Pregnancy Reflexology

Reflexology is a well-established, non-intrusive complementary health therapy that aims to re-balance the body through the stimulation of specific points/reflexes on the feet and hands. Reflexologists believe the feet and hands act as a miniature map of the body and when these reflexes are stimulated, a response can take place in the corresponding body parts. With approximately 7000 nerve endings in our feet, a reflexology treatment, can energise the entire body, relax us or encourage deep sleep.

There can be many explained and unexplained issues that cause unexplained infertility, repeated miscarriages, low sperm count and underlying health issues that may affect fertility. However, the natural fertility and preconception care charity ‘Foresight’ often recommends reflexology treatments can be beneficial along with advice on nutrition, allergies, intolerance’s and supplements.

Reflexology is generally considered safe to be used in conjunction with conventional medicines and is suitable for all age groups. Reflexology should not be used as an alternative to seeking medical advice.

What to expect

On the first visit a case history will be taken. Questions regarding medical background, current health and lifestyle will be asked. If appropriate, treatment will then be conducted.

The treatment itself is usually relaxing and consists of a variety of techniques applied by the practitioner’s thumbs and fingertips to the reflex points over the patients feet/ankles or hands. This is performed with the application of massage wax, talcum powder, cream or oil.

Occasionally patients report some tender points however, nothing should be painful. Individual reactions to reflexology greatly vary, to gain the most from your treatment it is advisable to relax after the treatment and drink plenty of water. Depending on the desired outcome of the treatment, the therapist may recommend a course of treatments.

(If trying to get pregnant, we believe to gain the greatest benefits, both partners should ideally receive treatments.)

Can Reflexology help me?

Reflexology is a holistic treatment that works differently on every individual, so it is not possible to predict individual reactions to treatments. The theory of reflexology is to help restore the body’s natural balance. Reflexologists do not claim to cure diagnose or prescribe.

Reported benefits of Reflexology

Reducing stress and anxiety
Promoting relaxation
Promoting restful sleep
Strengthens the immune system
Reflexology is suitable to use in conjunction with IVF treatments

Overdue delivery

When a pregnancy delivery is overdue and induction is imminent, a reflexology treatment may relax and reduce stress and anxiety of the mother thereby, possibly speeding up the arrival of a natural delivery.

When I went to see Chantal she straight away knew what I was suffering with and said ‘I can fix this’. Those words made my heart sing as the constant pain was getting unbearable

When I was expecting my second child, I was thinking about how my pregnancy and birth would go this time round, I was expecting it to be the same as the first. However, this pregnancy was totally different with feeling sicker to then getting horrible, crippling girdle pain during my second and third trimester. I had been seeing Chantal for my lower back pain before I got pregnant with my daughter in 2017 and she helped me stay strong and healthy throughout that pregnancy. This pain got so bad that I had to message Chantal during the Covid lockdown as I was barely able to walk, let alone play with my then 2-year-old daughter. I was struggling to put my trousers on as well as not sleeping due to not being able to get comfortable. When I went to see Chantal she straight away knew what I was suffering with and said ‘I can fix this’. Those words made my heart sing as the constant pain was getting unbearable. Even before the treatment started all Covid restrictions/ precautions had been taken and I felt very safe within her clinic. The treatment started and although it was painful the relief I felt straight away was amazing. She was able to make the pain reduce from 100% to 30% in 1 treatment. If I knew more about the signs to spot SPD then I would have got treated earlier as it was so easy for her to fix or potentially stop all together. After that first treatment, I was seeing Chantal every month to keep the SPD at bay before I gave birth. I had a home birth in the water, the most amazing experience and due to Chantal’s help, I recovered very quickly with not having any SPD pain after the birth of my son.

After my son was born, we both went to see Chantal who treated my son as he was suffering with not able to turn his head properly to the left. After she had seen this, she was able to diagnose that he was predominately head down in my left hip which caused the SPD for me and caused him to struggle to turn his head. She also diagnosed that his cranium bone was slightly moved due to being in my hip. She was so gentle with my son, treating the issues with his neck while I breastfed. I cannot recommend Chantal highly enough through pregnancy and afterwards. She is kind, knowledgeable and also always confident of her diagnosis, which defiantly put my mind at ease when it came to my new-born son.

Emma Richardson