By Monica Codevilla, Dip. Th. Reflexology & Meridian Th.
Reflexology is a pressure point therapy targeted at specialised areas on the feet and lower legs. A typical session leaves one feeling pleasantly serene, and lighter on their feet. More frequent sessions are one of the safest, most effective ways to ease symptoms throughout pregnancy, help encourage a shorter, easier labour, and aid recovery after birth(1).
Genesis Clinic is paving the way for safe natural birth in South Africa. This often means that if a mom wants to avoid pain medication and other medical interventions, natural measures such as the help of a doula, reflexology and massage are often encouraged by Genesis staff.
Reflexology is becoming a sought after therapy in the obstetric world. Some midwifery colleges in Australia endorse reflexology training for their midwives (2), and the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, even have their own Reflexology Department (3).
Dr Gowri Motha, inspired founder of “The Gentle Birth Preparation Method” or “The Jeyarani Way”, is a keen advocate of reflexology during pregnancy. She has found reflexology “to be safe during pregnancy in terms of helping mothers to go all the way to term and beyond, with a reduction of the common symptoms of pregnancy”. She has also noted that prenatal reflexology may provide a sense of well-being, along with reduced swelling and achinessin the feet, improved sleep quality and digestion, and if used during labour, may help encourage contractions and shorten labour (1).
I did a lot of work as a Doula (labour companion) last year for Genesis, where I was often called in to assist moms that wanted to try natural alternatives to pain medication. We found reflexology especially beneficial at the early stages of labour, whereby it relaxed moms, and seemed to take the edge off the pain. Sometimes I'd come in later in labour if a mom didn't seem to be progressing fast enough. Here, reflexology point stimulation often seemed to get things going.
While research in reflexology is lacking, some findings are worth a mention. Reflexology is known to help reduce pain. Controlled studies demonstrate this (4). Obstetric studies show that reflexology has pain relieving effects for moms during labour (5)(6), and that shorter labour times result(7).
In another trial, “ women found a decrease in stress, tension, anxiety, pain, tiredness, discomfort and irritability. Most noticing “more movement,” “not as tight,” “less swelling” in their feet.(8)(9)
Many moms come to me because they have heard that reflexology can help them relax. Fatima Kola, after exploring reflexology during her first pregnancy, came to me for regular treatment during her second pregnancy. She feels that reflexology helped alleviate her nausea, and backache, and contributed to her swift recovery after birth. She also reckons that the calming effect the treatments had on her, have helped calm her baby girl.
In today's day and age, in which child birth is so often portrayed as a “procedure requiring hospitalization and medical examinations to ensure safety”, its no wonder that mothers are anxious before birth.
The University of Maryland Medical Centre agrees that stress has been linked to higher risk for complications in birth. They also say that ”stress experienced by expectant mothers can even influence the way in which the baby's brain and nervous system will react to stressful events”(10).
It makes sense to find a therapy that can help mothers-to-be remain calm and centred in preparation to enter their birth space. Reflexology may be the answer to this, and more.
Other tried and tested helpers:
For swollen feet during pregnancy and after birth:
*Massage treatments will increase circulation. *Swimming and bathing may help counter oedema by pushing fluid back into the cells. *Healthy water intake, along with a vegetable rich diet may help reduce water retention.
Pain-relief during labour:
*Genesis Clinic has beautiful gardens to walk around during labour - walking will increase 02 to the uterus. *There are also large baths and showers for moms to labour in at Genesis Clinic. Warm showers and baths have been proven to reduce pain significantly (11). *Other invaluable pain management support can be provided by your doula (12). *Heat packs are also useful, while some moms find benefit from the TENS machine.
Monica Codevilla
Dip. Reflexology & Meridian Therapy
Tel: O76 793 9O81
Email: yourhealingco@gmail.com
Site: www.yourhealing.yolasite.com
References:
(1)http://www.gentlebirthmethod.com/birth_prep/body_reflexology.html
(2)http://www.midwives.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=MIDW/ccms.r?PageId=10043
(3) Kevin Kunz, Barbara Kunz, “Medical Applications of Reflexology: Findings in Research About Safety, Efficacy, Mechanism of Action and Cost-Effectiveness of Reflexology”, Reflexology Research Project, 2001
(4)http://www.reflexology-usa.org/assets/dr_shweta_research_study.pdf)
(5)McNeill JA, Alderdice FA, McMurray F., "A retrospective cohort study exploring the relationship between antenatal reflexology and intranatal outcomes," Complementary Therapeutic Clinical Practice 2006; 12: 11925. (Queen's University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Belfast, Ireland) (PMID: 16648089)
(6)Gabriella Bering Liisberg, "Easier Births Using Reflexology","Tidsskrift for Jordemodre", No. 3, 1989.
(7)Dr. Gowri Motha and Dr. Jane McGrath,"The Effects of Reflexology on Labour Outcome," Forest Gate, London, England.
(8)“Midwifery around the World”, Midwives of the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, Midwifery Today E-News, Vol. 3, Issue 7, February, 14, 2001 (http://midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0307.asp)
(9) Mollart L. 2003. "Single-blind trial addressing the differential effects of two reflexology techniques versus rest, on ankle and foot oedema in late pregnancy", Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery,9:203-8.
(10)"Effects on Pregnancy", http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_health_consequences_of_stress_000031_3.htm, © 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
(11) Cluett ER, Burns E. “Immersion in water in labour and birth”, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD000111. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub3
(12) Guadalupe Trueba, LCCE, FACCE, CD (DONA), Midwife, Carlos Contreras, MD, Maria Teresa Velazco, MD, Enrique García Lara, MD, and Hugo B. Martínez, MD, “Alternative Strategy to Decrease Cesarean Section: Support by Doulas During Labor”, Copyright2000, A Lamaze International Publication, Article: PMC1595013 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595013/)
Reflexology is a pressure point therapy targeted at specialised areas on the feet and lower legs. A typical session leaves one feeling pleasantly serene, and lighter on their feet. More frequent sessions are one of the safest, most effective ways to ease symptoms throughout pregnancy, help encourage a shorter, easier labour, and aid recovery after birth(1).
Genesis Clinic is paving the way for safe natural birth in South Africa. This often means that if a mom wants to avoid pain medication and other medical interventions, natural measures such as the help of a doula, reflexology and massage are often encouraged by Genesis staff.
Reflexology is becoming a sought after therapy in the obstetric world. Some midwifery colleges in Australia endorse reflexology training for their midwives (2), and the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, Ireland, even have their own Reflexology Department (3).
Dr Gowri Motha, inspired founder of “The Gentle Birth Preparation Method” or “The Jeyarani Way”, is a keen advocate of reflexology during pregnancy. She has found reflexology “to be safe during pregnancy in terms of helping mothers to go all the way to term and beyond, with a reduction of the common symptoms of pregnancy”. She has also noted that prenatal reflexology may provide a sense of well-being, along with reduced swelling and achinessin the feet, improved sleep quality and digestion, and if used during labour, may help encourage contractions and shorten labour (1).
I did a lot of work as a Doula (labour companion) last year for Genesis, where I was often called in to assist moms that wanted to try natural alternatives to pain medication. We found reflexology especially beneficial at the early stages of labour, whereby it relaxed moms, and seemed to take the edge off the pain. Sometimes I'd come in later in labour if a mom didn't seem to be progressing fast enough. Here, reflexology point stimulation often seemed to get things going.
While research in reflexology is lacking, some findings are worth a mention. Reflexology is known to help reduce pain. Controlled studies demonstrate this (4). Obstetric studies show that reflexology has pain relieving effects for moms during labour (5)(6), and that shorter labour times result(7).
In another trial, “ women found a decrease in stress, tension, anxiety, pain, tiredness, discomfort and irritability. Most noticing “more movement,” “not as tight,” “less swelling” in their feet.(8)(9)
Many moms come to me because they have heard that reflexology can help them relax. Fatima Kola, after exploring reflexology during her first pregnancy, came to me for regular treatment during her second pregnancy. She feels that reflexology helped alleviate her nausea, and backache, and contributed to her swift recovery after birth. She also reckons that the calming effect the treatments had on her, have helped calm her baby girl.
In today's day and age, in which child birth is so often portrayed as a “procedure requiring hospitalization and medical examinations to ensure safety”, its no wonder that mothers are anxious before birth.
The University of Maryland Medical Centre agrees that stress has been linked to higher risk for complications in birth. They also say that ”stress experienced by expectant mothers can even influence the way in which the baby's brain and nervous system will react to stressful events”(10).
It makes sense to find a therapy that can help mothers-to-be remain calm and centred in preparation to enter their birth space. Reflexology may be the answer to this, and more.
Other tried and tested helpers:
For swollen feet during pregnancy and after birth:
*Massage treatments will increase circulation. *Swimming and bathing may help counter oedema by pushing fluid back into the cells. *Healthy water intake, along with a vegetable rich diet may help reduce water retention.
Pain-relief during labour:
*Genesis Clinic has beautiful gardens to walk around during labour - walking will increase 02 to the uterus. *There are also large baths and showers for moms to labour in at Genesis Clinic. Warm showers and baths have been proven to reduce pain significantly (11). *Other invaluable pain management support can be provided by your doula (12). *Heat packs are also useful, while some moms find benefit from the TENS machine.
Monica Codevilla
Dip. Reflexology & Meridian Therapy
Tel: O76 793 9O81
Email: yourhealingco@gmail.com
Site: www.yourhealing.yolasite.com
References:
(1)http://www.gentlebirthmethod.com/birth_prep/body_reflexology.html
(2)http://www.midwives.org.au/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=MIDW/ccms.r?PageId=10043
(3) Kevin Kunz, Barbara Kunz, “Medical Applications of Reflexology: Findings in Research About Safety, Efficacy, Mechanism of Action and Cost-Effectiveness of Reflexology”, Reflexology Research Project, 2001
(4)http://www.reflexology-usa.org/assets/dr_shweta_research_study.pdf)
(5)McNeill JA, Alderdice FA, McMurray F., "A retrospective cohort study exploring the relationship between antenatal reflexology and intranatal outcomes," Complementary Therapeutic Clinical Practice 2006; 12: 11925. (Queen's University, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Belfast, Ireland) (PMID: 16648089)
(6)Gabriella Bering Liisberg, "Easier Births Using Reflexology","Tidsskrift for Jordemodre", No. 3, 1989.
(7)Dr. Gowri Motha and Dr. Jane McGrath,"The Effects of Reflexology on Labour Outcome," Forest Gate, London, England.
(8)“Midwifery around the World”, Midwives of the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, Midwifery Today E-News, Vol. 3, Issue 7, February, 14, 2001 (http://midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0307.asp)
(9) Mollart L. 2003. "Single-blind trial addressing the differential effects of two reflexology techniques versus rest, on ankle and foot oedema in late pregnancy", Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery,9:203-8.
(10)"Effects on Pregnancy", http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_health_consequences_of_stress_000031_3.htm, © 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC).
(11) Cluett ER, Burns E. “Immersion in water in labour and birth”, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD000111. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000111.pub3
(12) Guadalupe Trueba, LCCE, FACCE, CD (DONA), Midwife, Carlos Contreras, MD, Maria Teresa Velazco, MD, Enrique García Lara, MD, and Hugo B. Martínez, MD, “Alternative Strategy to Decrease Cesarean Section: Support by Doulas During Labor”, Copyright2000, A Lamaze International Publication, Article: PMC1595013 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595013/)
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