Pregnancy treatment ..please PLEASE help?!

[marinlabyrinth]

Hi there, im new to this site. Im qualified in reflexology and am preparing to treat two pregnant women ..bothover 6months. I have never treated a pregnant woman before and am apprehensive.
I was taught not to treat pregnant women before 12wks but these girls are well past that mark.
Im just feeling a bit worried about triggering something!
What do i need to avoid?what should i concentrate on?
should it be an overall gentle pressure/treatment?
please help!Thank you

 

[zombieombie]

hi rosie

i found an interesting book - 'gentle birth method - by dr gowri motha' really helpful. it will give you as a therapist guidance on the areas to workbut you will also find your fingers will read the feet as you would any other client.

my mentor's advice is stay away from the uterus & ovaries, avoid the endochrine system as well as the sciatica reflex area. areas that usually need a bit of attention is the heart reflex (as the heart take enormous strain), the kidneys that usually have to work so much harder, the spine, lymph and solar plexus reflex areas. there may be many more but this is a quick overview.

i love working with moms-to-be and is seriously thinking of just concentrating on that.

good luck and let me know how you get on!
dellieann

 

[ely dazzlepants :)]

It's a really good idea to get yourself enrolled on a maternity reflexology course if you want to treat pregnant ladies. It gives you a huge confidence boost as your knowledge and skills improve, and there is an awful lot to learn about pregnancy and what can happen to a woman and baby during their journey. The training highlights a lot of areas where special care is needed, and helps you to make decisions as to whether you want to treat the person or not. I can't help feeling that this is an extremely important time in a woman's life, and she is carrying a very precious cargo. I want to give her the best treatment that I possibly can. I don't want to put a dampener on things, but there are some very serious potential complications in pregnancy. As with all things, if you feel nervous and feel you don't know what you are doing, don't treat.

 

[frizfw]

hi rosie83 )[/align][/align]i have to agree with At One on this and disagree with dellieann.[/align][/align]i would certainly be treating the whole body... especially the endocrine system (which includes uterus and ovaries).[/align][/align]during basic training, we dont get a chance to "do" pregnancy... its almost as if a pregnant woman will explode should we touch them. because of that, we dont have the confidence to treat "knowledgeably" (eww dont like how i spelt that!).[/align][/align]as At One says... when in any doubt, as for any treatment, then DONT! never be afraid to refer to someone more qualified than yourself. we should all work within our own limitations.[/align][/align][/align]

 

[ZeeFfk]

I've lost count of the pregnant women I've treated now at all stages of pregnancy and it really isn't complicated.

Dellieann's info agrees with mine.That sounds a very good book. If you havent had a baby its a very good idea to read all the info you can get.

I did a course but it didn't really teach me anything I didn't already know.

The aor guidelines are not to stimulate the uterus or ovaries or pituitary refelxes until about the 38-39 week mark and then you can work them to help 'prime' the labour triggering hormones. Up till then I just hold theose reflexes and impart some energy to them. Its so fascinating watching the baby bulge grow up from the bladder reflex to the diaphragm at the term mark.

The reason for not also treating the sciatic reflex is that it runs over an acupressure point just above the uterus reflex, which is used to stimulated contractions.

The Mums should not be laying flat at the later stages as bloodflow is restricted. I often sit mine in a chair with their feet level with their hips.

Also use plenty of relaxology ( massage) it is so soothing for them and the babes seem to love it.

Jan
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[Stef Von B]

Thank you so much Jan - I'm 33 weeks pregnant, recently completed a reflexology VTCT cert and was self treating my feet today whilst at work, thinking....what is that bulge in my stomach reflex?!! I've watched my bladder get bigger and firmer for quite a while now, but it didn't dawn on me that I'd see baby buldging into my diaphragm, how excellent!

I've clearly got an awful lot to learn yet....! For what it's worth, I've loved the reflexology sessions I've had during my pregnancy, I think the treatments have helped me stay well and balanced emotionally and physically - a huge difference from how I felt during my first full term pregnancy.

I agree with Dellieann, Dr Motha is well worth having a look at, she's done some research into reflexology and its effects in pregnancy which shows very positive results for treatment, and she's very enthusiastic about its use, which is great.

I've found Beryl Crane's book helpful too, as she's got a lot of detail about the acupunture points in parallel with the reflex points, and explains why you must avoid certain points during pregnancy.

Thank you Rosie, what a good question, it's really made me think (and made me more determined to find a further course).

Good luck with the treatments,
all the best, Karen xxx
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[Joe Fish]

Congratulations Karen, how lovely. Youve got an excellent subject to observe and practice on then!!.

Jan xxx

 

[jud]

That's really lovely Karen, that you can observe your own 'pregnant feet'. What a great position to be in as a reflexologist. Best wishes to you!