My short answer to the question would be YES! So many pregnancy ailments can be relieved through reflexology! Sciatic pain, back & joint pain, edema, mood swings, constipation, nausea and countless other problems. However, when deciding if reflexology is right for you personally, there are several things to consider.
*Are you in your first trimester? Many Reflexologists choose not to work on a woman in her first trimester, though there is no proof of reflexology causing a miscarriage. I feel denying a mother treatment does her a disservice as there are so many symptoms of pregnancy (listed above) that could be improved through reflexology!
*Do you have a history of miscarriage? If there is a history of miscarriage, it is wise to wait until you are well into your second trimester before beginning sessions. That being said, reflexology is much like exercise. You would not start an intense exercise regimen as soon as you found out you were pregnant, but if you had already been working out regularly, your doctor is more likely to allow you to continue to do so. This is also true of reflexology. A woman may be trying to improve her fertility by coming in for regular sessions. If that is the case, the mother would be fine to continue treatments throughout the length of her pregnancy. (To learn how reflexology can improve fertility, click HERE.)
*Will reflexology stimulate contractions and lead to labor? I would say yes and no. Reflexology improves all body functions and helps the body to do what it is already preparing to do. If your body is already prepared for delivery, labor may be triggered immediately during a session. If your body or your baby are not quite ready, you may experience some preparatory contractions, but you will not go into labor until both of you are ready. That being said, if the baby is in distress and your body is preparing for an early delivery, reflexology could possibly initiate that early labor. If this is a concern for you, ask your reflexologist to avoid working all hormone related and reproductive reflexes.
*Will reflexology ease delivery? Yes! Not only can the ailments listed above improve, but sleep quality will improve (more energy to push) and the body (read: hips) can better relax, allowing easier passage for the baby.
One mother went into labor 48 hours after her reflexology session. Though the mother came in hoping for a more immediate response, her Doula, who had also attended her first birth, was certain her delivery for her second child went considerably smoother because of reflexology. Her body needed those 48 hours to prepare.
Another client delivered just 12 hours after her session. Both she and her baby were ready to go!
What about post-natal care? Reflexology is a fantastic option for treating the "baby blues", improving milk supply, balancing hormones, and stimulating the uterus to contract back to it's pre-baby size all without the use of drugs. You may want to ask your reflexologist if they treat infants. An infant session usually lasts 5 minutes or less as their feet are so small and their tiny reflex points can be easily manipulated. Reflexology can help your infant with gas, colic, and whatever else might be making it hard for the two of you to rest at night.
I can bundle an infant session onto a mothers session for no additional charge. Some mothers have more success nursing their child during a session as they tend to be more relaxed, allowing the milk to flow more freely. To read how reflexology can improve milk production, click HERE.
Foot Note: Please make sure you see a trained reflexologist when pregnant. Though reflexology is a very safe option, reflex points can become overstimulated by untrained hands and lead to complications.
Click here to read testimonials from my clients!
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