Clare Minter Reflexology & Wellbeing
Saffron Walden, Essex

Feeling anxious about giving birth?

Putting time aside for regular reflexology treatments in the lead-up to your baby’s arrival, not only ensures you invest in the new little life growing within you, but could also affect your labour outcome!

Research has found that first time mums who received 10 reflexology treatments leading up to birth, had average labour times of 5 to 6 hours - the textbook average is 24-48 hours! It was also noted that the group treated with reflexology needed far less pain relief during labour. (2)

Over the years I have helped hundreds of expectant mums to prepare for labour!



Please be aware that as a professional Maternity Reflexologist, I work in a complementary way alongside the skilled work of your Midwife (your main healthcare provider during your Pregnancy).

You'll therefore need to confirm that your Midwife has been made aware that you'll be attending a reflexology session, prior to your first treatment.

Short film - One Woman's Experience of Pregnancy Reflexology

---

It's extremely likely that you'll experience some discomfort during your pregnancy. Common problems include:

• Morning Sickness
  
• Constipation
  
• Extreme fatigue
  
• Heartburn/Acid reflux
  
• Anxiety
  
• Mood swings

• Insomnia
  
• Fluid retention
  
• Back pain
  
• Hip/Pelvic pain
  
• Sciatica

Reflexology sessions may help ease many pregnancy discomforts and are a great way to 'switch off' and have some quality time, before your little one arrives.

With such dramatic changes going on, both physically and emotionally, now could be the perfect time to schedule some calming and restorative reflexology!

---

Sometimes a more complex health condition may develop during pregnancy...

Hyperemesis Gravidarum is thought to affect up to as many as 1 in 50 pregnant women and in extreme cases may cause dehydration due to constant vomiting. If you are one of the unlucky sufferers, you may have nausea and sickness throughout the day and have no appetite. The calming effects of Reflexology may be particularly beneficial and specific techniques can be used to help you cope with this condition.

Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP), also known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)), is a potentially debilitating complaint that may last throughout pregnancy. In more severe cases, crutches may be needed as pregnancy progresses, to help take pressure off the affected area. Reflexology sessions encourage relaxation and specific techniques may help in the treatment of this condition.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can affect some expectant mums - usually in the later stages of pregnancy. Pressure on the median nerve and tendons in the carpal tunnel of the wrist can cause pain/tingling in the hands, which travels up the arms and into the back. Reflexology lymphatic drainage techniques will encourage the elimination of excess fluid build-up, which seems to be a primary cause of the condition.

---

Only about 4% of women give birth on their 'Due Date’ and many have their babies after that. At 10 days or more post-term, a medical induction may be suggested to start and accelerate labour. But why not try a natural way to get things started first?

Reflexology promotes deep relaxation and eases muscle tension, which in the later stages of pregnancy may encourage you to ‘let go’ - sometimes with the desired effect! Specific acupressure techniques may be used to encourage the birthing process to start, but obviously your little one will only arrive when they are ready!

Feedback from clients who've had just one post-term reflexology session, has shown that they leave the therapy room feeling much calmer, more confident and better prepared for the birth of their baby.

---

Earlier in my career, I was able to work on a voluntary basis within a hospital Maternity Unit. I offered reflexology to women in labour and was delighted to see the impact it had on the birthing process. Reflexology techniques helped to;

• Relax and calm body and mind
  
• Regulate and relieve the intensity of contractions
  
• Provide natural pain relief

If you are in the later stages of pregnancy, I'll show you some simple hand reflexology techniques that you'll be able to use during labour. These will ensure that you remain calm and focused and may help to relieve pain - which may enhance your entire birthing experience!

---

Reflexology is a gentle and natural way to help you recover following the birth of your baby. Huge physical and emotional changes have taken place in the space of almost ten months and it will take a while for your body to return to normal...

In the days following childbirth, the sudden huge drop in hormone levels may leave you feeling overwhelmed. This happens to most new mums and is commonly known as the 'baby blues'. The disturbed nights that feature heavily in the early weeks can also lead to a feeling of sheer exhaustion!

The good news is that a nurturing postnatal reflexology session will give you an opportunity to rest and recharge, It will help promote your body's own natural healing processes and may help ease some common discomforts, such as breastfeeding issues and constipation.

Reflexology has also been shown to help lift low mood and enhance an overall sense of wellbeing!

---

If you’d like support during pregnancy and want to prepare for an easier labour, I’d love to help!




1 Valiani M et al - 2010 "Reviewing the effect of reflexology on pain and outcomes of the labour of primiparous women" Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 15(Dec) p302-310.

2 G. Motha and J. McGrath - 1992 "The effects of reflexology on labour outcome".

3 Li C-Y et al - 2011 "Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst post partum women" Midwifery. 27. p181-186