MATERNITY COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES

£60  •  60mins

Having a baby is one of the biggest changes in a woman’s life. We all want it to be a joyous experience, but it can also be a time of worry and anxiety. Not least because there are so many different opinions in terms of what a woman should and shouldn’t do during pregnancy, which can make it hard for a mum-to-be to know what is and isn’t right. 

My experience as a maternity assistant led to a particular interest in complementary therapies for women before, during and after pregnancy, and I now offer a specialised service that can help through every stage of pregnancy. It is all about nurturing the mother-to-be by supporting and preparing the mind and the body. A holistic approach to pregnancy and childbirth includes the use of integrative therapies (also known as alternative or complementary therapies) to prevent or treat common discomforts and complications of pregnancy.

Reflexology

Maternity reflexology covers the pre-conception period as well as pregnancy followed by labour and the post-natal period. As the body goes through significant changes during pregnancy, these changes will affect the emotional, hormonal and physiological balance of your body. Regular reflexology can help to alleviate or prevent discomfort arising from these imbalances and restore the body’s equilibrium. 

During pregnancy

One of the greatest benefits of reflexology is general relaxation and stress relief, but it can also help to increase energy levels, alleviate heartburn, backache and relieve oedema (swelling of the feet and ankles). Reflexology can also help with ligament and groin pain, sciatica, constipation, cystitis, anxiety, insomnia and sleep problems. 

In labour

It is thought that women who have regular reflexology during pregnancy are more likely to have a shorter labour and require less pain relief. Other benefits include induction of labour, helping to accelerate regular contractions and preventing a retained placenta.

Postnatally

Reflexology can help to alleviate postnatal problems and help with breastfeeding. It also assists with inadequate lactation, engorged breasts, urine retention, constipation, backache, stress and anxiety problems, sleep problems, postnatal depression, as well as helping to boost energy levels.

Aromatherapy during pregnancy and childbirth

For women who are striving to reduce medical and/or technological intervention in preference for trusting their own body’s ability to give birth naturally, aromatherapy offers a holistic approach. As well as giving relief to minor discomforts during pregnancy, aromatherapy helps to keep the body in balance, both physically and emotionally, throughout each stage of pregnancy and labour.

The use of essential oils and their dosage are limited in pregnancy because of potential harm to the mother or baby, particularly in the first trimester when the baby is rapidly developing. Before any treatment, I conduct a thorough consultation and detailed evaluation of any essential oils I recommend. From a holistic point of view, I firmly believe that clients should advise their Midwife of the aromatherapy treatments they are receiving to ensure collaboration between all involved and, therefore, no fear of adverse reactions with any conventional treatments.