Pregnancy

[GoodgirlgoneBad]

I have just been asked if I will take on a new client (through a friend) who is pregnant. In a few weeks time she will be over the first 3 months and is to contact me then. She would rather go on a referral.

This will be my first pregnant client. Can anyone advise me if it is okay to take her on (while in the meantime, I check the points that can and cannot be worked on) - or should i do a short course in maternity reflexology first?

 

[Lloyd]

...probably the 1st appointment is the most difficult.
If the client has had previous pregancies with no problems, then you can feel more confident with the treatment. If this is her 1st then go carefully. In either case- use a light touch, avoid the uterus, pituitary and lower back spinal nerve areas.
Depending on anything else revealed during consulation and treatment - watch out for a healing crisis. If the client has had reflexology or other comp therapies before, this may not be so in evident.
Also be careful if you use perfumed products, the sense of smell is heightned in pregancy and what smells lovely to us can make women gag.

Good luck and best wishes.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thats very helpful. Many thanks for the advice.

 

[SuperDuperGirl]

It is OK if you feel confident, comfortable and competent treating pregnant ladies, Jo. This applies to any client group really.

mysterious me makes some good points, and here are a few additions. See if you can read up about using reflexology during pregnancy, talk to a colleague who has experience in this area, avoid using essential oils if you are not an aromatherapist (lavender and jasmine are two I know of that are contraindicated in some stages of pregnancy), be aware of the position you are treating pregnant ladies in as leaning back can making the heavily pregnant feel dizzy and very unwell (pregnant ladies are not meant to lie on their backs for any period of time and even a Lafuma can be too much for some clients), get as much information as possible about how they are and any problems they have, what has shown up on their blood tests, and so on. Serious complications of pregnancy such as pre eclampsia and higher grade placenta praevia are contraindications - a client of mine was told that she had Grade III placenta praevia or low lying uterus, and I consulted the AoR who advised me to stop treating her.

These are just some thoughts I have on pregnant clients in general. If you find it's an area you're interested in and enjoy, and you're attracting more pregnant ladies, then a course on maternity reflexology would be an excellent thing. I got a pregnant lady as one of my first clients after qualifying, and that prompted me to go on Susanne Enzer's excellent course. I learned lots and it gave me so much confidence in my treatments and in handling this client group in general. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[queenmorgan]

Very interesting. I dont use oils, just talc at the moment and I am interested in learning more about treating pregnant clients in the future, with the intention of doing Suzanne Enzer's course. I have just bought her manual as a guide and very confident in tyring out my first client. I will take all the points you and other members have given, seriously, and will chat to my previous tutor to make sure I have covered everything. I have also visited the AOR website and will contact them too if I need additional advice.

What you have said is so helpful and I shall of course proceed with the utmost care and caution.

Very many thanks, Jo

 

[sun_shark]

Hi Ladies
I worked on my first pregnant client last night - I did post about a week ago but no-one responded as I wanted this advice too. But after lots of research and a friend of mine who is now a midwife and reflexologist gave me advice and lots of her AOR manuals and books told me this....
Go through the consultation in detail.
Check for any previous unstable miscarriages and do not treat if bleeding unless otherwise stated by midwife it is now checked to be fine.
I asked questions like placenta previa, any unusual discharge, multiple pregnancy, hydro amnio - too much water around the baby, pre-eclampysia, headaches/mirgraine, dizziness, nausea, fortunately my client had none of the above and the evening she called me I suggested she just confirm with her midwife she gets the ok. Apart from a little Oedema around her ankles and her fingers, as she is 35 weeks today she is fine. She did state she had SPD - Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction so i worked on her so gently I hardly touched her!

My friend who is a midwife did say I can gently touch all the reflexes including the uterus but only very gently - and when i did so the baby kicked - and she had not kicked all night until then!
I did notice on her ovaries she had a little double line - could this be the placenta or should this be in the uterus - I am confused about this! I saw this on another client who is trying to conceive and I am convinced she is pregnant!
So if in doubt don't treat - or check with the clients midwife or consultant and check for bleeding history and unstable pregnancies. I agree don't use essential oils. Avoid area Spleen 6 on the ankle.
Good luck, relax and enjoy.
Bye for now
Trace x

 

[HalCariaae]

Great tips there, thank you so much