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5 gentle ways reflexology supports you through pregnancy (that midwife TikTok won't mention)

Pregnancy is often described as a magical time — but let’s be honest: it can also be uncomfortable, exhausting, and emotionally wobbly. You're growing a whole human while trying to sleep, eat, work, and function like a normal adult (with feet the size of footballs and hormones that swing like a pendulum).


Whether you're dealing with pelvic girdle pain, sleepless nights, swollen ankles, or full-on emotional meltdowns, reflexology can offer a deeply calming space to reconnect with your body and get the rest you need.



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So, what is maternity reflexology?


It’s a gentle, non-invasive touch therapy treatment that works by stimulating specific reflex points on the feet that correspond to organs and systems in the body. When done regularly during pregnancy, reflexology can:

  • Aid deep relaxation

  • Improve sleep quality

  • Support mood and emotional balance

  • Help release tension and stress

  • Promote a general sense of wellbeing


And that’s not just marketing talk — it’s backed by research (and many happy bumps and mamas).


The research backs it up


Studies have shown that reflexology can:

  • Reduce pain during labour and shorten the first stage (Valiani et al., 2010)

  • Improve post-natal sleep quality (Li et al., 2011)

  • Support women with low back or pelvic girdle pain (Iran Red Crescent Med J, 2011)

  • Lower anxiety levels during labour (Yilar Erke et al., 2018)


Want to dig deeper? I’ve listed the research at the bottom of this post if you love the science.


Anecdotally? The benefits are even broader


Many maternity clients tell me they’ve experienced improvements with:

  • Pelvic girdle pain

  • Constipation and nausea

  • Heartburn

  • Swollen feet and hands

  • Better sleep and calmer moods


One lovely client recently told me:

"I really do feel it completely changed how I was feeling emotionally in the lead up to my birth and reduced my anxieties and tearfulness dramatically: I am still so blown away."

That’s the power of giving your nervous system a chance to reset.


What to expect during a session


Your comfort is key. Every maternity reflexology session is tailored to your trimester, symptoms, and energy levels. You’ll be supported with pillows, blankets, and calming music, and leave feeling like someone pressed the reset button on your nervous system.


Some women come weekly, some monthly — the rhythm is yours.


You’re growing a baby — but you’re also still you. And you deserve space to rest, relax, and feel looked after.


If you're curious about how reflexology could support your pregnancy journey, you're warmly invited to book a maternity reflexology session with me or drop me a message and let's chat.


 Research References:

 
 
 

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