Float therapy can put you into a meditative state, which makes for a blissful experience any time you visit a float spa. It’s a clever relaxation technique that many people say soothes their physical and mental stress. There are so many benefits, but even so, women with certain medical conditions might wonder whether floating is a good idea.
Pregnancy is a beautiful milestone in a person’s life, but it can cause physical and mental side effects that make the experience downright miserable. If you’re pregnant and want to do a float, it’s important to understand how floatation therapy can affect you and your baby. Let’s look at the safety and benefits and what you need to consider about float therapy while pregnant.
The basics of floatation tank therapy during pregnancy
Pregnant bodies are already working double-time to support both you and the new life you’re growing. As your pregnancy progresses, it adds a lot of additional weight and pressure to your muscles and joints. It’s easy to feel exhausted from that alone, not to mention everything else you need to take care of in your life.
Float tank therapy is an effective form of relaxation that pregnant women are increasingly turning to as a way to manage stress and pain. It’s also used by athletes, busy professionals, and anyone who wants a moment of serenity and relaxation in their otherwise busy lives. At Krysus HP, expectant mothers get their own float pods in a private room. The flotation tank is filled with body-temperature water that contains over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. This gives you a feeling of weightlessness in a sensory deprivation tank. It’s silent and dark inside the tank, although you can turn on lights or soothing music if you want.
Is float tank therapy safe for pregnant women?
Yes, floating is generally as safe as taking a bath. In fact, float tank therapy is growing in popularity among expectant mothers who want more natural ways of reducing their not-so-fun symptoms. Many doctors recommend swimming as a form of exercise for pregnant women, and floating is a similar way you can experience relaxing weightlessness.
There are no definitive studies on the benefits of floating and pregnancy and there is no evidence to suggest that float tank therapy is harmful to you or your baby.
The Epsom salts in a float tank contain magnesium sulfate, which you absorb through your skin. Again, there’s no evidence that absorbing magnesium salts is harmful to you or your baby. In some cases, it could even be beneficial.
You don’t have to worry about cleanliness with a float, either. Krysus HP asks all floaters to shower before and after their float to keep the tanks sparkling clean. The salinity of the water naturally kills bacteria, and each float pod has a filter to keep the water clean, too. Krysus HP’s team regularly cleans every pod after every session to ensure it stays hygienic for our floaters.
The benefits of float tank therapy during pregnancy
Floatation tank therapy can reduce anxiety and even lower your blood pressure, which are big benefits to pregnant women who choose to float. If you’re weighing whether to try float therapy while pregnant, there are six major benefits to floatation tank therapy while you’re expecting.
1. Enjoy natural relief
While you should definitely talk to your doctor about pain relief options, many pregnant women opt for floats as a natural alternative to pregnancy-related discomfort. If you want to relax and reduce muscle pain in one go, float tank therapy is a safe and natural alternative that’s worth a try.
2. Reduce anxiety
Pregnancy is hard on your body, and the surge of hormones can make it harder to cope with increased feelings of stress and anxiety. It’s easy to feel nervous, on edge or upset during pregnancy — all thanks to the tidal wave of hormones in your body.
These feelings will come and go, but float tank therapy can help you better manage pregnancy-related anxiety. Float tanks give expectant mothers a sense of calm after each session. Many women report a reduction in anxiety after a float, which is excellent for both mom and baby.
3. Lower blood pressure and improve circulation
If your doctor told you to manage your blood pressure, float therapy can be a fun addition to your routine. Float tank therapy turns down the noise with sensory deprivation. It’s dark and quiet in the pods, which many floaters find to be soothing. Since it’s naturally relaxing, a float can even lower your blood pressure by reducing anxiety. By lowering your blood pressure, you can improve oxygen circulation to both yourself and the baby, which you both need to stay healthy.
4. Reduce pain and swelling
Krysus HP’s float tanks contain over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. This is the very same Epsom salt taht you use at home when you take a hot bath.
Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which can help minimize physical aches and pains. The salt also makes the water incredibly buoyant, which can give you almost instant relief from the added pressure on your joints and muscles.
If you’re experiencing sciatica pain, the weightlessness of a float tank session can literally take the weight off of you. Floating can also reduce the pressure on your joints, which can sometimes reduce painful swelling in your ankles and feet.
5. Baby bonding
Did you know that float tank therapy can feel similar to being in the womb? It removes outside distractions and worries so you can feel calm and weightless. In fact, it’s so quiet that you can hear your baby’s heartbeat in the silence of the float tank. This makes for a fun, distraction-free bonding experience for you and your baby. It’s truly a special bonding moment during an otherwise hectic season of life.
6. Sleep soundly
It’s very difficult to get a good night’s rest when you’re pregnant, especially in the third trimester. The lack of sleep will not only drive you crazy, but it can also lead to poorer health outcomes for you and the baby.
Float therapy can minimize physical pain and mental stress, making it easier for you to have a better night’s sleep. Many pregnant floaters report sleeping like a baby after their first float.
If you find that you’re really groggy after a float, make sure you have a ride home so you can go to sleep as soon as your session ends.
What you need to know about float tank therapy while pregnant
It’s understandable to feel nervous or unsure if this is your first time doing float therapy while pregnant. If you’re interested in floating, here are a few things you need to keep in mind.
See your doctor first
Every pregnancy is unique, so you should always consult your doctor before floating. Even if you have a complication-free experience, it’s best to talk to your doctor before you float. People with certain medical conditions, like seizures, should avoid floating. If you’re pregnant and you also have other medical conditions, the risks can outweigh the benefits. It’s best to have a clean bill of health from your doctor before you book a float therapy session — just in case.
Getting in and out of the tank
While you’re free to float during all three trimesters, you do need to be able to get in and out of the float tank without assistance. It might be tough to do a 90-minute float without a bathroom break, and you’ll need to be able to get out of the tank solo to do that. This is also necessary in the event you feel nauseous in the pod or if you just want a break.
Of course, if you need help, additional props, or anything else during your float, simply press the communication button in your room and Krysus HP’s team will step in to help.
Eat a light, filling snack beforehand
It’s normal, if it’s your first time floating, to feel nauseous because of the lack of gravity in a sensory deprivation pod. Eating a large meal before floating can make you feel uncomfortable while floating — and you certainly don’t want to skip a meal, which can make you feel dizzy. Instead, eat a light, high-protein snack shortly before floating.
It’s also a good idea to avoid drinking a lot of liquids right before you float, so you don’t need to make as many bathroom trips.
Use plenty of props
If this is your first time trying float therapy while pregnant, it can be tough to find the best position. The good news is that, with the right equipment, you can find a cozy position for your float.
Krysus HP provides float pillows and pool noodles that pregnant floaters can use to stay comfortably afloat. Use as many as you need to find the right position.
Try different positions
Speaking of which, you may need to try a few different positions. In the first trimester, you’ll likely still be able to lie on your back. Pregnant women normally shouldn’t lie on their backs on a hard surface, but it’s okay in the weightlessness of the tank.
If that isn’t comfortable, you can try belly floating. This is more common in the third trimester, where you need to relieve the pressure on your back. To stay upright in the water, you’ll need to use a pool noodle under your chin to keep your face out of the water.
You can also turn to your side if lying on your back or your belly sounds uncomfortable. Krysus HP pods are wide enough that you can stretch out without touching the sides of the tank, so experiment with different positions to find what’s comfortable for you.
Avoid floating after 37 weeks of pregnancy
You can float during all three trimesters of pregnancy. However, if you’re very late into your pregnancy and due to give birth any day, it’s best to avoid floating. This is the same reason why airlines ask pregnant women to avoid flying in the final days of their pregnancies. Since baby could arrive at any moment, it’s best to avoid floating if there’s a chance that your water could break while you’re in the float tank.
Yes, You Can Floating while pregnant
Moms give so much of themselves, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. As a mom-to-be, it’s important to indulge in some self-care. Relish the weightless, gravity-free experience that is float therapy.
Overall, it’s safe to take part in floating during pregnancy. It can help ease the discomfort of stress of pregnancy, which can offer much-needed relief during this hectic time.
Of course, you should always check with your doctor to ensure that floating while pregnant is a fit with your unique medical history. Overall, floating is a safe and effective way to manage discomfort during pregnancy.
Ready to book your float tank session? Get in touch with Krysus HP to enjoy the benefits of float tank therapy while pregnant.
