PREGNANCY

PRENATAL CARE

Pregnancy and childbirth are one of life’s greatest miracles. Before meeting your baby it is a time of great anticipation and excitement, but also brings with it unique challenges. Taking good care of yourself and your growing baby is now a priority. Although you will be supported by an antenatal team of medical professionals it is important to remember that it is a natural process. It is a time of being receptive and getting all the help you can.

POSTNATAL CARE

This is a time when women most need support and nurturing. I encourage my clients to get as much help as they can and to rest for a full month so they can recover fully while bonding with their baby. If you are considering growing your family, this time of restoration is very important so you are not depleted for your future pregnancies. 

The holistic therapies I offer can gently support you throughout your pregnancy and prepare you for the birth of your child. Postnatally they will help bring you back into balance, as you adapt to being a new mother. 

MATERNITY REFLEXOLOGY

Maternity reflexology provides the perfect opportunity for you to put your feet up, relax and enjoy being pampered during your pregnancy. It is supportive during all stages of your pregnancy and the post-natal period. Regular sessions throughout your pregnancy, increasing in frequency closer to the due date are recommended to help you maintain balance while many physical changes take place. 

LABOUR INDUCTION AND PREPARATION

Reflexology can be used to help prepare your body for giving birth and gently encourages the onset of labour if you are overdue. It is recommended you have regular sessions in the last trimester as preparation for labour. From 38 weeks I can work specific points for priming labour. At this stage 1-3 weekly sessions can be given. I will show you points to work on yourself or that your partner can use on you to help initiate labour if your baby is ready. 

BENEFITS OF REFLEXOLOGY DURING PREGNANCY

  • Relaxes and releases tension
  • Reduces anxiety
  • Relieves heartburn
  • Encourages restful sleep
  • Supports digestion
  • Improves circulation
  • Reduces swelling of feet and ankles
  • Reduces leg cramps and restless legs
  • Prepares the body for labour

CONTRA-INDICATIONS TO REFLEXOLOGY DURING PREGNANCY

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • Pre-eclampsia
  • Pre-term Labour
  • Placenta Previa (Grade 2, 3, 4 at 32 week +)
  • Polyhydroamnios
  • Olgliohydramnios
  • Vaginal Bleeding
  • Placenta Abruption

POSTNATAL REFLEXOLOGY

The postnatal period is a time you most need support as a new mother. Reflexology treatments are a wonderful way to nurture yourself and can accelerate the natural healing process following birth, whether natural or by C-section. By promoting relaxation it can help balance hormones and emotions, as well as  encouraging you to sleep when exhaustion can be overwhelming during this time when your baby is feeding around the clock.

HERBS DURING PREGNANCY

HERBS AND PRENATAL CARE

Herbs have been used in pregnancy and childbirth throughout history. Traditionally herbalists would have had midwifery skills and midwives would have been trained to use herbal medicine. There are many gentle, nourishing herbs that can be safely used in pregnancy for common complaints where medications are not suitable. In the first trimester herbs are only prescribed when indicated.

HERBS AND POSTNATAL CARE

After you have given birth herbs can support you in your recovery, physically and emotionally. They can be used to nourish you, restore your vitality and strength, for hormonal balancing, to increase breastmilk, to tone and heal the uterus, to heal the uterus and surrounding tissues after a C-section and help the body adapt to the change of lifestyle as a new mother. They may help reduce anxiety and prevent post-natal depression, improve digestion and much more. Breastfeeding mothers can also support their babies by passing herbs via their breast milk. In this case only herbs suitable for breastfeeding are prescribed. 

As part of your herbal prescription I may add flower remedies to support any emotional issues that arise. Local skin treatments can also be prescribed for healing the perineum and post C-section scars in the form of oils, creams and tinctures.

SINGLE THERAPY PREGNANCY CONSULTATION TIMES

Initial Maternity Reflexology Consultation: 1 hr   Follow ups: 1 hr

Initial Herbal Medicine Consultation: 1 hr  Follow ups : 30 - 45mins

Combination PREGNANCY Consultation TIMES

Initial Herbal Medicine + Reflexology Consultation: 2 hrs  Follow ups: 1hr 30mins