MATERNITY CARE
Maternity Reflexology and Yoga.
Reflexology is a wonderful treatment for pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care and can be used to support the care provided by the midwife, health visitor or consultant. Increasingly, midwives are suggesting that women try reflexology to help alleviate symptoms during pregnancy and many are training in the techniques themselves.
Reflexology offers a natural and safe way of helping you to cope with the rapid changes your body goes through during pregnancy and may help with related conditions that arise.
Relief of Symptoms:
Regular treatment throughout pregnancy or weekly sessions for the last 4-6 weeks of the pregnancy may help to ease anxiety, fear and tension; ease stress related conditions; normalise function of the body's systems; relax the diaphragm and calm the nervous system; induce relaxation and help to reduce levels of stress hormones in the body. This, in turn, supports the natural processes of birthing.
Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage (RLD) may be used for oedema during pregnancy - a lovely treatment for swollen ankles and tired painful feet!
Pregnancy Yoga:
Yoga during pregnancy builds physical and emotional strength - preparing and sustaining you for the birth of your baby. The practice increases flexibility and your ability to deeply relax, helping you to let go of tension and calm your mind, while the the breathing techniques will support you throughout. It’s a great way to stay active and has been shown to reduce anxiety.
It’s also a lovely way to make space and time to focus on your baby before they arrive and to feel more connected to your body and the changes that are happening for both you and your little one.
As well as having a therapeutic benefit, 1:1 classes can be ideal if your work or home life makes it difficult to attend a regular class. If you are new to yoga they can provide you with a solid foundation for your yoga practice - individual attention ensures that you fully understand each posture and practise and how to adapt them to your body and the class will be totally tailored to your needs, in that moment.
Small groups can also be accommodated upon request.
Sessions can be combined with reflexology if this is helpful/appropriate.
Postnatal:
Huge physical and emotional changes take place throughout pregnancy and postnatal reflexology sessions can be very supportive, helping to reduce stress and promote relaxation. This may allow for more productive lactation and the rebalancing of hormones and may be supportive in the treatment of postnatal depression.
These sessions can be used as time out for you if circumstances allow, although babies are always welcome. It is fine to feed during a session and often mums and babies will snooze together!
I am trained in baby reflex too so reflexology for your baby can also be incorporated into your session or can be offered as a stand alone treatment.
Fertility:
Reflexology may also be a beneficial treatment for those with fertility issues especially if no known cause has been identified by clinical tests. Stress can often create pressure on the systems that are vital to fertility and reflexology aims to reduce stress and the impact that it has on our bodies.