Reflexology to encourage the start of labour - help please!

[Enigmatic Poet]

Hi there - have just had a call from a lady who has gone one day over her due date and is keen to start labour. I am a fully qualified relflexologist but this is a new one for me. I explained to her that I would be happy to treat her and she is coming tomorrow evening, but that of course I cannot promise miracles.
I am going to get my books out now but thought I would ask for some words of wisdom for you experienced ladies (and men!).
This is her first baby and she has had no complications during pregnancy.
Any advice gratefully recieved.

Thanks vida
ps. have checked out links on the pregancy/infertility links on top of reflex page but not found what i was looking for

 

[C0lOMBiiAN-BABee]

Hi Vida,

I'm not an experienced reflexologist, I've only recently passed but I was pregnant whilst training so did try lots of reflexology to bring about labour.
I do personally believe that nothing will make that baby come unless its ready but I did experience mild pains after treatments even though the baby did not actually arrive until I was 16 days over.

I've read up a bit and as well as working the reproductive area you should also treat the chest to aid breathing in labour and the adrenals for energy levels and muscule function during labour.

Also could you show her some areas on her hands that she could work during labour.
As I said before my son was still very late but my labour was very quick I barely made it from the ward down to the delivery suite so I like to think that all the work on my hands and the pestering my husband to massage my feet actually paid off.

Tid.

 

[ernie]

Most babies will only come when they're ready. What you can do is explain to the Mum that you will treat her for her holistic health and well being and to promote relaxation, to avoid her 'expectations' being disappointed.

You can at this stage now treat her pituitary/hypothalamus and repro's again which could help, try linking them. The spinal + link to help a good blood supply and solar plexus would be beneficial.

There is also an acupressure point between the ankle bone and achilles, you cover this when you treat the sciatic reflex, so thats a good one to use.

Best of luck

Jan

 

[Maxwell]

Thanks both for your replies. Feeling much more prepared to treat her now
Vida

 

[mustagme]

Only one thing to add here. You can gently squeeze the Achilles tendon working along its length. Other than that, good luck and as the others have said, baby will decide when it is ready to be born!!

 

[beepop]

Very gently Siobhan, as this can, in some cases, cause the bowel to open!

Lesley

 

[Jay B]

ahh yes, but you do want to stir up energy in that area!!!

 

[Sapphirexx]

oh dear Lesley, I didn't know that, I tend to finger walk part way up the achilles, will be very careful in future

Jan x

 

[Football Playyya]

hmmm... well in my training, to energise the pelvic area and help to get labour going... get vigorous! forget all the gentle stuff of what you do during pregnancy... you want to shake the area up, energise baby and all that. so vigorous ankle wiggles or boogies, good stimulation on uterus/ ovaries/ bowel. good prod to hypothalmus/ pituitary. acu points S 6 and B67 and B60.

regular treatment to, end with a nice endo balance and maybe lymph drainage massage.

but very firm prods!!

 

[**DANY**]

My lady came for a second treatment this morning and today I did get vigorous and things started happening! I went along with gut instinct, she had felt good after first treatment, brighter, less back pain, sleeping much better and more braxton hicks/contractions. This morning my gut instinct as I started warming the feet up told me to get in deeper to the relevant areas and get them moving, as you say Rosie, it certainly seems to have worked and I'm hoping to hear baby news over the next day or so!! Only thing is now I am broody!!
Vida