Maternity reflexology

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Pregnancy can be a wonderful time, but can also bring a roller coaster of emotions. The huge changes taking place in the body at this time can also take a physical toll on women. Pregnancy is a time for mums to be take time to really look after themselves and maximise their wellbeing before the arrival of their little one and maternity reflexology can be one way to help achieve this.

 

Karen in fully qualified to give reflexology treatments to women at stages of pregnancy. Every person is unique and so is every pregnancy. Throughout the three stages (trimesters) of pregnancy, maternity reflexology applies specialised techniques tailored for each pregnant client during their unique pregnancy experience:

 

Research into Reflexology in Pregnancy

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Studies have also shown that pregnant women who received reflexology prior to giving birth had significantly reduced intensity of labour pain, duration of 1st stage of labour and anxiety, when compared to a group who did not receive reflexology

 

Valiani M et al. Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2010 Dec;15(Suppl 1):302-10.
Reviewing the effect of reflexology on the pain and certain features and outcomes of the labor on the primiparous women.

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Moghimi-Hanjani S et al, Acta Med Iran. 2015 Aug;53(8):507-11.
The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Anxiety, Pain, and Outcomes of the Labor in Primigravida Women.
 

Another study also found that first time mums who received 10 reflexology sessions prior to giving birth had an average 1st stage of labour of only 5 to 6 hours, which is much lower than averages

 

Dr G Motha and Dr J McGrath - 1992, The effects of reflexology on labour outcome, Forest Gate, London
 

Encouraging labour

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Towards the end of pregnancy, many women can be quite an uncomfortable and worrying time for many women, and after their due date, may want to encourage labour to commence naturally.

 

Reflexology to encourage labour

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Clients who are over 40 weeks pregnant can be treated with a specialist protocol  to encourage the natural commencement of labour. This protocol aims to very relaxing, but is also very stimulating to help encourage labour, which can be a little uncomfortable.

 

It is important you have discussed using reflexology to encourage labour with your midwife. If you are expecting more than one baby, or if you are suffering from some pre-existing medical condition this treatment may be unsuitable for you. Please contact me, to discuss if you are considering trying this treatment to encourage labour.

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Post-natal reflexology

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The days and weeks following birth there are changes in hormone levels. Adding in sleepless nights and the body trying to recover balance after giving birth, this can lead to new mums feeling tired and quite stressed.

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It is really important for new mums to look after themselves as well as their little ones. Reflexology is an amazing treatment to help improve relaxation and feelings of wellbeing and reduce stress and give Mum some much needed time to herself.