An Update on Foot Massage - I was WRONG!
These are the kinds of comments you love to wake up to. I have already forwarded it on to hubby. I wanted to repost it here just in case ladies (with sore feet cursing my name since I said be careful)missed it in the comments section of this post.
As a board certified reflexologist and a DONA trained birth doula I can tell you having a foot rub from your husband isn’t going to bring on labor. He would have to work deeply to the point of causing him discomfort and would need to hold points for greater than a minute each. A good old-fashioned foot rub is just the thing I encourage my expecting clients to receive from their loved ones.
To clarify which points you may not want to put much pressure on (since acupressure and reflexology are two completely different systems), the reflex point for the uterus is located on the inside of the foot near the “ankle” bone. So, if you were standing up it would be about half way between your heel on the floor and the bone a few inches up from it. Pressure here should be gentle and nurturing.
For more information on reflexology during pregnancy read this article with studies by a UK OB/GYN: http://reflexology.suite101.com/article.cfm/reflexology_and_your_pregnanc
So, I was happily, happily proven wrong. Thank you!!
Tags: , acupressure, Amy Kreydin, contraindicated during pregnancy, pregnancy, reflexology, trying to get pregnantRelated Stories
POSTED IN: FYI, embryos, environment, pregnancy
2 opinions for An Update on Foot Massage - I was WRONG!
JM
Jul 27, 2008 at 10:30 am
There are points on both sides of the ankles near the bottom of the “bumps.” You should avoid hard pressure there (not that it would feel good anyway. :o) Another point on the body you should avoid until close to labor time is the LI-4 Hoku point between the thumb and forefinger–I mention this one because this is often given as a remedy for headaches. It is also suggested that no sustained downward pressure that is less than a full hand on the top of the shoulders should be used (to avoid stimulating GB-21, which is at the highest part of the shoulder near the neck). A less well known spot you shouldn’t stimulate, SP-6, which is about three thumb-lengths from the top of your inside ankle along the bone. Of course, all of these points are great nearer to term (no sooner than 38 weeks), since the reason why you’re not supposed to use them during pregnancy is they can help induce labor. There are points that help as well, to reduce nausea, to help the baby turn, to reduce indigestion and edema, etc. Ask your local shiatsu/acupressure practitioner, acupuncturist, or well-trained pregnancy massage specialist for more information.
Michelle
Jul 29, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Oooh- I’m keeping my fingers crossed for your FET to be successful. I am also wondering what the heck I am going to do on bedrest for all that time…I am half looking forward to and half dreading it…I like being lazy, and yet it’s hard for me to sit still for TOO long. Best of luck to you!!
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