Reflexology is extremely beneficial for women while they are expecting their baby, in labour, or just after giving birth.
Maternity Reflexology as it is also known, is a discipline of Reflexology that has become very popular during the past years. It is efficient, helpful, and a wonderful treatment for both mother and baby!!
Pregnancy is one of the most special conditions a woman can experience in life, but as we know, a huge plethora of changes occur, physically, mentally and emotionally.
Reflexology can help restore balance in most cases, treating conditions symptomatically, alleviating and stimulating. Reflexology can help with the following conditions that many women experience during their pregnancy:
- Anaemia
- Anxiety
- Appetite regulation
- Backache
- Blood pressure regulation (except cases of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia)
- Constipation or any change in bowel movement pattern
- To prevent Diabetes caused by pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes)
- Haemorroids
- Insomnia
- Muscular fatigue
- Muscular tension
- Nausea and vomiting
- Oedema
- Urinary tract problems (difficulty to urinate, cystitis, etc)
- To improve flexibility of pelvic floor
Even though Reflexology is mostly a safe therapy, you should consider that some conditions are totally contraindicated to the Reflexology treatment during Pregnancy and they require immediate medical intervention:
- Placental abruption
- Placenta praevia
- Bleeding
- Continuous vomiting
- Toxaemia: Pre-Ecclampsia - Ecclampsia
- Pica Syndrome
- HELLP Syndrome
- DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
Always inform your health care provider that you are receiving Reflexology treatments during Pregnancy. Today, more and more health care providers are aware of the benefits of Reflexology and natural therapies during Pregnancy, referring their clients to improve their life quality during this period. However, it is better that you get the proper assessment on the appearance of any condition that might be risky.
Prevention is better than cure!!
Reflexology works fantastically as a preventative therapy, and this is evident during pregnancy. Receiving regular reflexology treatments throughout pregnancy can help prevent many of the above-mentioned conditions from occurring, thus enabling a safe and enjoyable a pregnancy as possible.
Reflexology is safe, pleasant, and relaxing. The Reflexology treatment will provide you with energies as a result of stimulating all the systems in your body, therefore being able to heal yourself and feel more comfortable with your body
Reflexology in Labour
During labour, Reflexology can be of great help to improve and stimulate several conditions that occur and help the mother to best focus her energies and attention.
The following are the most common cases in which Reflexology is of valuable help during labour.
- Regulating contractions (stimulating or sedating according to their efficacy)
- Induction, instead of using chemicals.
- Pain and relaxation
- Helping to urinate
- Helping bowel movements
- Backache
- Hyperventilation and correct breathing
- Regulating body temperature
- To release retained placenta
- Reflexology is also beneficial to the mother post-natally, helping her body adjust as easily as possible to its post-pregnancy state.
It has also shown to be very effective with dealing with
- Post-natal depression
- Fatigue
- Lactation
- After caesarean section
- After epidural anesthesia
- Mastitis
- Urination difficulties
Reflexology is also beneficial to the newborn baby, helping to ease symptoms such as
- Colic
- Constipation
- Sleeping difficulties
- Gas
- Allergies
- Sinus problems
- Skin rashes
If you have any questions on Reflexology in Pregnancy and Childbirth feel free to contact me on 085 7106008 and I will endeavour to answer all your questions.
Reflexology treatments can also be claimed back through VHI, Quinn healthcare and Hibernian Aviva health insurers; check your plan for details.