I heard someone say recently that she got her first pregnancy massage the week before her due date and loved it so much that she wished she had been getting them the whole pregnancy. So I was keen to book in for one sooner rather than later.
I mean I love massages anyway and when I’m travelling in places like Southeast Asia, I’m a complete queen and get at least two a week (they’re just so cheap!). In the UK, I can’t always warrant the expense so getting a massage is definitely a treat. But during pregnancy, massages are super beneficial for both you and the baby. They’re seen as more of a way of looking after yourself and relaxing before the birth, than a total indulgence.
I’m also practicing hypnobirthing at the moment, which I’ll definitely write about at some point, but part of it is to keep your mind and body relaxed and calm to pump those good endorphins round! Self care is mandatory, which I’m loving.
So as part of my Babymoon Series, I was keen to try out a mum-to-be spa day package.
Not just because I’m all about this hypnobirthing, relax-as-much-as-possible lifestyle these days, but also because I think it’s a lovely thing to do with your baby daddy before the new arrival.
I really loved our Babymoon to the Algarve earlier this month (read about it over here, lads), but I’m aware that not everyone can afford to splash out on a holiday when you have a baby on the way. Or particularly wants to. Sometimes you just want to stay close to home and feel a bit safer, just in case.
So a spa day package felt like a great idea for a Babymoon, and I chose to visit the beautiful Eden Hall in Nottinghamshire for ours. Here’s how we got on.
Eden Hall Spa Day
I had a lovely arrival at Eden Hall (after a 1 hour 20 mins drive from MK), and was greeted with a welcome hot chocolate and given my itinerary for the day. I mean you’re starting your day off right when you kick off with a hot choc, aren’t you?
But generally I got good vibes from the place, right off the bat. It’s a historic building from 1875 but feels very warm and welcoming. Especially on a rainy Sunday in October, it definitely felt like a little retreat!
I enjoyed their pregnancy-focused Mother-To-Be Day Spa package on this trip and Josh was on their Simply Spa Day basic package. Both included full use of the facilities for the day and a three course lunch. But mine also included a lovely 55 minute Mother-To-Be massage!
I thought that it was only right that Josh enjoyed a massage too, I mean Dads-To-Be are also stressed out so deserve a little treat! So I booked him onto the Clarin’s Mens Energising Back, Neck & Scalp Massage.
Our massages were scheduled in the morning so after wandering the spa in our cosy robes and having a nice cappuccino in the light and airy conservatory lounge area, we headed for our treatments.
Mother-To-Be Massage
Anita was doing my treatment and was really lovely and understanding during my consultation, asking about my pregnancy and any annoying aches and pains I was experiencing. I told her I had some lower back pain and was getting leg cramps so she adapted the massage to address my target areas.
I wasn’t entirely sure how different a pregnancy massage would be from a regular massage, but really the main difference is that you obviously can’t lie on your front. So after an initial facial cleanse, you start off laying on one side, getting one half of your back and one leg massaged, then switch over for the other side. I liked that the bed had been padded for extra comfort and I got some cushions to put between my legs so I was super comfortable. I just wish my bed at home was like this, I would sleep so much better!
This back part was really nice though and definitely helped with my aches and pains. Anita also said she did some special drainage moves on my legs to help with the cramps and restless legs I’ve been experiencing. Score.
After each side I laid on my back for a foot massage, arm and hand massage, shoulder massage, facial and scalp massage. What a bloody dream. I felt like jelly afterwards!
A few people have asked me whether the masseuse touches your bump during a pregnancy massage, and she did for about a minute or two. She asked me during my consultation if I was comfortable with it first and I said yes. And it just involved applying some cream to my stomach. I admit it did put me on edge a bit, even though it was really gentle. I think naturally you feel protective of the bump, so I don’t know if I would have this part again. Like I said, it was really nice but just took me out of my relaxed state for a few minutes, y’know?
Anita did use lots of lovely pregnant-friendly products though, including creams to promote elasticity (to avoid stretch marks), a nice cooling gel on my legs and lovely moisturising products on my face. I already want to book another pregnancy massage asap!
After the treatment you’re taken to a special little post-treatment conservatory where you can chill for a few minutes before heading back to the main facilities. I met Josh in here after his – he really liked his massage too and said it was really firm and relaxing.
Thermal Spa Suite
Then it was time to enjoy the spa facilities!
I’ve come to terms with the fact that there are a few spa things that I can’t enjoy whilst pregnant. You’re not allowed to use hot stuff like hot-tubs or saunas as they raise your body temperature too high, which is not good for baby. So to be honest I had resigned myself to the fact that I probably couldn’t use most things in Eden Hall’s Thermal Spa Suite.
But actually there were a couple of winners in there that I could enjoy!
In particular I really liked the Foot and Shoulder Massage Seat which cascades warm salt water over your back whilst your feet enjoy a mini-massage from the jets. Super relaxing.
Josh said the saunas and steam rooms were great too, there are definitely a large of selection of them to try! You can just go from one to the other for a few minutes at a time, it’s quite fun. Ooh and there are really lovely outdoor hot tubs that I really wish I could’ve tried out! I love an outdoor hot tub during the winter, it just feels so lovely to be all snug and warm when it’s cold out.
But on this trip, I mainly enjoyed the pool. It’s light and airy, with lots of water features, like jets to massage your back and a big whirlpool that feels like you’re in a washing machine! Relaxing but also quite fun trying it all together and having a giggle.
Lunch Time
Like I said, a three course lunch was included in our spa day packages, so we headed to the dining area for our meal.
I always think it’s a little weird eating in a spa because everyone’s still in their robes. I always think it feels a bit like rehab or something!
But it was a delicious meal with a large selection to choose from for each course. I had a tomato soup to start and a pasta bolognaise for my main. And you could have whatever you wanted from the buffet too – mainly breads and dips and salads and sides. But honestly the buffet was amazing! It was the second-best part!
The best part? DESSERT. Holy shit, this white chocolate and ginger cheesecake was amazing. Definitely the showstopper of the meal.
And with that relaxed spa-vibe, you just mosey on back to the spa facilities when you’re ready.
Relaxing Vibes
After lunch we went to the chill-out area, made up of an airy conservatory and a rooftop terrace area. But y’know, this was October so we mainly stayed inside!
And it was actually super chilled and cosy. There are comfy sofas, magazines, blankets and even hot water bottles in here! And you can order snacks and hot drinks from waiters so don’t have to move. Ugh, it’s just a dream.
It’s weird, I think when you picture a spa day, you look forward to the lovely treatments and cool spa facilities, but actually it’s these little cosy areas that really make the experience. It’s when you really relax and take the time out to just be comfortable and calm. Total hygge vibes for Autumn.
We also made a little stop in Eden Hall’s Slumber Lounge.
The Slumber Lounge is a quiet area dedicated to people wanting some peace and quiet and maybe a little snooze. It’s dimly lit and has lots of lovely areas to relax. But I really loved the hanging pods! Two of you can fit in there and it’s just so cosy with lots of pillows. Your own little cocoon.
I would’ve spent longer in there for sure, but alas, it was home time.
Heading Home
I have to have a little shout out here to the changing facilities I got to experience before heading home. Lovely big showers complete with delicious Elemis products to use, a massive vanity area with lots of hairdryers and mirrors and the like, and big private changing cubicles. I liked it a lot and felt like it maintained my relaxed vibe.
Sometimes in changing rooms if it’s busy or too small it can burst my chilled out bubble, but not at Eden Hall. I just felt mega relaxed for the rest of the day.
VERDICT: Is a Spa Day Good For a Babymoon?
I mean I think you can see I had an A+ Sunday at Eden Hall Spa. But was it a good option for a Babymoon break with your baby daddy?
For sure.
I mean there’s no doubt that spa days are targeted at women so Josh was definitely in the minority here! But what I’m starting to learn about Babymoons is that it’s not so much where you go or what you do, but more about spending some one-on-one time as a couple. Cheesey I know, but it’s true!
And y’know what, growing a baby is stressful for both of us, so being super relaxed was definitely a plus for this kind of getaway.
Similarly to the Babymoon abroad, I also found that being just the two of us, away from home, we didn’t even talk that much about the pregnancy or the baby! And I think that’s what’s so great about Babymoons in general, no matter what you do. It’s a nice chance to escape reality and all of the stresses at home and just be us. Even if it’s just for a day.
What do you think of Eden Hall? Would you do a spa day as a Babymoon option?
Let me know what you think in the comments below or head on over to my Instagram or Twitter channels for regular updates on my travels, my pregnancy and life in general.
Total Blogger Transparency: I enjoyed a complimentary visit to Eden Hall but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own, I wouldn’t play you like that, shorty. FYI, most images in this post are my own but have been supplemented with a few press photos courtesy of Eden Hall.