Reflexology to help labour?

[Chevy El Sancho]

Hi there,

Firstly, I qualified as a reflexologist with the AOR last year, but have yet to do the maternity course.

I'm currently 39 weeks pregnant and am interested in the concept of reflexology to help me during labour. I have read that stimulating the pituitary gland will help with contractions because of the release of oxytocin - have any of you had any experience with this? Have you found it to be helpful?

Does the release of oxytocin help to stimulate the uterus to contract or help with the pain or the intensity of the contractions?

At what stage in pregnancy do you / did you start to use certain points and would it be worthwhile me trying?

Many thanks in advance, I know there's quite a few questions here!

Laura x

 

[Kid Sister]

Hi Laura,

As you may have touched upon on your course, reflexology is very good for pregnant women, both throughout pregnancy and during labour. The various pregnancy courses will go into further detail.

Oxytocin does indeed stimulate the uterus to contract during labour. It also stimulates the breast to release milk during suckling.

As you are already at 39 weeks, then all reflex points can now be worked on with more work on the pituitary, hard on uterus and ovaries and medium soft on adrenals. There are particularly techniques to use on these reflex points which aren't covered in the genaral AoR course. I learnt them on the Louise Keet Pregnancy course.

Thyroid and lower spine should also be worked on.

At 40 weeks then the treatment should consist of at least 15 mins very hard on pituitary, uterus and ovaries and hard on thyroid, hip and lower spine.

If you near north London then I would be happy to show you more.

Hope all goes well.

Sx

 

[rxmedical]

Dear Sarah,

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me, with some excellent info.

I think I will try what you have suggested for this week, then try the 15 mins working once I hit 40 weeks (if I get that far...!!).

Mind you, that's if I can reach my feet for that long - I might have to teach my husband what to do!

Thank you very much for the offer, but I live in Essex, so quite a trek to North London, but appreciate the offer all the same .

Laura x

 

[Cesc Fabregas]

Hi Laura

I am almost finished my course in reflexology and at the begining of the course i was 6mths pregnant. I had reflexology every week up until i had my daughter. I would highly recommend reflexology during pregnancy as my i had NO PAIN from my contractions, wasnt even sure i was in labour and my active labour lasted 8mins!!

Contractions started about 5am on Wed arrived at hospital at 7.20am had Hollie at 7.28am. No time for gas and air. It was pretty sore but i couldnt believe how fast it was and how much less painful it was this time around. Was out hospital for 10am!!

My first daughter dragged it out for a good 18 hours and i had loads of gas and air. I tell everyone it was the reflexology. Once i hit 40 weeks my therapist worked the pituitary and ovaries etc

Hope it works for you too. Let us know

x

 

[leviathan74666]

Hi Laura,

Am also an AOR reflexologist and completely agree with everything Sarah7 has said, only thing I would say in relation to your response is, if you can get your husband or another kind volunteer to do it for you, I would definitely do so- not meaning to sound patronising, as I'm sure you remember from the course, but you'll feel more benefit if you relax whilst your feet are being worked, and would probably be more comfortable for you!

Also, for a more approachable area, why not try accessing the pituitary via your thumb!

Sarah7, I was also a Louise Keet trainee

wendyk209, really glad to hear you had such positive results from reflex whilst you were pregnant. I love reflexology and it's so nice to hear when other people do to

x

 

[yyyyyy]

Great advice,thank u 4 sharing,have a girl at mo who's Pituarity Gland has been popped out 4 weeks but stil no sign of labour,not due until end May but she felt her due date was end April,funny how this popped out arnd this time.

Will follow this techniques wen she comes 2moro,as last time she had to be chemically induced & it took a long painful time,so even thou I dont agree with forcing baby to come early anything I can do to ease thhings 4 her without havin to be induced by drugs can only b for the good.

Moontara xxx