Supporting you through your conception journey
There are many factors that may hinder conception, with stress being a common one. Cortisol (a hormone released in response to stress) can cause the release of an inhibiting hormone that reduces the production of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone. Both of these hormones are integral to the release of the egg and implantation of embryo after fertilisation. In other words, feeling stressed may be detrimental to the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.
If you are trying to conceive, reflexology may help support you both emotionally and physically by relaxing your mind and body, balancing hormones to help ovulation and boost your endocrine and immune systems - whether you have just started trying to conceive or have been trying for a while.
It may also be of benefit for your partner to receive reflexology as well, to help boost sperm count.
Supporting you through pregnancy
Reflexology aims to optimise the physical and emotional health of pregnant women. Receiving reflexology during pregnancy will also allow you time away from your probably busy life and provide a comforting place where you can focus purely on yourself and your growing baby. It can be used all throughout pregnancy. A full consultation will be taken to ensure that it is safe and appropriate to carry out a treatment.
First Trimester
The first trimester is a time when there are huge changes in hormone levels as well as anxieties and concerns about the changes that are going to happen. Both of these factors may leave you feeling delighted, anxious, exhilarated, weepy and exhausted - sometimes all at once!
Second and third trimester
In the second and third trimester, most of the discomforts of early pregnancy have gone; however, as the baby grows you may begin to experience other physical symptoms. Your stress levels may also rise as the birth becomes more imminent.
Reflexology may help with relaxation, general well-being and to address other health issues such as sleeping problems, should they arise.
Preparation for labour
As your due date approaches, you may find it useful to receive reflexology more frequently. Although there is no evidence that reflexology can induce labour, the general view is that it may help support the body to prepare for labour and promote relaxation at a time when anxiety levels are often high.
After baby is born
Apart from being exciting it can also be an exhausting time for you, as your baby may cause your usual routines to leave you with poor quality sleep and general tiredness! Reflexology may help to:
- Rebalance hormones to help regulate moods
- Stimulate the production of breast milk
- Regulate sleep/wake cycles to help encourage restful quality sleep
