FERTILITY & PREGNANCY REFLEXOLOGY

R E L A X / R E B A L A N C E / R E N E W

THE REFLEXOLOGY STUDIO practitioner SARA LOVE BA (Hons), PGDip, MAR holds a Diploma in Pre-conception & Pregnancy Reflexology and specialises in supporting couples on the journey from CONCEPTION TO CHILDBIRTH.

PREGNANCY REFLEXOLOGY

HOW CAN REFLEXOLOGY SUPPORT PREGNANCY? Reflexology is a wonderfully relaxing & supportive therapy for women in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. A reflexology session provides valuable space for rest and relaxation, whilst calming the nervous system and providing gentle relief from pregnancy-related complaints such as fatigue & mood swings, back & pelvic pain, digestive discomfort, migraines & insomnia and ankle swelling.

HOW CAN REFLEXOLOGY SUPPORT CHILDBIRTH? Many women find that receiving regular reflexology treatments can help to reduce time in labour & need for medical intervention, and midwives now frequently recommend reflexology as part of the pre and post-natal care package. Research into benefits of reflexology in late pregnancy is extremely positive: NHS researchers found “more women went into labour sooner and needing less pain relief than those without reflexology”, whilst research in Copenhagen found 58/60 women giving birth experienced “outstanding pain relief using reflexology”.

fertility reflexology

HOW CAN REFLEXOLOGY SUPPORT FERTILITY? One of the most powerful effects of reflexology is its ability to help facilitate a state of deep calm and relaxation. By working to calm the nervous system, restore adrenal balance and support endocrine function, reflexology can help alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and make us feel more at ease in ourselves. The calmer and more balanced we feel in ourselves, the better equipped our body is to nurture the conditions needed for conception to occur.

HOW MIGHT STRESS EFFECT FERTILITY? Trying for a baby can be an anxious and stress-inducing process for many couples. When we feel stressed, the levels of adrenaline and cortisol circulating in our body increases. There is evidence to suggest that high levels of these stress hormones can be linked with sub-fertility. By facilitating a state of deep relaxation, reflexology can help keep your cortisol levels in check and help the body restore the equilibrium needed to optimise chances of conception.

CAN I HAVE REFLEXOLOGY ALONGSIDE IVF or IUI? More and more couples are turning to reflexology to support them through the conception journey; with increasing numbers of gynaecologists recommending relaxation-based complementary therapies like reflexology before or alongside conventional fertility treatment. It is perfectly safe to receive a course of reflexology alongside your treatment; many women find that the relaxing benefits of reflexology help them feel calmer and more positive about the process of trying to conceive.

HOW CAN REFLEXOLOGY HELP WITH PMS & FERTILITY-RELATED CONDITIONS? Reflexology is a wonderfully supportive therapy if you are struggling with PMS or fertility-related conditions such as PCOS or endometriosis. In working to support the healthy functioning of the endocrine system, reflexology can be used to help regulate menstrual cycles, encourage ovulation, stabilise sleep, balance mood, and ease the tensions associated with menstruation. 

OXFORD UNIVERSITY (2005) Research looked into how couples trying to conceive would benefit from using relaxation-based complementary therapies. The saliva of 274 women was tested throughout their cycles, measuring their levels of stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. It was found that the 25% of women with the highest levels of adrenaline in their saliva had a 12% reduction in chances of conceiving.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (2005) research concluded that women who were feeling stressed produced 20% less eggs during their cycle compared with women who were not experiencing symptoms of stress.