Serendipity Holistic Therapy

Maternity Reflexology

Maternity Reflexology is an area of special interest for me and I have undertaken additional training and study with Susanne Enzer, and have been awarded the Certificate of Competancy in Maternity Reflexology. It is a special privilege to be able to work with two people at once because both Mum and Baby will benefit from having regular Reflexology treatments during pregnancy. Let's not forget Dad either - although he is unlikely to experience the same physical upheaval, his emotions will be following their own roller-coaster ride as he prepares for new responsibilities during this life-changing time.

But let's take a step back. What happens if you are experiencing difficulties becoming pregnant? Can Reflexology help? As with all things, there is no guarantee, but the balancing, calming and supportive benefits of Reflexology can help couples who are experiencing sub-fertility problems. It can be an emotionally draining time, especially if the reason is unexplained, but Reflexology has an excellent reputation with helping couples to conceive.

Is It Safe?

There is a lot of uncertainty around whether it is safe to receive Reflexology during pregnancy. My advice to pregnant clients is that Reflexology is a holistic therapy that works in harmony with your body and it cannot make your body do something that is doesn't want to do. Around 98% of all early miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus. In this situation, a miscarriage is sadly inevitable and will not have been 'caused' by Reflexology. If there is a viable foetus, then it is extremely difficult to remove it, as Mother Nature is intent on ensuring the survival of the species!

The only situations where treatment is contra-indicated is if the client has a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), and Placenta Previa or Hydro Amnios after 32 weeks. If your obstetric caregiver (midwife, GP, consultant) has advised you not to receive Reflexology on medical grounds, then I would have to respect their wishes.

What Happens During a Treatment?

All new clients will be taken through a Maternity Reflexology questionnaire to help me to find out about your general state of health and wellbeing, and to understand any pregnancy-specific concerns that you may be facing. I generally carry out a full treatment, regardless of the presenting condition (pregnancy or otherwise), and there are some additional techniques that are used for pregnant clients. These include an Endocrine Balance (wonderful for calming the raging hormones) and the Lymphatic Drainage Technique to help with fluid retention (oedema). This means that it takes a little longer than a standard treatment and you should allow up to one and a half hours. You will relax in my reclining chair to receive your treatment, but as your 'bump' gets larger, you may find it comfortable to be more upright so we can adjust the angle of the recliner to suit you.

How Often Should I Receive Treatment?

Ideally, you should receive Reflexology regularly throughout your pregnancy, as research has shown that this may result in you delivering closer to your due date and having a shorter labour than women who do not receive treatment. In the first half of pregnancy, monthly treatments may be sufficient if you are having a normal, healthy pregnancy although you may wish to have them more frequently if you are experiencing problems (or if you are enjoying it!). Once you move into the third trimester, fortnightly treatments would be beneficial, moving to weekly sessions in the last month. I am also happy to provide treatment in early labour to help to keep you relaxed and to help establish labour. If your midwife is in agreement, it may be possible for me to be there during the later stages - but we can discuss this when we meet.

If you would like to have frequent treatments but the budget is tight, consider having a few Focus Treatments as described on my Reflexology page. These are especially suitable for ladies needing help with fertility, as ideally you should be receiving weekly treatments to help with this.

What Conditions Will Reflexology Help?

Reflexology improves general well-being, is very pleasant to receive, and induces a deep relaxation so your body can adjust more smoothly to the major changes required at this time. Treatments help ease or prevent the many discomforts and ailments commonly associated with pregnancy. These include:

Backache / Sciatica

Symphysis Pubis Disfunction (SPD)

Constipation

Raised Blood Pressure (NB permission will be required from your obstetrician if you have pre-eclampsia)

Fluid Retention (Oedema)

Headaches

Fatigue

Insomnia

Anxiety about the forthcoming birth

Reflexology reduces the effects of stress and modern day pressures on mother and baby. It improves vitality, circulation, breathing, digestion and sleep, and helps normalise blood pressure. With many expectant mothers having to work close up to their expected due dates, with a risk of going into labour already exhausted, the restorative effects of Reflexology can be immensely valuable. It helps prime your body for birthing and gives you the physical and mental stamina to cope with whatever sort of birth you are given.

The special techniques used in Maternity Reflexology also makes this treatment very effective for non-pregnant people who are suffering from hormonal problems. These are typically experienced during puberty or the menopause, but they can affect people at any stage in their life. Fluid retention is another problem that can be treated, as it is not just pregnant ladies who suffer from oedema. If you think that you might benefit from this, please ask.

Can Reflexology "Induce" Me?

I am asked this question a lot - and the short answer is "no". If the baby is not ready to emerge, then only medical intervention will make it come before its time. However, there are certain pressure points that I can work to encourage or 'prime' your body ready for labour, as long as you are at or past your due date. It is unlikely to start labour there and then, but ladies have found that they naturally go into labour within the next few days - if the baby is ready that is! If you want me to perform this technique before your due date, then I would need permission from your midwife. Certain techniques can also be used to encourage a breech baby to turn.

I've Had My Baby - Now What?

I remember from my own experience that everything seems geared up to getting you through your pregnancy and to the birth - but it doesn't stop there! Suddenly the focus changes from you - the expectant mum - to the baby. Although he or she will be your first priority, it is important to look after yourself. Continuing to receive Reflexology will help to:

Balance, harmonise and restore your body at this demanding time

Reduce anxiety and help you establish a calm state of mind

Reduce tension, aches and stiffness

Help restore your body to a non pregnant state

Increase vitality and aid restful sleep

It may also be beneficial in helping you to cope with the "Baby Blues" and post-natal depression. Whilst your baby is still immobile, he or she is welcome to come to the treatment with you. It's amazing how babies always seem to sleep in my room, especially if they have been there before! Maybe they remember the calming, relaxing feelings experienced by mum when she had reflexology during her pregnancy. I can show you a few simple techniques to use yourself on baby's feet.

Testimonial

You may be interested to read these comments from one of my clients:

"I had reflexology regularly throughout both my pregnancies. I found that it helped with my morning sickness, back pain, mood swings and generally improved my feelings of wellbeing. I also believe that having reflexology helped me have very quick straightforward labours. Having reflexology with Sarah Finch is a wonderfully relaxing experience and I left every treatment feeling like I was walking on air. I really noticed the difference especially to my sciatica on the weeks that I didn't have a treatment and looked forward to each session. I also had reflexology soon after the birth and I feel that this contributed to me coping with the aftermath of labour. Sarah was brilliant letting me bring along the baby and he seemed to really enjoy having a chilled out mummy to sleep on during the treatment! I would really recommend anyone pregnant or otherwise to have a treatment with Sarah and discover just how relaxing reflexology can be!"

If you would like to find out more about anything that I have (or haven't) covered on this page, please call or e-mail me and I would be delighted to have a chat with you.

Other Resources

You may like to consider doing Pilates during your pregnancy, as it will help you to look and feel good, improve relaxation and help to prepare yourself for the birth and beyond. To find out more about local classes, please contact Vida at Ego-Centric. She runs Pregnancy in Pilates courses that are suitable for ladies at all levels of fitness who are at least 16 weeks pregnant.

Please click here for prices and booking information.