Reflexology to induce labour

[becks130]

Hi,

Has anyone tried relexology to induce labour? I am almost 35 weeks and wanted to find out if anyone knows when the best time to start relexology is.

I have been told by my consultant that they will most probably start giving me sweeps at 37 weeks to induce labour as the baby is big and I have blood pressure problems and SPD in this pregnancy and my 2 previous pregnancies. I would rather try a more natural method of induction first as I know how uncomfortable sweeps can be .

Thanks

I did, but my reflexologist said she wouldn't begin until I was full term (so usual 40weeks for me). In the end I didn't have it til 40+9 but had an hour's session, she drew pressure point over my feet and ankles for DH to apply pressure to every hour, and went into labour about 8 hours later. But then I was 10days overdue so he might have come then anyway

I tried this. Practitioner wouldn't do it until 40 weeks.

It didn't work.

But then neither did three sweeps, two prostaglandin pessaries, manual breaking of my waters and 15 hours of intravenous seratocin hormone, so maybe I was expecting a bit much from some charcoal being wafted at my feet.

There is only one non-medical process that has been proved to encourage labour to start and that is nipple stimulation. Before you get too excited, you have to do it for a long time (hours) and it is only slightly better than doing nothing. Reflexology has not been shown to bring on labour.

I tried it - nothing. But it is a nice hour's relaxation :)

Hi Becks130,

Most reflexologists quailified in maternity won't use the points to bring on labour until your due date, unless you midwife recommends it for medical reasons.

You can have reflexology any time during your pregnancy, after 14 weeks. A reflexologist qualified in maternity will know to avoid the uterus & pituitary gland reflexes.

Studies have shown that having it in the last 6 weeks of your pregnancy can help reduce labour times, there is a little bit about this research on my website if you want to have a look or do a search.

www.au-naturel.org/maternity_reflexology.html

I hope this helps.

Lisa

Hi have a good chat with the reflexoglist.

I am tempted to have a go at 37 weeks to avoid an induction at 38wks.

You are classed as at term from 37 - 42 weeks so if you have a Frank discussion and maybe show notes they may be willing.

Lisa . Great website. Am not a million miles away from you so if local specialist is fully booked may be giving you a call!

I got to 11 days past due date, went to see reflexologist and she said I would go into labour within 48 hours, and I did! Loved the session too, and my reflexologist didn't "Wave charcoal at my feet"!

Reflexologist is in the local town and my community midwife sends a lot of her overdue ladies there! Not on NHS, but recommends it as a natural way to get things going.

I think acupuncture did it for me.

hi - i just wanted to really recommend my reflexologist Emma Gibbons, I see her in Greenwich but she also works in other areas of London. Her mobile is 07971881006. She is a specialist in fertility and pregnancy and comes highly recommended for both. Pls pay her a visit if you are thinking of reflexology as the benefits in pregnancy are well worth it.[http://www.soorganicgreenwich.com/treatment/holistic-therapies/emmagibbons/]

MY pg pilates/yoga teacher is also a reflexologist, and has always sugguested massaging the undersides of our big toes from 38 weeks on...