Maternity Reflexology
Whilst being a very special time for mothers to be, the maternity journey is not always the easiest one! From the early days of morning sickness to the last few weeks with swollen feet and exhaustion it can be a stressful and tiring nine months for many women. Maternity Reflexology is aimed specifically at women during pregnancy, about and the post-natal period.
I have completed an advanced Reflexology course (“Supporting the Maternity Journey using Reflexology” Gaia School of Natural Health), as it is an area that particularly interests me. I personally chose to have reflexology prior to the birth of my children and also used hypnobirthing techniques alongside it, which I found worked well together.
How can maternity reflexology help during pregnancy?
Reflexology during pregnancy can potentially help with the following:
Preparing for Childbirth
In a study of 100 overdue women in the maternity unit at Walsall Manor Hospital research concluded that “more women went into labour sooner and needing less pain relief than those without reflexology” The results showed that those who had received reflexology leading up to the birth had a shorter second stage of labour and less pain relief medication. A larger study at a clinical trial in Iran found that all three stages of labour had shorter duration times and reduced pain relief.
I believe that reflexology treatments during pregnancy should be very gentle and I tend to focus on relieving stress and balancing the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormones. Many clients call me when they are overdue, as they have read that reflexology can induce labour! There is research to suggest that reflexology can help encourage labour but this not 100% guaranteed. Sometimes the baby is simply too comfortable and not ready to come out! What I can do is relax the mother and help to stimulate the hormones into action, although this is not something I would consider doing before the labour is at full term. For regular clients that I have seen throughout their pregnancies we can work on some specific areas to help the body to prepare from around 37-38 weeks onwards.
Is it suitable for everyone?
There are some times when reflexology is not suitable in pregnancy and I have listed a few of conditions below. Unless I have regularly treated a client before they conceive then it is generally preferable to wait until the second trimester before commencing a course. If you are unsure about anything please call me or speak with your midwife and we can discuss options.
Some of the occasions when maternity reflexology it is not recommended:
I have completed an advanced Reflexology course (“Supporting the Maternity Journey using Reflexology” Gaia School of Natural Health), as it is an area that particularly interests me. I personally chose to have reflexology prior to the birth of my children and also used hypnobirthing techniques alongside it, which I found worked well together.
How can maternity reflexology help during pregnancy?
Reflexology during pregnancy can potentially help with the following:
- To help the mother to feel supported mentally, physically and emotionally
- Nausea (morning sickness)
- Stabilising both high and low blood pressure
- Elimination of oedema and reducing general swelling and aching in the feet and ankles. Oedema occurs due to the growing weight of the uterus pressing on the pelvic vein causing an obstruction of blood flow. Also, during pregnancy the fluid within the body almost doubles which contributes to general swelling and discomfort.
- Prevention of heartburn
- Improved sleep quality
- Clearing headaches
- Relieving the pain of varicose veins
- Clearing pelvic congestion
- Improved lymphatic drainage
- Improving circulation within the whole body which will help the uterus and placenta
- Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
- To prepare the body for childbirth and potentially initiate labour (special techniques for this will only ever be used for mothers who are already full term or overdue)
- Intensifying contractions during labour, which in turn can result in a shorter labour
Preparing for Childbirth
In a study of 100 overdue women in the maternity unit at Walsall Manor Hospital research concluded that “more women went into labour sooner and needing less pain relief than those without reflexology” The results showed that those who had received reflexology leading up to the birth had a shorter second stage of labour and less pain relief medication. A larger study at a clinical trial in Iran found that all three stages of labour had shorter duration times and reduced pain relief.
I believe that reflexology treatments during pregnancy should be very gentle and I tend to focus on relieving stress and balancing the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormones. Many clients call me when they are overdue, as they have read that reflexology can induce labour! There is research to suggest that reflexology can help encourage labour but this not 100% guaranteed. Sometimes the baby is simply too comfortable and not ready to come out! What I can do is relax the mother and help to stimulate the hormones into action, although this is not something I would consider doing before the labour is at full term. For regular clients that I have seen throughout their pregnancies we can work on some specific areas to help the body to prepare from around 37-38 weeks onwards.
Is it suitable for everyone?
There are some times when reflexology is not suitable in pregnancy and I have listed a few of conditions below. Unless I have regularly treated a client before they conceive then it is generally preferable to wait until the second trimester before commencing a course. If you are unsure about anything please call me or speak with your midwife and we can discuss options.
Some of the occasions when maternity reflexology it is not recommended:
- Clients who have epilepsy
- Cardiac conditions
- Blood clotting problems
- Placenta Previa (low lying placenta) if at or over 32 weeks
- General Septicaemia
- Hydro amnios (too much water around the baby) it at or over 32 weeks
- Deep Vein thrombosis
- Hypertension