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Prenatal pampering

For all of you moms-to-be out there, it’s sage advice to take every opportunity to indulge yourself and relax as much as you can, before you enter the tiring, albeit wonderful world of sleepless nights and endless diaper changes. But that can be easier said than done. Massage clinics aren’t always built for those with bulging baby bellies, and spas may use products that contain chemicals unsuitable during pregnancy. Now, however, a new Vancouver spa is filling this niche, specializing in prenatal pampering.

What it is

Som Visao, the city’s first urban ultrasound spa and wellness centre, offers manicures and pedicures ($50-$60), facials (from $125), body wraps (from $80) and all the other services you’d expect from a high-end, luxury spa, but with a twist - all the products they use are proven safe for use during pregnancy.

Special beds and pillows allow you to enjoy a massage in comfort, without fear of squishing your baby. Soothing candles and pale aqua-coloured walls take you away from the grey rain of a Vancouver winter. The spa also has fitness and nutrition experts who offer assessments and personalized plans to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Peek-a-boo

Plus, at Som Visao’s ultrasound room, trained technicians can show you high-tech, 3D ‘entertainment’ images of your little one, while you chill out and watch the action on a 42-inch, plasma screen TV.

For $100, staff can give a 10-minute fetal tour and will take the time to show you your baby’s facial features, fingers and toes, and everything else you might have missed during your standard clinical ultrasound. They will even give an optional gender assessment. This is purely for your pleasure, however; technicians do not give measurements or medical advice.

Other packages include longer, 20-minute peeks inside your belly, as well as stretch mark treatments and other aesthetic treatments, and a take-home CD/DVD to share your baby’s images with friends and family. (Although it is definitely a thrill to see your baby ahead of time, do to keep in mind: While Som Visao assures its 3D ultrasound sessions are completely safe, Health Canada advises that parents do not expose their babies to ultrasound for non-medical purposes.)

Despite its specialty in prenatal care, Som Visao isn’t just for moms-to-be. After all, we could all use a little luxury now and then.

Where to find it

Som Visao Urban Ultrasound, Spa and Wellness Centre is located at 8-3195 Granville St., Vancouver.

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