Maternity Reflexology
Treatment during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of huge change in the physiological body where the mother will experience a range of emotional, physical, chemical and hormonal changes. The expectant mother’s body is constantly adapting to accommodate the growing baby, deliver the baby and then restore itself.
The treatment will be modified according to each stage of pregnancy. Reflexology is safe during pregnancy as long as care is taken by a qualified Maternity Reflexologist.
I have recently completed post-graduate training in Maternity Reflexology through the Renowned Maternity Midwife Suzanne Enzer and will be completing the second stage later on this year. (Progress and information on this will be posted later on in the year in the developing newsletter. You can sign up for this on the home page).
In the womb, babies take in both nourishment and emotional responses from the mother via the umbilical cord. Therefore treating the mother indirectly also aids the baby. Although both have a separate nervous and blood circulatory system, the mother and her developing baby communicate through the nervous and hormonal links. This is especially the case on an emotional level so that if the mother is distressed, her stress hormones cross the placenta. Prolonged stress is known to affect the immune system. In babies exposed to maternal distress and a complicated birth there seems to be a predisposition to recurrent infections and allergies, especially when there is a family history of allergy.
Reflexology is an excellent support during pregnancy.
Reflexology can be particularly helpful throughout your pregnancy by helping with;
- Anxiety
- Back pain
- Constipation
- Fluid retention Oedema (swelling) in feet and ankles
- Clear Cystitis
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Relieve morning sickness and nausea
- Sciatica
- Reducing and normalising high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Normalizing low blood pressure
- Improved sleep quality
- Insomnia
- Symptoms of tiredness and exhaustion (fatigue)
- Relieve constipation and haemorrhoids
- Relieve varicose veins
- Clear pelvic congestion
- Symphysis pubis dysfunction
- Aiding digestion by boosting the pancreatic secretion of digestive enzymes; the pancreas can become sluggish during pregnancy due to the effect of the placental hormones oxygenating the baby by improving the blood flow within the whole body, helping the uterus and the baby’s placenta.
- Reduce work stress
- Oxygenate the baby by encouraging the blood flow within the whole body, your uterus and the baby’s placenta.
- Turn a breach baby
- Carry your baby to term
- Can be used to initiate labour if you are overdue, thereby reducing the need for a medical induction at hospital.
- At term Reflexology can be effective in initiating contractions and labour
- Intensify and regulate contractions during labour, thereby shortening labour as a result.
Can Reflexology help prepare me for labour?
Reflexology has been recognised as having a particularly high success rate in the area of labour outcome - many women have experienced labours of only 2-3 hours after undergoing Reflexology therapy during their pregnancy. In addition, Reflexology is becoming more popular for the purpose of pain relief during labour.
There have been several studies within the last few years of which many shed some positive light on the potential effects of Reflexology on both labour duration and the intensity of pain experienced. Studies have found that regular Reflexology during pregnancy can bring about shorter, less painful labour with a reduced chance of intervention eg: use of forceps, ventouse or caesarean section.
The findings of the Gentofte study were supported by a further study carried out by Dr Gowri Motha at the Jeyrani Birth Centre on the effects of Reflexology on pregnant women. Thirty-seven pregnant women completed a course of 10 Reflexology treatments with remarkable effects. The average length of the first stage of labour was 5 hours whereas the text book average is 16 - 24 hours; the second stage of labour lasted an average of 16 minutes compared to the text book expectancy of 1 - 2 hours, and only 5.4% of the women who had Reflexology treatment required emergency caesarean section compared to an average of 13% in Newham district which was the district where the study was conducted. (Motha and Mcgrath)
“If the mother has access to just one type of treatment during pregnancy, the best – all around treatment in pregnancy would be Reflexology” Gentle Birth Method Gowri Motha, (2000).
Can I use Reflexology during labour?
Reflexology as a therapy during childbirth has been less than well documented; however it has proven to be very successful. Reflexology has many benefits of which can be experienced during labour; natural pain relief, calming and relaxing effect, amongst others. Reflexology can be used at any stage of labour and its effects can be experienced between one and two minutes after beginning. The full effects of Reflexology can be felt after just 15 minutes.
Reflexology & postnatal Care
Reflexology can help restore sleep patterns, encourage milk flow, promote healthy lactation, aid caesarean recovery, and help tone the uterus and return to normal size. Coping with a new born baby can be an emotionally and physically draining time for parents. Reflexology can also increase energy levels and vitality after delivery to help cope with these changes. Reflexology can help during this period by calming the mind and relaxing the body reducing anxiety and stress, boosting the immune system,
re-balancing the hormones and reducing the risk of postnatal depression. Regular treatments help calm, re-energise as well as providing a valuable space to relax.
Coming Soon .....Baby
Reflexology
Can help babies too. It can help improve a baby’s sleep pattern, treat constipation, soothe colic pain and teething trouble. Reflexology has been known to help the bonding process between mother and baby. Reflexology can be used for relaxation when performed on your newborn.
Reflexology has major benefits before, during and after pregnancy.
Duration: 1 hr initlal consultation will be longer. Some sessions may be shorter depending on the stage of pregnancy.