Maternity Reflexology
Reflexology can provide support for women through pre-conception, sub-fertility, pregnancy, post-natal recovery and whilst establishing breastfeeding. Reflexology is a popular complementary therapy used by women during and after pregnancy.
Reflexology can be of great support to you whilst your body is going through so many changes; it can help you remain relaxed and balanced, as well as helping to relieve some of the common symptoms of pregnancy.
Always inform your midwife or consultant if you are having reflexology during pregnancy.
As a Maternity Reflexologist my aim is to optimise the health potential of the pregnant woman. I will only give the client reflexology or other complementary therapy advice. I will not give medical or obstetric advice and I must ensure that a client who has problems or concerns always seeks the advice from her midwife or other healthcare provider.
Clinical Maternity Reflexology can help with the following physiological disorders and psychological recovery:
Pregnancy - sickness, oedema, carpal tunnel syndrome, constipation, backache, sciatica, symphysis pubis pain, heartburn.
During labour - it can be used to comfort and support women – pain relief, easing anxiety, fear and panic.
Post-dates pregnancy - induction and acceleration of labour (this would only be performed with the midwives authority & according to strict guidelines laid down by Expectancy).
Postnatal - it can be used for postnatal aches and pains, emotional and psychological recovery, postnatal depression, help to establish breastfeeding and other physical problems in the postnatal period.
Aims of Maternity Reflexology:
- To enhance maternal – and indirectly, fetal – wellbeing during pregnancy through relaxation, by restoring and maintaining physical, psychological and emotional homeostatic balance
- To provide the expectant mother with opportunities for time to herself for rest and relaxation, and with a ‘listening ear’ to allow her to express her concerns
- To relieve symptoms and discomforts of pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period by promoting the mother’s innate self-healing capacity and facilitating her coping mechanisms
- To support the mother during labour and birth by aiding relaxation and reducing fear, pain and tension, which will contribute towards normal progress and outcomes
- To help prevent minor deviations from normal developing into medical/obstetric complications and to assist in reducing the severity of any complications which do arise
(Tiran, D., 2010. Reflexology in Pregnancy and Childbirth. Elsevier)
Medical and Obstetric history
A full consultation will be completed at your first visit to ensure that reflexology is right for you, as there are certain conditions where reflexology should be avoided. I will also ask to see a copy of your maternity notes on each visit. Always inform your midwife or other healthcare provider if you are having reflexology during pregnancy.
