Gestational Diabetes

[msnweather]

This post is for all of you reflexologists who may have had the privilege of training with Susanne Enzer. I am in the States and have her MaternityReflexology Manual but have not had the chance to take one of her classes here yet.

I have a 17 year old maternity client who is 6 months pregnant. She has had 3 weekly sessions. She originally came in for upper backpain and responded very well to the treatments. She let me know this week that she had some problems over the past week and may have gestational diabetes. She will betested shortly. My heart tells me to continue to treat her as I normally would but to go lightly over the liver and pancreas reflexes.

Is there anythingelse I need to watch for, any advice I can give her? I am still new to reflexology, haven't even been practicing a year. I am so greatful that this forum is here. I find myself here everyday to see what else I can learn.

Thank You in advance.
Aimee

 

[mbt shoes are you]

hiya Aimee
Well firstly I wouldnt do anything different until she has her results, they normally start here in the uk with what is known as a GTT (Glucose tolerance test) and the results are fairly instant, they can also do blood tests, I would say a lot will depend on whether like most gestationally diabetic women she is diet or insulin controlled. The first thing is she must realise that whilst many healthy babies are born to diabetic women it is a higher risk and therefore she should take her healthcare advice seriously to do her part (I was insulin dependant in both my pregnancies and Im a reflexologist )
and not cheat on her diet. If she is insulin dependent then you should take all the normal precautions you would do treating any insulin depedant client, ie make sure you have glucose tabs, make sure the client has eaten and had her insulin and possibly a good hour before (reflex can speed up absorption as it speeds the metabolism). But dont worry about that until you know what you are dealing with. So in essence I wouldnt do anything differently until you know what you are dealing with.
Hugs
T
x

 

[WebLaruaau]

T-
Thanks for the info. So far she is doing ok with her sugar. Now she is having premature contractions. They are controlled with meds so far. I asked her to get her Dr. ok to go ahead with reflexology (haven't gotten a reply back yet)to be on the safe side but honestly I'm a little scared to work on her. She's my first maternity client and she has so many problems. They don't think she'll be able to carry full term.I know I need to be very gentle but since she is having the contractions so early should I work on her? I wish I could take that maternity course now. I wasn't taught anything about maternity reflexology through the IIR here.

I know I sound like I'm whining but this one has me baffled. Your info would really be appreciated. Thanks.

Aimee

 

[Hafway Holmes]

hiya honey
is she having braxtons or do they think she is at risk of going into prem. how pregnant is she? prem is earlier that 37 weeks. Most diabetic pregnancies conclude before term as there is a risk that the babies get to big....let me know how far gone she is.
t
x

 

[Ghost Child]

She's at about 6 months or so. The contractions are not Braxton-Hicks. So far her sugar tests are ok. She's just passing sugar in her urine. Everyone I've spoken to in my other message (premature labour pains HELP!!!)says I should stop working on her. Thats what I think too. That baby needs to stay in as long as possible.

Here's a question- When you work on someone who is pregnant , do you get their Doctor's okay first? It seems like I should have. She came in for upper backtension and then all of this other stuff happened so fast (within 3 sessions). Is there anything special that you do with maternity clients when you first see them, like a special questionaire or handout? I'm just getting started in my business and it seems like I may need to do things differently for maternity clients.

Thanks for being so kind and helpful.

Aimee