many spas overlook this point”, she said — and that her therapist was both excellent and knowledgeable.
As for me, with my daughter only a few months old at that time, I took the opportunity to try their post-natal treatment which can be personalised to suit your post baby needs whether you need to tone and firm your skin, aid weight loss or simply relax and restore. With a lack of sleep, I was certainly in need of some restoration and was pleased that the treatment went some way towards helping to tone and firm my post-natal body.
Both of our treatments were executed using the ESPA nourishing body oil (contains Vitamin E and calendula) that doesn’t use essential oils and is safe for both pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding (as I was at that time) and we really liked how moisturising the oil was.
But what really impressed us was the facilities which were well-maintained, clean and best of all, private. I even had the opportunity to comfortably pump milk in the changing area without anyone batting an eyelid.
All in, ESPA is a great choice for new mothers and mothers-to-be who are looking for a spa. Yes, it is slightly off the beaten track, but once there, it is as though you have been transported to a different world and makes for a nice compromise if you cannot travel out of the country. Our top tip: make sure to arrive an hour earlier or factor in extra time to make sure of ESPA’s extensive facilities such as the sleep zone (pictured above) and relaxation lounge to really get bang for your buck. If you’re looking for a pampering experience, this is certainly the place to be.
Pre-natal ($200++ for 60 mins, $280++ for 90 mins including exfoliating treatment). Post-natal ($200++ for 60 mins, $280++ for 90 mins). For more information and bookings, please click here.
