Because the most important developments in the womb take place in the first few months, the ideal when planning a pregnancy is to use Reflexology, nutrition and exercise to place the body in the optimum state for conception and early foetal development. The recommendation is to begin preparing about four months before attempting conception. This gives the body a chance to clear itself of toxins.

Since the potential father will also be playing a key role in the conception, he should be making an effort to contribute healthy sperm by ensuring that all his body systems are functioning optimally. Reflexology treatments, good nutrition and exercise can similarly be of benefit.

Once pregnant, the body undergoes a myriad of changes to cater for the growing foetus. Every system is affected, so it's important for your health as an expectant mother and for the health of the new life inside you that steps are taken to ensure everything is kept in balance. It is a time when you need to be nurtured and cherished. Sequences and techniques are adapted specifically for pregnancy. It can help with nausea, backache, constipation, symphisis pubis discomfort, high or low blood pressure, fatigue, headaches, and other pregnancy issues. By promoting good blood flow within your whole body, Maternity Reflexology helps ensure oxygen and other vital nutrients are reaching your baby.

Treatments also provide an opportunity to discuss issues that are concerning you, pregnancy being a time of heightened emotions and vulnerability. It's important that long-standing and perhaps unrealised emotional issues are cleared before the birth. Sessions also provide an opportunity for you to relax and communicate with your unborn child.

Treatments can begin early in the pregnancy, continuing at regular intervals, becoming more frequent as the anticipated birth approaches. Whilst these are ideals, it's very often the case that Reflexology is considered only during later months. Fortunately, beginning treatments at a late stage can still have significant benefits. If the pregnancy goes well beyond term there are techniques that can be used on the feet and hands to try and prime labour, with the permission of the obstetric care-giver.

There are increasing reports from new mothers who believe that regular Reflexology sessions and a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy helped them to have a good birth. Whatever type of birthing experience you have, Maternity Reflexology works to put you in the best possible state to cope and to make a good recovery. There are circumstances where, with the approval of the obstetric care-giver, we can provide treatment during labour to help with pain control and in the event that contractions slow down. At the very least, we can show you techniques that a birthing partner can use to help at this time.

In Europe, female subfertility can be medically explained in about a third of cases - age, hormonal disorders, adhesions, being overweight and pelvic infections are the commonly identified factors. In the remainder of cases the causes are unknown. Explanations for male subfertility usually relate to structural disorders, hormonal problems or infections, with instances of unexplained causes being less than in the case of women.

Reflexology helps to stimulate the body’s innate healing powers so the body can redress not only detected, but also any undetected imbalances. They can, therefore, play a very beneficial role with cases of male and female subfertility either alongside conventional medicine or in conjunction with other complementary therapies. By working to balance all body systems, the potential mother and father are more likely to produce viable eggs and sperm and ultimately a healthy foetus.

A special word about stress: stress can be a major factor in many instances of reduced fertility. Reflexology is renowned for promoting a deep state of relaxation, allowing the body to recover from persistent stressors that may be affecting the ability to conceive. Unresolved emotional issues may also feature. Being holistic, these therapies can provide a mechanism for release of emotions that may be affecting a couple's fertility.