Is it safe to have reflexology in the first trimester of pregnancy?
August 15, 2010My personal opinion is that it is perfectly safe to have reflexology treatments during pregnancy, even in the first 12 weeks. I believe that a viable foetus is extremely difficult to dislodge. There is no evidence to suggest that reflexology may damage a foetus in the first trimester or indeed at any stage of pregnancy.
When I first qualified as a reflexologist I didn’t feel sufficiently experienced to treat pregnant women and was concerned that I may get blamed or even sued in the event of a miscarriage. Some reflexologists believe that women should not receive reflexology during the first trimester and I wasn’t sure what to believe.
Rather than avoid pregnant women I learnt as much as possible about maternity reflexology. I completed a Maternity Reflexology Course with Susanne Enzer, a reflexologist and midwife of many years. It was important for me to be trained by someone with both medical experience and reflexology knowledge. I received a Statement of Attendance for attending the course and chose to complete additional assessments, assignments and case studies to gain a Certificate of Competency in Maternity Reflexology.
The course was extremely detailed and covered:
- the bones and organs of the female pelvis
- the endocrine system
- preconceptual care
- subfertility
- cautions / precautions and contraindications
- the physiology of pregnancy
I learnt:
- location of reflex zones of the pelvis and pelvic organs on the feet
- how to adapt reflexology for pregnancy
- reflex zones and acupressure points to avoid during pregnancy
- the reflexology endocrine balance technique
- the reflexology lymphatic technique
- a reflexology routine to prime / induce labour
- special reflexology techniques to use in childbirth
Hi Elizabeth
Found your blog today – just a note to wish you every success.
Linda