Maternity Reflexology

As a former midwife, Maternity Reflexology is an area of special interest to me, and I have undertaken additional training with both Susanne Enzer and  Mauricio [Moshe] Kruchik. Both are world reknowned reflexologists and authors who specialise in pregnancy and childbirth.

During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes huge physical and emotional changes. Research has shown that women receiving regular reflexology treatments throughout their pregnancy tend to deliver closer to their EDD, experience shorter labours and see a reduction in their need for pain relief.

The beneficial effects of reflexology can help to balance and harmonise the body, and provide a great way of ensuring you invest time in yourself and the new life growing within you.

Reflexology may reduce your labour time

In 1988, Dr. Gowri Motha and Dr. Jane McGrath carried out a study into the effects of reflexology on labour.

37 pregnant women who completed a course of ten treatments had an average first stage of 5 hours (compared to textbook figures of 16 to 24 hours) and 16 minute 2nd stage (compared to 1 to 2 hours).

Reflexology can also help with some of the uncomfortable symptoms of pregnancy you may be experiencing such as:

  • Anxiety                                                              
  • Nausea and Morning Sickness
  • Swollen Ankles 
  • Tiredness
  • Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Backpain
  • Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

Is Reflexology safe during pregnancy?

Some people are under the misconception that reflexology can be harmful during pregnancy in case it causes a miscarriage. This is not the case. A miscarriage is generally a sign that there has been a problem with the baby's development or the mother's health and cannot be caused by a reflexology treatment.

What happens during a treatment?

I will do a full consultation before your first treatment and also ask you to complete a special Maternity questionaire to help me understand any health concerns you may have.

I always carry out a full treatment and there some techniques that I use specifically for pregnant clients. These include an Endocrine Balance which is a wonderful way of dealing with all the hormones surging through you, and the Lymphatic Technique which is excellent for relieving swollen ankles.

You will be seated in my comfortable reclining chair but as your bump gets bigger we can adjust the angle of the chair to suit you.

Can Reflexology induce me?

Reflexology treatments at the later stages of pregnancy help the body to enter a deep state of relaxation and this can sometimes result in the spontaneous onset of labour, preventing the need for medical intervention. It also means your body is balanced and harmonised and in optimal condition to give birth.

Can reflexology help with subfertility?

For many couples the anxiety over fertility can become all encompassing and this can affect their ability to conceive even more. Reflexology is a calming, relaxing holistic therapy that helps to ease emotional and physical stress and tension which are often the 'blockers' for pregnancy. Regular treatments will help to balance and regulate hormone levels within the body.

Some couples may need to undergo  medical investigation and Assisted Reproductive Technologies [ART] such as IVF.
Reflexology is a great way to support and prepare the body leading up to these procedures.  The balancing and calming effects of the therapy help to ensure that you are in optimum condition, both physically and emotionally prior to this treatment. Treatments can also be effective at the very start of fertility investigations and prior to taking fertility drugs such as Clomid.

Both partners are encouraged to have reflexology treatments. The ability to conceive depends on so many factors and it is important that both partners are in optimum health for the best chance of this to happen. 

Post Pregnancy

Once the baby is born the hormones take a nose-dive and this sudden drop can have a major effect on the new mother's emotions, as well as all the other pressures on the new mother, feeding, caring for the newborn, lack of sleep etc. Reflexology can help calm and ease an anxious mother and balance her hormones and energy levels. It has been shown in various studies that regular treatments following the birth can reduce the effects of post - natal depression.

Aromatherapy in Pregnancy

Some essential oils can be really useful in pregnancy although some are considered unsafe to use. I am happy to give advice on which are suitable and at what stage of pregnancy. I am also happy to make you a personal blend for you to take in to the Delivery Suite with you to use during labour. Your blend will be ideal for back massage during labour and helping to improve the strength of contractions. Please contact me for details.

Treatment Prices

Maternity Reflexology - £30.00  This includes full consultation and personally blended Aromatherapy foot cream. Please allow around 90 minutes for the first treatment. Subsequent sessions last around 60 minutes.

Blend of oils for labour                    £5.00 

If I have treated you during your pregnancy why not treat yourself to any Aromatherapy or Reflexology treatment in your post natal period half price. [Offer valid during first 3 months after delivery]