In the later stages of pregnancy from week 37, having weekly reflexology treatments can help to induce labour (only if your baby is ready to be born) and reflexology can also reduce your labour time to between 4-6 hours.
Reflexology can induce labour by:-
- Influencing cervical dilation and ripening
- Naturally stimulates uterine contractions
- Boosting energy
- Eliminating stress
- Calming the mind
- Providing relaxation
- Preparing the body for birth
This is achieved through the gentle application of pressure of reflex points of your feet, promoting uterine contractions and encouraging natural labour.
These are the reflex points are:-
- The adrenal gland– The adrenal gland is a key player in giving the body endurance and energy. It also strengthens the immune system and increases the ability to manage stress. Reflexology can help induce the secretion of adrenaline from the adrenal gland.
- The pituitary gland – Found at the base of the brain and known as the ‘master gland’, the pituitary gland is responsible for the secretion and management of all the hormones in your body. Applying pressure on the centre of the toe pads has an effect on the pituitary gland. A light but effective pressure of two to three minutes is applied to the centre of each toe, first on the right foot, and then on the left. When this is done, the brain produces oxytocin, which is responsible foruterine contractions. Uterine contractions are essential during labour. You might feel your baby move a lot during the treatment, and you do not have to worry as this is normal.
- Spleen 6– Stimulating the spleen can induce uterine contractions as well. Pressure is applied at Spleen 6 to reduce labour pain. For this, the pressure is applied a little above the inside of the ankles
Research by UK based obstetrician, Dr Gowri Motha has also shown a reduction in the likelihood of induction. The study showed that the effects of having reflexology treatments during pregnancy indicated that while the UK standard rate of induction is 21%, patients having 9 or more reflexology treatments had reduced the rate by 70% to only 6.5%.
There are certain contraindications for reflexology treatments, such as pre eclampsia.
The weeks and days prior to labour can be extremely stressful and worrying for a mothers-to- be. The most valuable thing in reflexology is calming the mother-to-be so she feels relaxed. Even if you are a first time mother-to-be or you have had a previous delivery where intervention was required or you are anxious about giving birth having regular reflexology treatments, will be beneficial. Some mothers-to-be will have a reflexology treatment 3 -4 weeks before giving birth once or twice a week, others might have reflexology when they are overdue and have 2 hours session sessions until they feel contractions coming on.
For further information contact Sandra at Body Spriti Mind and also this is an interesting and informative You Tube clip to watch.
