Reflexology can be a complement to the health care provided by your Obstetrician, Primary Care, Midwife or other provider but it should never replace or substitute this care. Reflexologists do not diagnose nor do they treat for a specific condition. The body is observed as a whole and techniques are applied on the feet, hands and/or ears.

Reflexology cannot be applied to areas where the skin is open or bleeding, we may substitute another area (i.e. the hand on the same side if a foot has a cut), or have to reschedule your session until the wound is healed.

See our ad in the Spring and Fall 2007 issues of b.a.b.y. magazine from The Boston Parents Paper - available in hospitals, midwifery centers, and obstetrician offices in the greater Boston area.

Women's Health

Reflexology for the Childbearing Years

Preconception and Fertility

Planning a baby means mom and dad should be ready physically, mentally and spiritually. Reflexology has helped many couples prepare their bodies for conception. These sessions are to help you relax and your body to come closer to balance in each organ, gland and part.

Clients also come after they have been trying to conceive for some time. Sessions may focus on helping to balance the menstrual cycles, balance endocrine and reproductive systems, or provide relaxation for the client undergoing IUI or IVF treatments.

Pregnancy

The body goes through enormous changes during pregnancy affecting you hormonally, physiologically and emotionally. Reflexology helps to bring balance within the body providing you with relief or preventing discomfort from these imbalances. Clients have found Reflexology has helped with backaches, sleeping difficulty, swelling of the feet and ankles, swelling induced numbness in the hands and wrists, general relaxation, hemorrhoids, constipation, morning sickness and nausea, heartburn, and more. A study in Europe* showed that women that had received ten Reflexology sessions during their pregnancy had outstanding labor outcomes. First time mothers had an average labor of 5-6 hours (citing that the text book average is 16-24 hours), and the shortest labor times were two and three hours.

Labor

Reflexology has been used as a natural alternative to both labor induction or stimulation and pain relieving drugs. You may wish to receive Reflexology near your due date to help you relax and be prepared for labor. In some cases a session around 38-42 weeks will give your body a gentle nudge to get things started. Depending on Ms. Kreydin’s schedule and what hour of day your labor starts a home visit during the early stages of labor may be possible. Please contact Ms. Kreydin to discuss availability of this service and any additional outcall fees. Alternatively you may hire Ms. Kreydin as your birth doula and receive periodic Reflexology during your labor and in the immediate postpartum (one to two hours after birth).

Sources:
*"The Effects of Reflexology on Labour Outcome," Dr. Gowri Motha and Dr. Jane McGrath, Forest Gate, London, England

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