March 28, 2021, by Maartje

Joe preggers! Treat yourself. Here you go, a whole handful of wonderful hotels with a pregnancy pampering massage option

March 28, 2021, by Maartje

Joe preggers! Treat yourself. Here you go, a whole handful of wonderful hotels with a pregnancy pampering massage option

For the sake of convenience, we assume that you have clicked open this message because you are pregnant (congratulations!) and desperately (but really) in need of a moment of 'nothing for a while+' (if it is the first, but perhaps still more when you still have a few of those beagles running around). That 'nothing for now' is okay and you can settle it with a book and a warm bath, but that +, that's the thing. Because you just, very simply, want to be pampered. Pampered. It's all about you just saying. Win-win because taking care of yourself is also part of it. And lord knows how difficult that can sometimes be. Because that 'pregnancy glow' is nice, but we are/were mainly TIRED and were annoyed by our stretching skin that itched and suddenly developed stretch marks...

Keep it happy, keep it simple

Keep it happy, keep it simple

First of all, do yourself a favor and purchase Naïf's new maternity line. Then you will immediately know why you want to purchase EVERYTHING from the young Dutch brand for your little one, from plastic-free wipes (these are really the finest out there) to shampoo and what not. The makers behind Naïf ensure that all their products are free of all possible junk that you don't want on, around or in your body, and certainly not in your little one's body. Especially when you are pregnant, there are so many things you have to pay attention to and it is nice to know that a product is 100% safe. And then also a product that preaches 'treat yourself'. Thank you Naif.

Oil and Balm

Oil and Balm

There are (currently) two products: a nourishing (massage) oil made from natural oils such as coconut oil and grapeseed oil. Moreover, the oil smells really wonderful and has a soothing effect. And secretly it also works well on the ends of your hair, but Naif may not allow us to say that.

The belly balm is based on sea butter and contains jojoba and argan oil - everything to soften your skin and reduce stretch marks. We would do it. Here you will find the products

Pregnancy massage

Pregnancy massage

But... What is the difference between a pregnancy massage and a normal massage? The most important practical difference is that, if your belly has already grown considerably, you can no longer lie on your stomach. Pregnancy masseurs have a special table with a hole in it OR massage you while you lie on a special bag of water. Delicious. Most hotel spas do not have a special massage table for pregnant women (with such a hole) but some hotels will be happy to arrange a free room for you where you can retreat undisturbed for an hour (or an hour and a half) with a 'masseur at home' . But then in your hotel!

Hotel V in Amsterdam for example, is a good option. They work together with a number of regular masseurs (also pregnancy massages!), but you can also opt for 'Wonderfully Pregnant'. She gives massages from 16 weeks (note! Many masseurs do not massage you when you are 'less advanced'. Reason? If something goes wrong during your pregnancy, they do not want to have to make connections) and uses a massage table and the aforementioned hot water bag to lie on. D-Stress Massage travels throughout the Netherlands with her table. And then you give her that oil of your own. Win-win.

Hotels + spas

Hotels + spas

And while you're busy pampering yourself, be sure to take a look at the range of Dutch hotels with nice spas. Some of those spas may not yet be fully open - because of Corona - (for example, the swimming pools may not be open), but there are a lot of them where you can go for a sauna visit, but more importantly, these are the hotels that have an advantage in terms of involves spa knowledge and always having top tips on how you and your pregnant belly can get the most out of your hotel stay. Bonus points anyway: the hotel restaurants are of course closed, which is a shame, but it also means that hotels try extra hard to make your room cozy. And that means that after your massage you can enjoy a delicious meal (that you don't have to cook yourself) and your book in your own room in your dressing gown. Me-time to the max. Enjoy.