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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

anyone tried reflexology to start labour? did it work?

34 replies

jimmijam · 19/08/2011 22:29

hi, just wondered if it may be worth the money? have found somewhere locally that does it (tho it doesnt say to bring on labour) for £28 for 50minutes. also thiking of trying it just for a bit of a pamper session :-)
am 38 weeks

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NatzCNL · 19/08/2011 22:52

Sorry, no experience of it here, but also interested to find out if this would work. Am 35 weeks and quite keen to get the ball rolling in the next couple of weeks!

Best of luck to you Jimmijam, and if you try it and it works, please let me know

jimmijam · 19/08/2011 23:43

Will do. If i do try it will prob b towards end of next week. Hoping to hear others experiences 1st

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nannyl · 20/08/2011 07:33

my friend tried it with her 1st and it didnt work

but she needed to be induced at 37 weeks, (due to health complications) so was trying it very very early. (ie after / about 36 weeks)

she tried everything there was going to go into labour naturally too lol!

froggers1 · 20/08/2011 07:38

Hi - I am a reflexologist and have tried to induce lots of labours. A good reflexologist won't do an induction reflexology session until your due date. I would actually recommend acupuncture to be honest. It is better at inducing labour. Again though not til your due date! Reflexology is very good for the rest of pregnancy though!

robino · 20/08/2011 07:39

I had it with DD3. I was overdue (unfortunately, this being DD3 my memory of it all is already hazy and she's only 6 months old!). I think I was 8 days over, had reflexology early Thursday afternoon, had a show that evening. Saw the MW for a 2nd sweep on the Friday morning who said that from what she could feel she couldn't believe I wasn't already in labour. Waters broke at about 9pm that night, DD born 4 hours later. Make of that what you will!

messybear · 20/08/2011 07:42

I tried it when I was 1 1/2 weeks overdue, along with all the other old wifes tales. Nothing worked and It was induced and ended up having a c -section. However it was a very relaxing enjoyable experience so I would still recommend a go if you are feeling stressed. Who knows, it must work for someone?

plusonemore · 20/08/2011 08:07

I had it at 40+6, a Saturday. I had reflexology, acupuncture and also had a 'remedy' to drink. Contractions started 24hrs later. It was very relaxing, I was worried about the acupuncture but that was fine.

mamalocco · 20/08/2011 08:31

A friend was induced in hospital with reflexology. She had been having treatments anyway and for medical reasons needed to be induced early. I tried it when overdue with DD2 - I did feel some contractions a couple of hours later but they didn't amount to anything and DD2 arrived two days later.

vallinnapod · 20/08/2011 09:47

Had reflexology yesterday....still pregnant today Absolutely no signs of any movement! It shouldn't be relaxing though as it is quite an invasive treatment for induction - I thought she was dislocating my toe at one point . That said, it was still reasonably relaxing despite being so uncomfy - if that makes any sort of sense!!

I have supported my pregnancy with regular acupuncture (IVF so had it from before conception right up to now) and have an induction session with my acupuncturist next week. As a previous poster has stated, I have been told before that acupuncture tends to yield better results all round that reflexology (for all ailments) but my guess is it very much depends on the person and the practitioner.

I also believe that bar any medical induction, these things will only work if bub is pretty much there of their own accord

sleepevader · 20/08/2011 18:55

Hi was wondering if they would try the therapy on me earlier if I could get a letter from midwife confirming an induction date.

I have already been advised that due to gestational diabetes they may not let me go to term and I'm keen to avoid a failed induction and subsequent c section

juneau · 20/08/2011 18:57

Acupuncture gave me such strong braxton hicks that I thought I was going into labour (I wasn't). Then after a pregnancy massage I did go into labour 48 hours later.

worldgonecrazy · 20/08/2011 19:15

I had my waters break before labour, so I knew we were on a tight time limit to go into labour naturally due to risk of infection. So I had acupuncture, ate about 5 whole pineapples and sniffed clary sage like it was going out of fashion. We also had sex and I ate curry. DD came just in time to prevent intervention to kick of labour.

Poppet45 · 20/08/2011 19:24

I had it when I was two days overdue with DS - she said she wouldn't feel comfortable trying to bring on a labour so soon after due date, because they can be wrong, but would try to remove any mental blocks/worries I had that might be stopping me go into labour. I went into labour that night, and if this one goes over I'll try it again. As you say, at the very least its one last lovely pamper session for a very long time.

jimmijam · 21/08/2011 20:44

Thanku all!!! Think i shall wait a bit, if i go overdue and start getting fed up or decide i dont want a c-section (cant b induced) i will b booking in for a session, even if it is 'just' to relax :-) best of luck 2 u all in ur labours x

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drcrab · 21/08/2011 20:55

Had a couple of sessions when I hit 40 weeks. 2nd session by the next day I had to go in and baby was born following day. Could feel lots of useful contractions though whilst she was doing the reflexology. I would recommend it at least for the relaxation!!

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 21/08/2011 21:12

Yup, had a session when 9 days overdue and went into labour 6 hours later. The reflexologist drew pressure points on my feet and ankles which DH did every hour after the session

jimmijam · 27/08/2011 10:28

hello all, got a session booked in for wednesday (will be 39+5). though hoping all will be over by then! :-)

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Fluter · 27/08/2011 12:36

My acupuncturist said her labour was set off by reflexology..... still, I suppose you can't stick needles in yourself quite so well!

Ilovekittyelise · 27/08/2011 16:04

i've not tried reflexology, but have had acupuncture twice this week! im only 38 weeks (today) but being induced at 39+3 so was hoping to get things going naturally. whilst im clearly not in labour yet, theres been a lot of menstrual like cramping, the bump has visibly descended, and i somehow feel in a serene place where im not terrified with the idea of a medical induction. acupuncturist seemed convinced it would happen soon (this was yesterday). i'll keep you posted; at worst, it has been good emotionally, i will be having a cervical examination on wednesday and if the thread is still going let you know whether its favourable!

hayleysd · 27/08/2011 16:07

Someone I know said she looked after a friends young baby for an hour as the hormones are supposed to bring on labour, she had her baby that night! Never heard this before but worked for her!

jimmijam · 27/08/2011 16:14

ah wish i knew someone nearby with a baby now! :-)

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jimmijam · 06/09/2011 14:55

Well i had a session last friday, gave me lots of big bh and was v. Nice! But still no baby. He/she just isnt ready yet! ...Or is enjoying the things ive been trying 2 get him/her out!!

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NatzCNL · 07/09/2011 15:00

Thanks for updating Jimmijam - hopefully baby will make a move soon. Im 38 weeks tomorrow and have stocked up on the pineapple and planning a few long walks. Waiting to hear back from my nan's reflexologist for an appointment in the next couple of weeks.

Best of luck with the new arrival xx

SpannerPants · 07/09/2011 18:32

It didn't work to get labour going but it was very relaxing - I fell asleep 4 times in the hour-long session but woke myself up with my snoring!

jimmijam · 09/09/2011 23:08

Haha spanner, i could have easily fallen asleep too :-)

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