Any experiences of reflexology helping to induce labour?

[PipIsOutNow]

Just that really!! Am 35 weeks, thinking of booking a few sessions in a few weeks as I've heard it can help induce labour! Might be complete tripe mind but surely anythings worth a shot!!!

I'm a Reflexologist and have used it on myself and on others. Worked both times for me with my 2 DSs but worth saying that while it can get things going, it won't make labour start if baby isn't ready. Definitely worth doing though, often very successful and at the very least is incredibly relaxing so whether it gets labour going or not you'll feel good

Oooh thanks potion I find it really interesting! I'm hoping that as I've had a few early labour scares and co reactions everyday that I'm just going to need a little helping hand to get going. I know it doesn't always work like that but I'm trying to be optimistic!

Agree with potion maker, am also pregnancy reflexologist and have seen some great results and if baby isn't ready it's a really good way to relax and put your feet up and have a bit of a pamper!

Hi

I had a difficult time with ds' birth and had been told that if I got to due date with dd would need a c- section.

I went to a reflexologist at 38 weeks and was supposed to go again at 39 but she was already born! I also had a very straightforward labour with her. I would highly recommend it! I felt like my body was 'ready' if that makes sense.

Yes! I had quite bad sciatica at the end of my pregnancy and my midwife suggested reflexology and said it can also get labour started. Well I went along and after 1.5 hours of lovely foot massage I came away pain free and also went into labour the following day!! I'd reccomend it to anyone, after all if nothing else it's always nice to be pampered!!

Oh I have a question about this. Sorry to hijack thread but when I was pregnant I queried this and I was told by a woman who does reflexology that she wasn't going to do it as it only works if you get them done from 20 weeks plus, is this true? I really wanted to try this but after this woman refusing I kinda got a bit pissy so refused.

It didn't work for me - DD was still induced on +12 and arrived at +15.

Didn't work fir me for either dc. Friend who does reflexology and reiki (apologies for terrible spelling) refused to until I was overdue snd told me I would go into labour, she did it three times fir both dc and I went 40+15 and 40+12 and induced for both. It was very relaxing but I was a bit squirmy worrying that I hadn't been able to get to my feet to keep them to their usual state if smoothness so she gave me a pedicure and painted my toenails -good friend and much appreciated

I dare say a foot rub will relax you and that might help things along. but reflex'ology' is only foot massage and should not take the place of anything a proper health practitioner has recommended.

best of luck!

I went at 39 +4. Reflexologist usually only does labour stimulating session once you are past due date, but I had high blood pressure and was worried I might be induced early so he agreed. Not a relaxing foot rub, but was effective. Started early labour 4 hours after reflexology session finished! In early labour for 40 hours, established labour 20 hours ending in EMCS so might have got me going a wee bit sooner than it should have been as DD wasn't that keen to come out!

Two of my mates swore it worked for them so I tried with DS. Really enjoyed the session & the reflexologist was v v confident I was ready and would start within 24 hours. I didn't and had to be induced .

That said, I would do it again if I weren't so skint as it felt like I was at least trying to do something rather than just waiting!

All of my many babies were horrendously overdue EXCEPT for the eviction reflexology baby, who arrived on his due date Will definitely be doing reflexology next time.

I had reflexology regularly from about 20 weeks, and in my last session at about 39-40 weeks my reflexologist did the labour stimulating session. I really felt afterwards that things were going to happen but DS ended up being born much later at 40+10. I suspect that if he'd been ready to come earlier the reflexology might have helped kicked it off as it felt effective, but who knows.

I had also heard btw that reflexology is supposed to be helpful to labour if you have a series of sessions rather than just a one off. DS was a ventouse delivery after a very long labour so that wasn't the case for me, but it is lovely and relaxing so I'd still do it again next time.

At 39 + 5, being thoroughly fed up with pregnancy, I went searching on the internet and found some reflexology in pregnancy videos which gave pretty clear instructions. I got my husband to do it on me for the next two evenings and at 40 weeks my baby was born. I must add that the day before he was born, I had done quite a lot of walking, so I couldn't say which was more useful, but I will certainly be doing it again this time around.

Good luck with your labour OP! xx

I went twice a week for 3 wks & it did nothing but was still nice to have a foot rub!