Reflexology to enhance your natural fertility

This is a specialised area of Reflexology (Reproflexology™) developed over the last 15 years, but which is becoming increasingly popular as more couples experience difficulties in conceiving. It can also be an invaluable tool in helping to gather information regarding your own natural fertility, your menstrual cycle, peak fertile times and alternative ways and means to enhance both couples’ fertility levels. As financial budgets get further squeezed and provisions for couples in the national health system are reduced many are turning to the option of a more natural and less invasive therapy to “assisted” methods. Cost is also a factor as can be success rates in medically assisted conception.

It can be useful for those who are experiencing difficulties with conceiving (a year of more, depending on age) or for those who wish to ensure the best possible start to their pregnancy (pre-conceptual care).

Reproflexology™ aims to assist couples/individuals who would like help with any of the following:

Natural conception
Assisted conception ~ IVF; ICSI; IUI
Menstrual cycle/hormonal imbalance leading to sub fertility
Endometriosis; fibroids; PCOS
Sperm quality and quantity
General health and well being – creating the optimum health for Mum's and Dad's to be

Across the world 1 in 7 women will experience problems conceiving and, surprisingly, this figure is the same in the UK as elsewhere in the world.” (fertlityexpert.co.uk).

Stress can be a major factor in our fertility levels. This is because the hormones that are released from the adrenal glands when we are under stress have a direct affect on the immune system by depleting our stores of vitamins and minerals, but also on our ability to be able to produce oestrogen and progesterone. Coupled with this is an increased level of prolactin, which again affects our ability to secrete estradiol (a form of oestrogen).

In the UK over 85% of healthy women will get pregnant within a year of trying for a baby and this number increases to 92% within two years. However if you are over 35 you are more likely to have fertility problems and it may take up to 3 years before you get pregnant. By the age of 38 only 77% of women get pregnant within 3 years. (fertilityexpert.co.uk)

Diet, nutrition, balanced blood sugar levels and lifestyle factors will all likewise impact on hormonal balance and hence fertility. Often, we can make some very basic changes to our lifestyles which can have a profound impact on our fertility – too little/too much exercise; under/overweight; alcohol; smoking; recreational drugs etc.

A very large part about Reflexology treatments though is the sense of emotional support and stress relief it gives – this in itself can have a massive impact on your general health and wellbeing, on our ability to be able to cope and hence our ability to be able to conceive.

This is a relatively new area of specialism in Reflexology and has been developed to look at all aspects of fertility, sub fertility, conception and pre conception care. It includes in its protocol:

Assessing and regulating the endocrine system (hormone balance)
Stress reduction techniques – physical, emotional and mental (including work and home balance)
Working with symptoms and causes of hormonal imbalance
Working to enhance the medicated cycle in assisted conception
Energy work, addressing any past trauma, blockage, imbalance including past miscarriage and termination
Visualisation, meditation, positive affirmations
Addresses lifestyle/exercise/diet and nutritional supplementation to support optimum health
Full support offered in a creative and caring environment
It is recommended that both partners come for the initial consultation. Please call to discuss. You should allow 90 minutes for the initial consultation, where a treatment plan can be discussed and scheduled. You will be asked to complete a consultation form each and include all past tests/assessments that you have already had.

Andrea has personally trained with Barbara Scott at Seren Natural Fertility in Nottingham. Barbara is acknowledged as one of the leading experts in treating couples during assisted cycles.

Reflexology in Pregnancy

"Nearly everyone can benefit from having reflexology during pregnancy." AOR

“Babyworld” moderator and complementary therapist Lynne Morgan says, "It is very successful in the treatment of a wide variety of pregnancy discomforts and conditions.”

These may include:

Heart burn, nausea, morning sickness
General fatigue and anxiety
Back pain, sciatica and PSD (pubis symphysis diastasis)
Fluid retention, swelling and discomfort

During labour itself, it can be used for relaxation and pain relief and research has shown that women who have regular reflexology treatments during pregnancy have far shorter labours than those who don't. It might also be recommended that both expectant parents have reflexology during pregnancy to help couples cope with the emotional changes of pregnancy and birth.

Please note: home visits are available after your due date, either to assist the onset of labour and early stages. Please call for information. It is recommended to have at least 2-4 sessions during the last trimester to assist with labour.

Post natal care: After the birthing experience which may have be exhausting yet joyful, you may wish to use reflexology to help with your new life and the demands of a new baby. Reflexology is wonderful in terms of its balancing, harmonising and restorative properties. Other needs maybe:

Adjusting to the demands of coping with a new baby - emotional support and care
Working with any trauma or birthing issues
Support as your menstrual cycle returns to normal
Maintaining or increasing milk supply
Postnatal depression and general relaxation

Reflexology can be of assistance through from preconception right the way through to birth and beyond. Don’t forget too, you will find working baby’s feet a pleasure and you will be able to help them through some basic baby problems – vomiting, constipation and diahorrea, colic or generally being unsettled. This can really help to form strong bonds between both parents and baby.