The Benefits of Floatation for Pregnancy

The best thing about being pregnant - apart from getting a baby at the end, of course - is that it's an excuse to indulge in some serious me-time. There's nothing like a long soak to soothe aches, pains and frazzled nerves, especially if you turn it into a proper pampering session.

Believe it or not, in America, pregnant women are not advised to take baths because of the risk of the hot water making the baby overheat. They're missing a real treat! Baths are perfectly safe as long as your water is no warmer than 37 C (100 F) - that's the same temperature as the amniotic fluid that your baby floats in, so bath time really is a shared experience.

For real water babies, a floatation tank session is a pregnancy must. The float tank is filed with water on 10 inches deep and is heated to the optimum temperature of 37 C. The high concentration of salt means that your body is suspended, giving you a feeling of weightlessness and soothing stress, aches and pains - great for pregnancy backs and feet.

"It was amazing to feel weightless. I was aware of tension draining from my body and my mind went into a state of complete relaxation. As I floated, I felt a strong connection with my baby. It left me blissfully calm." (Z Patterson - 34 Weeks)

While you're floating, your mind produces slow theta brainwaves, which make your thought patterns clearer and more creative, as well as endorphins - the hormones responsible for happiness.

Okay, so the thought of being shut in a dark tank of water sounds a bit scary, but you can open the door or switch the light on at any time; therapists say it's rare to feel claustrophobic.

"It took me a while to relax, but once I got used to it, I felt as if I was half asleep. It eased my backache and made me feel very chilled out, even afterwards, when I was back tackling the rush hour." (Z Patterson - 34 Weeks)

The best news is that floating is safe throughout the whole nine months of pregnancy. Just imagine an hour to yourself, resting in warm water with gentle music soothing your senses and nothing to think about but you and your baby. Just lie back and enjoy...