Maternity Reflexology - Can it help me on my pregnancy journey?
The maternity journey in some cases can be a time of celebration and excitement. However, pregnancy may bring with it, challenges. This is when women may need some additional support. Maternity reflexology can be one option to combat these challenges and improve wellbeing. There may be concerns about common pregnancy symptoms or emotional issues, whatever they, know that support is available to you.
Reflexology is a wonderful therapy for whole body wellbeing, which can also be used safely during pregnancy, labour and post pregnancy. It has many benefits to help you through this special journey to motherhood.
Reflexology in pregnancy aims to promote physical and emotional well-being, optimising health of the pregnant woman and your growing baby. The body is going through so many different changes, it is important to give yourself the time to adjust, relax and process these changes. Reflexology is a wonderful way to allow you to be the priority, all the attention on you. Reflexology aims to work the whole body, to calm, sooth and nurture.
Reflexology can be performed after the 1st trimester of pregnancy (12weeks/3months).
The benefits of having regular Reflexology can aid in the management of common pregnancy conditions such as, back pain, hip pain, constipation, heartburn, insomnia, anxiousness and a general feeling of being overwhelmed. Reflexology is now a very sought out treatment throughout pregnancy as it can offer many benefits such as aiding relaxation, reducing anxiety, generally de-stressing and improving sleep. Other women seek reflexology for support with common conditions that can arise during pregnancy.
Key benefits include:
Constipation and Indigestion
Odema/Water Retention
Sciatica, SPD and Back Ache
Urinary Tract Infections
Sinusitis, Head Colds and Headaches
Helps you to sleep better, which boosts energy levels
Decreases Stress Levels and Anxiety
Reflexology can also help induce labour naturally. Reflexology can help to prepare the body for labour by balancing the body's systems, especially the endocrine system which is responsible for the secretion of many important hormones.
When Is Reflexology Not Appropriate in Pregnancy?
Reflexology is mostly a safe therapy; however, some conditions are considered to be total contraindications meaning that we cannot treat these with reflexology during Pregnancy and they require immediate medical intervention:
Placenta praevia
Bleeding
Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG)(Continuous vomiting)
Toxaemia: Pre-Eclampsia & Eclampsia
DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
You should always make sure to check that your reflexologist is qualified in maternity reflexology before you start treatments.
Preparing for Labour
The most common question asked during late-stage pregnancy can reflexology bring on labour?
**Note to be used only after 37 weeks of pregnancy**
Reflexology is based on the belief that certain points on the feet and hands correspond to specific organs and systems in the body. By applying pressure to these points, energy flow can be restored, promoting balance and healing.
There are some reflexology techniques that can be used to stimulate contractions and induce labour. Reflexology can help clients to relax and sleep well in readiness for labour.
Reflexology can stretch and loosen the spine, stimulate the adrenals to boost energy levels required for labour. It can stimulate natural hormones (including oxytocin and natural endorphins) to help prepare the body for labour by stimulating relevant acupressure points to prepare the body to bring on labour, supporting and relaxing the expectant mother to labour in the most natural way like mother nature intended. We can achieve this by one specific technique. By focusing on the pituitary gland reflex point, which is located on the big toe, we massage this area to activate the pituitary gland, this allows the release of hormones (oxytocin and natural endorphins) that can help prepare the body for labour.
It’s important to note that reflexology is not a guaranteed method of inducing labour.
It's effectiveness depends entirely on the individual and the readiness of body for labour to occur and how the body responds to the reflexology. However, many women have reported positive results after using reflexology to enable labour to begin. It is very important to always consult with a certified reflexologist or your healthcare professional before trying reflexology or any other natural labour induction techniques.
Post-natal Reflexology Benefits
Reflexology is also of great support postnatally. After the birth of your baby, you may be feeling tired and a little overwhelmed with the responsibility of this new little life, your whole world as you know it is now focused on your little one. Selfcare of mother can sometimes take a back seat. This is why looking after mother is important too. You may benefit from a reflexology treatment at this incredibly special but busy time as it can help with the following:
Replenish Energy stores
Better milk production
Post Natal Depression
Post Pregnancy stresses and anxieties
Re-Energises the Body
Helps Uterus Return to Original State
Post-natal reflexology will aid recovery, boost energy levels, promote milk production and provide much needed relaxation.
Reflexology treatments can help to rebalance the hormones after labour. It can also regulate the organs and glands, reducing emotional stress and the effects of chemical imbalances. Post-natal reflexology helps the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy state, provides emotional support for the new mother and helps to promote relaxation at a potentially stressful time. It also stimulates a good supply of breast milk for the baby.
Maternity Reflexology Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can reflexology turn a breech baby?
In medical terms, turning a breech baby is a manual procedure generally carried out in a hospital. This is known as external cephalic version. This is where an obstetrician tries to turn the baby into a head-down position by applying pressure on the abdomen. Ultra-sound scans are used to confirm that it is safe for the baby to be turned. The procedure can be very uncomfortable but around 50% of breech babies can be turned with this method.
The question you ask then is how can Reflexology turn my baby? The simple answer is Reflexology cannot manually turn a breech baby; it is important to differentiate this in your mind. However it has been known that there is anecdotal evidence of women whose babies have turned after reflexology, clients have confirmed this. However, this is on a much more subtle level than the manual turn. The belief is that reflexology can sometimes allow for relaxation in the pelvic girdle area and surrounding muscles and therefore, this creates space for the baby to turn in a more natural way if it is safe for it to do so.
Having a baby, whether it is your first pregnancy or third pregnancy it will bring you plenty of wonderful experiences and new challenges. Reflexology is just one option available that may just help you on this journey. It is important to take time out for you during this time so you can continue to be the best version of yourself throughout every stage of your journey.
