Reflexology and pregnancy

[Weosephaul]

i recently have a few pregnant clients who where informed by their pre-natal yoga instructor that if they get regular Reflexology during their pregnancy that their labour will be 6 hrs max! is this true. When i'm treating them, i avoid the reproductive organs competely and only after the first trimester and after they have had their first check-up.

 

[Nancy W]

I have never heard this one before. My sister and myself trained in Reflex and I had regular treatments which stopped my morning sickness - it came back when I missed. I also had reflex & aromatherapy throughout my labour which took way longer than 6 hours. The benefits alongside my wamassageplanetirth were really positive and relaxing. The thing is, we are taught to never make claims that treatments will do this that and the other. It is bad practise and very unprofessional. Does this person have any experience with Reflexology to even be making such statements?

 

[Aly]

anecdotal evidence would suggest that regular reflexology treatments throughout pregnancy can lead to a more spontaneous and perhaps "easy" labour, with a calmer baby at the end of it.

but to pin times on these things is really not a good move but... look on the bright side... its good free advertising!

i have "primed" clients for labour when they go overdue and have threats of induction. they sometimes book another treatment for a few days time but then ring to cancel because the baby was born later after the treatment .

theres been lots of discussions here on HP about advanced reflexology training in maternity care. if you see yourself getting clients that are pregnant, do the extra training and gain the confidence to work with them, its worth it.

 

[pausgvoq]

Hi all,

I wish the statement made by the Yoga teacher was right. Many women in labour would literally "buy" his words.
But CJackson and Rosie, you are definitely right, and this is free advertising.

I personally have witnessed how Reflexology makes things run faster, stimulating faster dilation. This brings to a faster, more dynamic response of the body...for sure. In addition, think about the great advantage of feeling that everything is advancing, that things are moving to the right way through the right path, which at the end, it is the mum-to-be right, own and personal path.

If Reflexology is able to make things going faster (and it is) , think also about the great advantage of saving many hours of pain.

But in any case, the best Reflexology in the labour room is the one you don't have to apply or can't give. Because the lady will be trying to give birth in an upright position, sitting or squatting, helping herself with the force of gravity, helping engaging the baby better, helping herself with movement and correct breath.

Best wishes,