MATERNITY REFLEXOLOGY

little bump

I am very proud to say that I have undertaken Maternity Reflexology Training with Gill Thomson, Midwife and experienced Reflexologist who facilitated my learning using Author,  Midwife and Reflexologist Suzanne Enzer’s course which is taught worldwide. I completed both Part 1 and Part 2 of the course which led to the award of the Certificate of Competency in Maternity Reflexology which incorporates both Maternity and Infertility Reflexology.   I continually have the honour of supporting pregnant ladies throughout their pregnancy, watching the baby’s growth being expressed in the foot and sharing in the joy of the new baby. Please ensure whoever you chose as your Reflexologist during this special time is specifically trained in this area of Reflexology Care.

Maternity Reflexology is a wonderful healing therapy that can support you throughout your pregnancy and help prepare your body for childbirth. Maternity Reflexology also encourages relaxation – something that is especially important at this time.

Maternity Reflexology can help relieve many of the minor discomforts of pregnancy you may experience including nausea, heartburn, constipation, insomnia and back pain.

Maternity Reflexology can also help alleviate some more troublesome conditions such as Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Pelvic Girdle Pain (also known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or SPD).

How Maternity Reflexology can help during PregnancyWhen you find out that you are expecting a baby, nothing will have prepared you for the huge physical and emotional changes that are happening as your body prepares for birth. It is important that you try to relax during this time but this can seem hard to do, especially if you have a busy work schedule or already have young children to look after. Putting time aside for regular reflexology treatments during your pregnancy will encourage your mind and body to unwind fully and leave you feeling refreshed and with more energy to cope with daily life.

Maternity reflexology can also effectively treat some of the ‘conditions of pregnancy’ that you may experience including:
Anxiety and stress reduction, lack of appetite,Back pain,Blood pressure (except for pre-eclampsia/eclampsia), Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Constipation, Emotional disturbances and mood swings, Fatigue, Fluid retention, Gestational Diabetes (helps to stabilise blood sugar), Haemorrhoids, Heartburn and acid reflux relief,  Hyperemesis Gravidarum, Improves Energy levels, Improves Muscle Fatigue, Insominia, Nausea and Mornng Sickness, Pelvic Girdle Pain, Sciatica, Urinary Tract Infections.                                                        
Research has shown that expectant mums who received regular Maternity Reflexology treatments had far shorter birthing times and required significantly less pain relief than those who did not have treatments. Research carried out in 1993/94 by Dr Gowri Motha showed that first time expectant mums who had at least nine maternity reflexology treatments during their pregnancy, went on to have much shorter birthing times. Their labours averaged 5-6 hours and they required significantly less pain relief than those who did not have reflexology treatments.

Contraindications of Pregnancy – which require medical attention

• Bleeding 
• Continuous Vomiting
• DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
• HELLP Syndrome
• Pica Syndrome
• Placenta Abruption
• Placenta Praevia  
• Toxemia – Pre Eclampsia/Eclampsia 

Reflexology in Labour

Reflexology in labour has been found to aid relaxation and stress, promote pain relief, boosts  failing energy levels and can as cited in research reduce the length of labour.  Another resource which helps in labour is hynobirthing. HypnoBirthing allows you to experience birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear and tension that prevents the birthing muscles of your body from functioning as Nature intended them to.  If you are interested in managing your labour and the delivery of your baby in a more relaxed and calm way read more about hynobirthing and what it can do for you.

Post Natal Reflexology

Post-natal reflexology can help restore balance to your body. You will have been through tremendous changes over a period of nine months – both physically and emotionally. It is important that you are given the time to recover from the whole birthing experience and post-natal reflexology treatments will help you to do that. Treatments can help to:

• alleviate anxiety and the “baby blues”
• assist recovery following an epidural
• aid recovery following a Caesarean section
• ease breastfeeding discomfort and encourage lactation
• encourage the menstrual cycle to return to normal
• ease digestive problems
• aid sleep and relaxation
• reduce the pain and discomfort of haemorrhoids

Maternity Reflexology care can be planned for each individual client.  Many women wish to attend frequently at the beginning of pregnancy to relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting.  Once this has passed they may attend once monthly/six weekly up to week 28/29 when they usually attend fortnightly or weekly.  From week 34 many women find that weekly sessions help relieve symptoms of backache or provide some ‘me time’ to relax away from the distraction of daily life.  The choice is very individual and can be planned as the pregnancy progresses.

If you have any concerns for your health or that of your baby contact your GP or Midwife.  If you are contemplating Reflexology during your pregnancy please inform your Midwife and we can then involve her in a shared Reflexology Health Care Plan.  It is preferable that you begin Reflexology at week 12 or above particularly where there has been a history of a previous miscarriage.

I would be delighted to discuss any plans or questions you may have about Reflexology or if you wish to make an appointment.

Gift Vouchers are available and are the ideal way to give a new mum the chance to relax, unwind and have some much-needed time for herself.  It can be a wonderful treat for the new mum after the birth of her new baby

Doula Support during the Ante natal and post natal period 

Furthermore, if you are considering having the support of a Doula during your pregnancy I can wholeheartedly recommend a friend, colleague and mum of two young girls who is doula trained, Anne Harper.  Anne has a wealth of knowledge and experience as a mum and as a breast feeding peer support.  Please visit Anne’s website to gain some insight into her passion at New Era Birth Doula.

Birth Photography

Have you ever thought of capturing your growing pregnancy, ‘your bump’, your labour,  or your new baby just after birth in a photograph…..why not look at Dagmara Shannon’s website  to see how Dagmara very sensitively captures the emotion and joy of this wondrous occasion.