Maternity Services

Quest Holistic Therapies offers Pregnancy Massage and Maternity Reflexology

A pregnancy massage is a specially adapted gentle and soothing massage tailored specifically for the mother-to-be. As a term, ‘pregnancy massage’ applies to any hands-on massage treatment for a woman during her pregnancy. It can therefore vary enormously in terms of what it consists of. However, for many women, pregnancy massage benefits include easing aches and pains, as well as facilitating relaxation and preparation for labour.

Pregnancy massage benefits are wide-ranging. That said; testing and research on pregnant women is generally avoided on ethical grounds. You’ll find that most of the evidence for pregnancy massage is anecdotal. However, this doesn’t make it less compelling.

• Mind and body relaxation

If you’re a fan of massage before pregnancy, we are sure you’ll fall in love with receiving pregnancy massages for the same deep relaxation that you will receive.

• Pregnancy aches and pains

With increased weight, and your changing posture, pregnancy can trigger new aches and pains which range from nasty niggles to real discomfort. In pregnancy, you’re limited in terms of what pain medication you can take, and also how you can alleviate the pain. Pregnancy massage is one way to gently move the sore areas, and increase your range of movement carefully, helping to soothe the pain away.

• Reduction in anxiety

Whilst pregnancy is a wonderful time for many women, it can provoke anxiety in others. It’s a new chapter and your body is undergoing a huge change. Massage can be a way to connect with your body, learn to feel safe with the changes, and thus reduce the anxiety. Additionally, having the benefit of a skilled pregnancy massage therapist can help you understand that the changes to your body are normal and to be expected.

• Improved sleep

Sleep may be allusive in pregnancy. Right when you need a good night’s sleep for preparation for labour and a newborn, you may be tossing and turning all night. Massage can bring numerous sleep benefits.

• Bonding with baby

Many pregnant women find that their pregnancy can feel like a rollercoaster. Juggling work, and perhaps other family commitments, can end up feeling like the pregnancy is simply happening and it’s difficult to connect it to the real baby you’re soon to meet. Pregnancy massage is a time to slow down and focus on yourself and that growing bundle of joy inside, helping you to bond before the birth.

• First stage of labour

If you’re having a prolonged first stage, particularly likely with first babies, a pregnancy massage can help you to feel calmer, in control, and better able to cope with contractions.  

• Sciatic and pelvic pain

The hormones of pregnancy, combined with the increasing weight of the baby in the pelvic space, can in some women, cause sciatic pain, or pelvic pain. This can be particularly distressing and difficult to manage. We work carefully to ease the pains around your pelvic joints and into your buttocks and legs.

• Non-pregnancy problems

If you suffer with other conditions during pregnancy, you may be very limited in terms of what you can do to alleviate symptoms e.g. hay fever, headaches or sinus pain. Massage can bring relief when nothing else can.

• Reduce ankle and feet swelling

It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to suffer with sore and swollen feet. The extra pressure from your uterus, plus increased blood, causes the swelling. Gentle upward massage strokes can alleviate this swelling.

Maternity Reflexology is aimed specifically at women during pre-conception, pregnancy, labour and the post-natal period. During your pregnancy, your body will go through significant changes; these changes will affect the emotional, hormonal and physiological balance of your body. Reflexology can help to alleviate or prevent discomfort arising from these imbalances and restore the body’s equilibrium.

Most expectant mums experience fear, stress and a lack of self esteem as the birth of their baby approaches. These are all factors that can affect the body’s normal secretion of oxytocin [the hormone that stimulates the uterus to contract during labour]. By working on certain reflexes of the feet with reflexology, it can help assist the release of oxytocin, which in turn, can help to naturally induce labour.

PRE-CONCEPTUAL CARE

In an ideal world, the best time to begin to prepare your body for pregnancy is about four months before conception. The most important developments in the womb take place in the early weeks of pregnancy so it is a good idea when planning a pregnancy to ensure your body is in optimum condition to carry a baby. Before conception, there are certain techniques that can be used to balance the hormonal system, relax you, and give an energy boost to the parts of the body that need it.

Reflexology is one of the most relaxing complementary therapies you can choose to have during pregnancy. It is both safe and effective, improves your general well being, is extremely relaxing and helps your body adjust to the major hormonal changes that it is undergoing.

Pregnancy is a wonderful thing and many women adjust perfectly to the hormonal changes that are taking place. However, there are others who find the physical and emotional side effects of these hormonal changes hard to cope with.

Reflexology has demonstrated to be beneficial in helping:

• Anaemia
• Anxiety and stress relief
• Appetite regulation
• Backache
• Blood pressure regulation
• Constipation
• To prevent Diabetes caused by pregnancy {Gestational Diabetes}
• Haemorrhoids
• Insomnia and sleep disorders
• Muscular Fatigue
• Muscular tension
• Nausea and vomiting
• Oedema {swelling, mainly of feet and ankles}
• Urinary tract problems {cystitis etc}
• Digestive problems
• Symphisis Pubis dysfunction
• Increase energy levels
• Sciatica
• Reduce heartburn
• Turning a breech baby
• Preparation for labour

Research has shown that women who have regular reflexology treatments during pregnancy are more likely to have a shorter labour and require less pain relief with less intervention. Reflexology can even be used during the labour to help stimulate and control contractions. It is also an excellent aid in order to induce labour.

Once the baby is born, the hormones take a nose-dive and this sudden drop can have a major effect on the new mothers emotions, as well as all the other pressures on the new mother.. feeding, caring for the newborn, lack of sleep etc. 

Reflexology can help calm and ease an anxious mother and balance her hormones and energy levels. It has been shown in various studies that regular treatments following the birth can reduce the effects of post natal depression and assist with:

• Inadequate lactation
• Enlarged breasts
• Urine retention
• Constipation
• Backache
• Increase in energy levels

Sub fertility affects many couples and can be extremely upsetting. Some couples are told there is no medical reason why they are unable to conceive. Reflexology is by no means a cure and there are, of course, no guarantees but I personally have had excellent results in helping those with such problems to conceive.

Although there is no one answer as to why some people seem unable to conceive, certain factors have been shown to be detrimental to chances of conception including stress, lifestyle, previous experiences and health issues. 

Reflexology helps by balancing the whole endocrine system and reducing stress levels allowing a deep relaxation that can ease the tension and help the body as a whole.

Generally it is advised to avoid pregnancy massage and maternity reflexology in your first trimester. It’s also sensible to avoid pregnancy massage and maternity reflexology if you’re suffering particularly badly with vomiting or nausea. You should also avoid pregnancy massage and maternity reflexology if you are considered at high-risk of placental abruption or premature labour.

If you’re in doubt about whether pregnancy massage or maternity reflexology is safe for you, speak to your midwife or GP.

Quest Holistic Therapies Maternity Massage and Maternity Reflexology cost £45

To book your Maternity Massage and Maternity Reflexology, you can:

• Call Us:  07717 214390
• Email Us: Send us an email at qa.1@hotmail.co.uk and we’ll get back to you promptly.
• Online Booking: Visit our website and use our convenient online form on the home page.

We look forward to welcoming you to Quest Holistic Therapies and helping you achieve your best physical health and performance. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule your appointment.