Pedicures While Pregnant?

CurlieGlamourGirlie · 08-16-2007, 09:14 AM

I'm in dire need of a pedicure and the last time I tried to give myself one, it was not a pretty sight. I know I'm probably overthinking this, but I was curious. I'm worried more about the reflexology and rubbing that they do. (The places I go to are immaculate)

Any guidelines or things I should/should not do?

Amneris · 08-16-2007, 09:17 AM

I got them, and never thought twice about it.

Kaia · 08-16-2007, 09:17 AM

There are pressure points on the inside of your calf/ankle that are thought to stimulate labor. Just tell them not to massage your legs. Massaging the soles of the feet is fine. I think I just gave myself my last pedicure for a while this week. I was huffing and puffing trying to bend over to paint my nails.

geeky · 08-16-2007, 09:18 AM

If you want to be totally safe, just ask them to skip the massage part. THe rest of the pedicure should be fine.

velvet paws · 08-16-2007, 09:21 AM

I've gotten many pedicures while pregnant (I go every two weeks) and never had a problem. There's a point about three finger widths above the ankle bone on the inner leg that is called spleen 6 - this acupressure point is supposed to bring on labor contractions - avoid that and you're golden. Just rubbing over the area won't do anything, it would have to be a very specific, very intentional touch in that spot. And even then, if you aren't ready to go into labor, I really doubt applying pressure to spleen 6 would do anything. Foot rubs feel nice, especially as our supply of relaxin messes with our ligaments and causes foot pain (at least, on me it does).

Anyway, don't overthink, relax, and enjoy your pedicure.

CurlieGlamourGirlie · 08-16-2007, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey422

There are pressure points on the inside of your calf/ankle that are thought to stimulate labor. Just tell them not to massage your legs. Massaging the soles of the feet is fine. I think I just gave myself my last pedicure for a while this week. I was huffing and puffing trying to bend over to paint my nails.

That's where I was a few weeks ago! Perched on the closed toilet and trying to reach my toes!

spiderlashes5000 · 08-16-2007, 09:57 AM

Don't sit on the vibrating chair and don't have them massage near your ankles.

Kaia · 08-16-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

Don't sit on the vibrating chair and don't have them massage near your ankles.

\

Gah! What does the chair do? The chair is the best part!

cympreni · 08-16-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey422

There are pressure points on the inside of your calf/ankle that are thought to stimulate labor. Just tell them not to massage your legs. Massaging the soles of the feet is fine. I think I just gave myself my last pedicure for a while this week. I was huffing and puffing trying to bend over to paint my nails.

Hmm I didn't know that, I made DH give me leg and foot massages all the time while pregnant. But it wasn't very firm massage, I had some minor swelling, and by the end of the day, my calves and feet were tender, and the soles of my feet felt just bruised. Anything more then the gentlest touch and I probably would have kicked him in the face.

Amneris · 08-16-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey422

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

Don't sit on the vibrating chair and don't have them massage near your ankles.

\

Gah! What does the chair do? The chair is the best part!

Yeah, I love the chair!

I recommend keeping up with pedicures the whole 9 months.... it was so awesome to go into labour and head for the hospital knowing no matter what, I had pretty looking toes! A lot of the nurses even commented on them (my toes had butterflies on them.)

PixieCurl · 08-16-2007, 11:09 AM

I'm getting a pedicure tomorrow! I'm hoping it lasts until the baby comes.

And I've heard the same thing velvet paws said - just that one pressure point above the ankle bone. Just let them know you're pregnant, and if they're knowledgeable they'll know what to avoid.

spiderlashes5000 · 08-16-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey422

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

Don't sit on the vibrating chair and don't have them massage near your ankles.

\

Gah! What does the chair do? The chair is the best part!

I read something about the chair. I think I read it in WTEWYAE. The vibrations aren't good for the fetus, apparently. And neither is the direct heat. But i can't find the reference.

Somewhat related:

Q: Are home massages machines dangerous for pregnant women? What about home foot spas?

A: Using a home massage machine is like getting a massage from a therapist who doesn't care you are pregnant and has no training in pregnancy massage - it is not recommended. The instructions of many home massage machines include not to be used during pregnancy. The same applies to home foot spas, the instructions of many home foot spa include not to be used during pregnancy.

Q: If home foot spas are a concern, what about having a pedicure?

A: A pedicure should not include a bubbling foot spa (a foot soak in water is OK, it is the vibration and jets that are a concern). Care should also be used during the foot massage section of a pedicure - a light massage should be alright, but a firmer massage from someone that does not know what areas to avoid on the feet should not be allowed. This is why it is important to see someone with appropriate training.

Anyway, I have had bubbling, heated foot spa pedicures while pregnant...even as recently as about 3 or 4 weeks ago. But I think from now on I'm going to request the jets be turned off...just me, though...

geeky · 08-16-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

I read something about the chair. I think I read it in WTEWYAE. The vibrations aren't good for the fetus, apparently. And neither is the direct heat. But i can't find the reference.

I personally took everything in WTEWYAE with a grain of salt. That should be called What to Panic Irrationally About When You are Expecting

Amneris · 08-16-2007, 11:21 AM

I used a home foot spa, too.... my feet and ankles got swollen at the end and it helped a little. There were way too many things you weren't supposed to do while pregnant for me to keep track of them all.... I think you have to balance that with what makes you feel good about yourself and not go crazy with stress.

Oregano (formerly babywavy) · 08-16-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeky

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

I read something about the chair. I think I read it in WTEWYAE. The vibrations aren't good for the fetus, apparently. And neither is the direct heat. But i can't find the reference.

I personally took everything in WTEWYAE with a grain of salt. That should be called What to Panic Irrationally About When You are Expecting

- ITA. I hated that book. I think by the time I was 4 months pregnant I tossed it. It gave me anxiety!

I got pedicures the entire time I was pregnant w/ dd1.

Amneris · 08-16-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeky

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

I read something about the chair. I think I read it in WTEWYAE. The vibrations aren't good for the fetus, apparently. And neither is the direct heat. But i can't find the reference.

I personally took everything in WTEWYAE with a grain of salt. That should be called What to Panic Irrationally About When You are Expecting

Yep yep!

medussa · 08-16-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey422

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

Don't sit on the vibrating chair and don't have them massage near your ankles.

\

Gah! What does the chair do? The chair is the best part!

Toward the end, none of it put me into labor. I sat in the chair and even massaged my own spleen 6 at home, to no avail.

cosmicfly · 08-16-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeky

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

I read something about the chair. I think I read it in WTEWYAE. The vibrations aren't good for the fetus, apparently. And neither is the direct heat. But i can't find the reference.

I personally took everything in WTEWYAE with a grain of salt. That should be called What to Panic Irrationally About When You are Expecting

Yep. I think it's the only pregnancy book I tossed- it made me anxious.

geeky · 08-16-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicfly

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeky

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

I read something about the chair. I think I read it in WTEWYAE. The vibrations aren't good for the fetus, apparently. And neither is the direct heat. But i can't find the reference.

I personally took everything in WTEWYAE with a grain of salt. That should be called What to Panic Irrationally About When You are Expecting

Yep. I think it's the only pregnancy book I tossed- it made me anxious.

I am sure if you are a worrier to begin with, it could be very reassuring. Same with What To Expect the First Year, I was wondering how anyone even came up with this stuff to worry about.

mad scientist · 08-16-2007, 03:21 PM

I think you can pretty safely go with whatever feels comfortable to you. I found that I had a much lower threshold for pain while pregnant and messing with my cuticles was a total no-go. There was something else too, I can't remember what, that is a normal part of a mani/pedi and it really felt excruciating to me while pregnant.