pregnancy - what the books say

"In pregnancy conditions such as nausea (particularly if it is associated with hormonal fluctuations), vomiting, oedema and heartburn respond well to reflexology.

Practitioners also claim good results with constipation both before and after the birth. Certain emotional states such as anxiety will also respond to stimulation of reflex points.

With the aid of reflexology, the mother may find she begins to sleep better and that her body becomes gradually strengthened against the debilitating effects of stress and anxiety."

"My inclusion of reflexology in the initial pregnancy strategies that I developed was accidental, yet it is now one of the most powerful tools in my program. You may find, as you have more and more treatments, it helps to identify areas within your body that need cleansing. Many of my mother's find their feet are indicators of their internal health and enjoy finding out how the reflex areas are improving with Reflexology as the weeks go by. As mothers progress through their pregnancies, they are quick to point out specific areas of tenderness in their feet that correspond to a physical weakness elsewhere, such as a tender sciatic nerve.

Reflexology is very safe in pregnancy and is instrumental in helping 45.5per cent of mothers give birth at their optimum gestation of 40 weeks. At term it can be effective in initiating contractions, by stimulating the pituitary, adrenal and uterine reflex areas."

"Reflexology can be very beneficial, to encourage relaxation and relieve the aches and pains of pregnancy. It is a good treatment for constipation, piles, backache, swelling, heartburn and cystitis, and can be helpful for nausea and vomiting that continues after the first trimester.

It can help pregnant women to sleep and may be best used as relief in labour; encouraging contractions or even stimulating them when labour fails to start naturally."

"Reflexology can treat back and neck pain, stiff joints, constipation, early morning sickness, restless legs, migraine and headaches, insomnia, fatigue and help induce an overdue labour. Many people comment on needing a bowel movement immediately following a treatment.

According to studies in England, regular reflexology treatments from mid pregnancy seem to lead to shorter, easier labours. It is believed reflexology stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin that helps contraction of the uterus. Some midwives in Australia are familiar with the reproductive reflex points located around the ankles. Can be useful for balancing the hormones in post natal depression, loss of libido, exhaustion, insomnia and stress."

Birthing, Labour outcomes

Dr. Gowri Motha and Dr. Jane McGrath, Forest Gate, London, England, Nursing Times, Oct. 11, 1989

"Thirty-seven of 64 pregnant women, who were offered free reflexology, completed the set course of ten treatments. The effects of reflexology on labour outcomes were perceived as outstanding. Some had labour times of only 2 hours, some 3 hours. The 20 - 25 year olds had an average time of First stage labour of 5 or 6 hours. The 26 - 30 year olds seemed to have the longest labours. In total, the average first stage was 5 hours, second stage 16 minutes, and third stage 7 minutes. This is compared to textbook figures of 16 to 24 hours' first stage, and, 1 to 2 hour's second stage."

Milk secretion in new mothers

(1996 Beijing International Reflexology Conference (Report), China Preventive Medical Association and the Chinese Society of Reflexology, Beijing, 1996 p. 14

"Two groups of new mothers were followed for satisfactory lactation. A treated group of 100 was given foot massage within 30 hours after delivery and 17 were given foot massage from 30 to 120 hours after for 10 to 15 minutes a day. No treatment was given to a group of 100 women. In the treatment group, lactation was initiated in 43.47 hours (+12.39 hours). In the control group it was 66.97 hours (+28.16 hours). In 72 hours satisfactory lactation was documented in 98% and 67% respectively in the two groups. Foot massage was found help avoid use of drugs in lactation that may be harmful to the baby."