Anyone tried reflexology for induction?

[bumperlicious]

Thinking of booking a reflexology appointment for just after my due date to try and speed things along (39 weeks tomorrow and no sign yet!). Just wondering if anyone else has tried it. The women I'm considering is a reflexologist with more 'clinical' training (not just beauty therapy type reflexologist) and a memeber of the NHS Directory of Reflexology.

Just wondering if it worked for anyone else?

ROFL bumper - you are getting desparate huh!!!!
i had DH rubbing the labour inducing part of my foot (as shown to me by my reflexologist) - every night for a week before Abbie was born - i'll save you a few pounds and tell you exactly what to do if you want but it certainly didn't work for me!!! - mangos that was my trick!!

you'll probably need more than one session (I aim for 3 sessions - I was trained in reflexology for pg by a midwife and am a "clinical" reflexologist) good luck

Just want to feel like I'm being proactive derlor - seeing as this LO isn't!

If you could describe it to me that would be great!

Thanks purplepants - at 35 quid a pop and £46 for the first session I really can't afford to go the whole hog!

I had a reflexology session, by a MW, when I was 39 wks + (I think!) and I went to 40+5, so I would say, it didn't work for me. But it was just the one session.

or you could get your DH to come with you & draw a picture the points so he can do them for you too (I had a diagram I used to give out to my clients for exactly this)

deciding on a date you want to give birth helps too and mentally repeating "I am going to have this baby on ...." each night (the mind is a powerful thing)

Thanks purplepants, will try the positive thinking - esp since we have a sweepstake on my due date !

right Bumper if you look at this diagram at pressure point 34 here which is just below your inner ankle bone you will feel/see a swelling. this point of your foot can when rubbed in latter pregnancy induce labour. It is only swollen when you are
a) ovulating
b) pregnant
c) breast feeding
(according to my reflexologist)
put pressure here and get DH to rub here A LOT and think positive thoughts, eat mango, pineapple, and a hot curry all at the same time - then have some sex and just before you settle down for the night scrub your floors - baby should be born in no time good luck xx

also massage a point 4 fingerwidths up from your ankle bone (inside of leg - likely to be tender) and on top of foot an inch or so down between 3rd & 4th toes (nipple point - you'll find it as it'll be tender too) HTH

and point 17 on derlor's diagram is great for relaxation - esp during labour

LOL Bumper - am considering the same and am 2 weeks behind you! Apparently accupuncture is meant to be very good as well. Will also ask my homeopath tomorrow which remedies are good and let you know.

Hey

I have been having reflexology every week for the past 3 months - and it's lovley if nothing else.

My therapist only started working on the labour area (in delors diagram) once I was past 37 weeks tho.

I had a session on Saturday - am booked in for Wednesday - and then Saturday again - so I'm givin it a good shot!

MW came for a visit today and realised that not only did I have a 'show'on Saturday (I wasn't sure what it was - Durrrr) but the baby is now very engaged - and ready for blast off and I am not 39 weeks until Wednesday! Happy days! But not gettin too excited - It still could be a while yet!

I had two sessions - mainly out of desperation.

IMO it didn't work.

I had proper reflexology six days before ds was born, but the day before my sister did some with me telling her where to press from what the reflexologist had told me. If nothing else it is very relaxing and worth doing imo.

Thanks for all the help, have emailed this thread to DH so he can put it into practice

Is there nothing that someone on mumsnet doesn't know?!

i had a session at 39+3 when pg with ds1

convinced reflexologist to "go for it" despite me not being quite 40wks

she worked hard on the area on the inner heel and it was quite tender

went into labour a few hours later

will never know if it did the trick, but would try it again

Had reflexology the day after my due date. Went 14 days overdue and had to be induced. Also tried accupuncture and homeopathy and would have probably eaten my own shoes, but nothing worked. The reflexology was nice and relaxing though.