Dados, Mello Mama

Dados is a feminine haven par excellence. Decorated in all shades of pink and brimming with sparkles and luxurious fabric, this is a place where you’re free to indulge your inner girly-girl. Dados offers six different treatments for pregnant women, from Lighten Up, a treatment for the feet and legs, to Mello Mama, an hour-long body massage, which I’d come to try out for myself. As any pregnant woman knows, there are lots of caveats for almost everything you might want to do, and massage is no exception. Dados, along with all the spas featured here, won’t treat any woman in the first trimester because of possible risks to the mother and baby. After this, however, massage is considered safe, providing the therapist you have is specially trained, and the products used are considered safe during pregnancy. To this end, Dados uses a range called Mama Mio, with has been specially designed for expectant mums.

The treatment room was decked out with black satin curtains and sparkly lights. The friendly and knowledgeable therapist invited me to lie down on my side with a pillow between my knees, which for me is the most comfortable position for sleep, so this, combined with the dim lighting and soothing music, made me relax immediately. The touch of the therapist was light but masterful. The treatment aims to boost circulation, ease tired muscles and reduce swelling. The therapist asked me if I had any specific aches and pains, and focussed on these areas, whilst allowing me a very valuable hour of me-time, soon to become a very rare commodity after the baby’s arrival. At QR275, I felt the massage was good value. Afterwards, I emerged back into the Doha sunshine feeling calm and smelling divine, and already rather excited about another section I’d just spotted in the Dados brochure – post-natal treatments.
Dados, Al Seal Residence, West Bay (498 0033; www.dadosbeauty.com). Mello Mama, 60 minutes, QR275

Bliss, Great Expectations

The Bliss Spa at the W Hotel is a polished five-star environment clearly designed with indulgence in mind. I was shown into the spacious changing area, complete with sauna and steam room (yet another activity out of bounds to pregnant women, alas), then instructed to put on a robe and head into the lounge, where there are complimentary drinks and snacks available as you wait. Great Expectations is an all-over body treatment, and the therapist’s touch was much firmer than at Dados, clearly focussed on dealing with the, ahem, less firm areas of my limbs (getting less and less firm as the pregnancy progresses, I fear) and easing the knots out of my stressed-out muscles. I particularly enjoyed the head and face massage, and the use of the cucumber cooling face pack, which encouraged me to close my eyes and relax as the therapist went about her work.

Afterwards I returned to the changing rooms and enjoyed a multi-jet shower using Bliss products, and found samples of skin and hair products for my use in the dressing area, which was a nice touch. All these little extras add to the luxurious atmosphere, which you’d certainly expect for the five-star prices. Still, if you’ve got the cash to splash, this is an ideal place to retire to for an hour or two to relax and ponder the impending demands of motherhood. I certainly did.
Bliss Spa, W Hotel, West Bay (453 5555; www.blissworld.com). Great Expectations, 75 minutes, QR600

Angsana Spa, Rhythmic Massage

The Angsana Spa, located at the Grand Regency Hotel, offers a rhythmic massage specially designed for expectant mothers. Whilst lying on your side, the therapist will use gentle strokes and a rice flour patch dipped in warm oil to soothe your aching muscles and your stressed-out, expectant state of mind.
Angsana Spa, Grand Regency Hotel (434 3152; www.angsanaspa.com/resortspas/doha). Rhythmic Massage, 90 minutes, QR450

Jaula Spa, Nurturing Mother

At this new Arabian-inspired spa at the Grand Hyatt, the Nurturing Mother treatment combines a rejuvenating facial with a targeted massage designed to ease away those pregnancy related aches and pains, and will aim to reduce swelling and general fatigue.
Jaula Spa, Grand Hyatt (448 1234; www.doha.grand.hyatt.com), Nurturing Mother, 90 minutes, QR750

YamaYoga, Pre-natal Yoga

For those mums-to-be who fancy something a bit more energetic, YamaYoga offers a special pre-natal yoga class. Based at the new studios at Garvey’s, the classes are held every Tuesday. YamaYoga advises women to avoid sessions during the first trimester if they are new to it, but the experts there say that providing you have your doctor’s approval, any point after 12 weeks is a good time to start. Husbands can attend the classes too, providing no-one objects. The class aims to prepare both the body and mind for labour, teaching useful breathing techniques and helping to develop the strength and flexibility
to help the body deal with the rigours of childbirth.
YamaYoga, Garvey’s (325 1396; www.yamayogastudios.com). Pre-natal Yoga, 75 minutes, QR50 per session, Tue 6.30pm-7.45pm, booking is recommended