For many women being pregnant can trigger many emotions. Most of them positive, optimistic, excitement and expectation. However, sometimes you’ve got to muster up the strength to deal with occasional discomfort and the conditions that pregnancy brings. Muscle and nerve pain are typically at the top of this list. Know from the start that most soon-to-be-moms truly benefit from having reflexology during and post-pregnancy. A small number of women with some conditions should seek medical advice before undergoing reflexology when these conditions are present, but are not limited to, those with or at risk from deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and preeclampsia. As well, it is recommended that reflexology be avoided in pregnancy altogether at these times:
- First Trimester – starts from the first day of the last menstrual period through 12 weeks of gestation.
- Preterm labour – at any time before 37 weeks gestation.
- Placenta previa – if Grade II or III after 32 weeks gestation.
- Hydroamnios – if there is too much amniotic fluid around the baby after 32 weeks gestation
But, as mentioned, reflexology is safe in pregnancy provided all is going well with your pregnancy and your Reflexologist knows that you’re pregnant. There is no evidence to suggest that reflexology has ever caused the body to do something it didn’t want to do. Just to be clear, reflexology is the technique of gently applying pressure to the reflexes or pressure points on the feet or hands to clear the energy pathways that become blocked due to life’s stresses and strains. In a typical session, applying pressure and stretching the body in gentle ways to find the blockages helps restore the body’s balance and relieve tension. So how can reflexology help me when I’m pregnant? Leading up to labour some of the benefits includes relief from morning sickness, back aches, fluid retention, swelling of the ankles, and more. When labour begins, reflexology can be applied for relaxation and pain relief and may help shorten the length of labour. What a plus! In the days that follow after a baby is born, reflexology may help your endocrine levels return to normal, may help you heal faster if you experienced a tear during birth, increases milk supply, and may help with postnatal depression. Want to get more information? Please contact me to ask your questions and schedule a session.
Image used: “pregnancy-test,” Taken December 25, 2013 by TipsTimesAdmin, CC by 2.0
