Is Reflexology When Pregnant a Good Idea?

“There is such a special sweetness in being able to participate in creation.”
~ Pamela S. Nadav

Imagine a calm and peaceful time for growing your baby in your womb, tranquil and serene. Your feeling of love is truly overwhelming. Your thoughts are positive, loving, caring, and nurturing. It’s an experience like no other.

Getting pregnant is usually cause for celebration. Yet, whether it’s about pain, anxiety, or runaway emotions, most women find they will also require some extra support throughout their pregnancy. There are a number of ways reflexology can keep your pregnancy memorable, undeniably wondrous, and a unique life-changing experience.

What is the primary goal of Laura Norman Reflexology for pregnancy? To promote and support your health, your fetus, and your partner, on both the physical and emotional levels.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a natural complementary therapy. It works because there are specific areas on your feet, hands, face, and ears that, when stimulated using special finger techniques, affect every part of your body.

It has existed in some form for thousands of years, with ancient Egyptian and Chinese natural medicine confident of its benefits. Since the early 20th century, reflexology has also been recognized in the Western world as a powerful healing technique.

Some have questioned whether reflexology can be used safely throughout your pregnancy. I have been providing reflexology to pregnant women for over fifty years. Reflexology is safe, effective, and wonderful during pregnancy.

Reflexology eases your Pregnancy Journey

It has many benefits at different stages of your pregnancy, and reflexology sessions complement whatever medical treatment or advice you are already receiving from your doctor, doula, or midwife.

Reflexology sessions can address common issues during pregnancy such as constipation, low back pain, and heartburn, as well as anxiety, stress, and hormonal swings. Reflexology is also a blessing as you prepare to deliver, and can provide welcome support postpartum.

The personal attention, profound relaxation, and healing touch you experience during a reflexology session help you develop resilience while you sustain your physical and emotional health throughout your pregnancy.

“Giving birth should be your greatest achievement, not your greatest fear.“
~ Jane Weideman

Reflexology can support successful conception plus your next nine months

When couples first attempt to conceive, they may find that the process hasn’t been as smooth or easy as they anticipated. Reflexology can prepare women, and their partners, emotionally and physically for conception.

Following conception, the first trimester is when there are huge changes in hormone levels. It’s common to feel happy, anxious, worried, exhilarated, weepy and exhausted, sometimes all at the same time!

During this first stage of your pregnancy, Laura Norman Reflexology sessions assist you to relax, de-stress, and provide ongoing physical and emotional support.

As your pregnancy progresses, reflexology has been shown to help balance the hormonal and emotional rollercoaster that pregnancy creates and can ease feelings of anxiety.

In addition to helping with the emotional effects of pregnancy, reflexology can also ease:

morning sickness and nausea
lower back pain
sciatica
anemia
effects of SPD/PGP
heartburn
varicose veins
headaches
fatigue
constipation
cramps
high blood pressure
adema (swelling)
insomnia
itching
respiratory problems/shortness of breath

Reflexology encourages natural labor and delivery

Midwives and doulas often recommend reflexology to promote natural labor and to help the mother to relax while waiting for the baby to arrive.

As your due date gets close, or you’re overdue, Reflexology can help to release stress and anxiety in preparation for labor. Reflexology is often used to naturally induce labor, and avoid a C-section, in babies who are a bit reluctant to arrive!

“A newborn baby is the beginning of a dream of possibilities.”

Reflexology’s benefits continue after birth

Congratulations, your baby’s been born! It’s the start of a new and exciting time with your new arrival. And it can also bring new challenges. Falling hormone levels can leave you feeling low, tearful, or anxious, questioning if you are doing everything right. These feelings can be exacerbated by a lack of sleep.

Many research studies have shown that post-natal women have improved quality of sleep after reflexology sessions. Reflexology can also be used after birth to help with the natural healing processes of the body and mind as you recover from the stresses and strains of bringing a new life into the world. And reflexology has also been shown to support breastfeeding moms with improved milk production while assisting the menstrual cycle to return to normal in the months after birth.

Reflexology can also be useful to restore balance and boost recovery postpartum from:

changes to hormone levels
aching joints
cesarean section
epidural anesthesia
backache
breast engorgement and mastitis
fatigue
chronic pain
post-natal blues or depression
urination difficulties

Reflexology benefits babies, too

Your new arrival can also benefit from reflexology. Short, gentle sessions can help to soothe and settle upset little ones. I love to show new parents how softly stroking the feet relaxes their newborn, and how gentle pressure while breastfeeding can help the baby to digest effectively, reducing hiccups and gas.

Reflexology when pregnant is a great idea!

It’s also a proven way to improve your chances of getting pregnant. Whatever stage of pregnancy you’re in, or if you’ve recently given birth, reflexology sessions can support you in bringing your body and emotions into balance for your life-affirming experience.