As a qualified maternity reflexologist, Alison can work with you for pre-conceptual care; she can support you through your whole pregnancy, and help return your body to its pre-pregnant state after you have given birth.

Pregnancy should be a uniquely special time in a woman’s life.  Whether a woman is an expectant first time mother, or an experienced parent, every pregnancy is different.  Most women, on finding out that they are pregnant, immediately try to do the best both for their unborn child and themselves.  This includes things like supporting their body with healthy eating, cutting out any bad habits and trying to rest where possible.

Reflexology is a fantastic holistic therapy for the body and mind during pregnancy.  Any reflexology at all is beneficial, but studies have shown that regular reflexology in pregnancy may mean an easier and shorter labour with less need for intervention.  (Dr Gowri Motha – The Magic of Reflexology in Pregnancy, Reflexions – The Journal of the AoR, December 1994).

Reflexology is safe through pregnancy for the vast majority of expectant mothers.  It is a completely natural therapy, and cannot and will not make the body do anything unnatural.

Reflexology in pregnancy may:
• Reduce stress
• Improve breathing and circulation
• Boost the digestive system
• Normalise blood pressure
• Balance hormones
• Ease general aches and pains
• Ease sciatica
• Help alleviate morning sickness
• Assist with turning breech babies
• Assist with turning posterior babies
• Prime for labour. This is a specific technique
  for overdue pregnancies, which may facilitate
  the onset of labour.

However, in some pregnancies it is not possible to have reflexology, or reflexology has to be prescribed by the obstetric caregiver. These conditions include:

• Severe odema associated with hypertension
  and proteinuria – the three main symptoms of
  pre-eclampsia.  In this case, written
  permission needs to be given from the
  obstetric caregiver
• Eclampsia
• Ongoing vaginal bleeding – Written permission
  must be given from obstetric caregiver
• Deep Vein Thrombosis