Power Points on Your Hands & Feet: Reflexology Eases All Aspects of Pregnancy | Marjorie Dickinson, LMT
During pregnancy, labor, and beyond, a mother's feet and hands hold powerful keys to her wellness and comfort.  Hand and Foot Reflexology is an ancient somatic therapy in which specific points on the hands and/or feet are stimulated to affect corresponding organs and glands in the body. Through Reflexology, like acupuncture and acupressure, the body's power to heal itself is stimulated and balance is re-established. 

Thanks to Reflexology, hormonal and structural shifts occurring in the body are more easily processed and assimilated. Deep relaxation arises, as stress is relieved, and the body is able to shift into a parasympathetic state (the ONLY state in which healing can occur). This peace is felt by not only mom but also baby. Fetal movements (jumps for joy and squirms of delight) can be felt as the little one is bathed in feel-good hormones like seratonin and dopamine, released by mom's brain during and after sessions.  Mama can rest assured that she will step into her new role happier and calmer, with decreased chances of postpartum depression. 

Maternity Reflexology relates to all aspects of a woman's child-bearing experience: a uterus primed for conception, a more balanced pregnancy (including decreased headaches, constipation, heartburn, swelling, high blood pressure, and nausea), a proven shorter labor, and even an easier time breastfeeding (lower rates of mastitis and sooner post-birth lactation occur in moms receiving Reflexology).  

Induction reflexology sessions are available to facilitate baby's arrival into the world. If the pregnancy has been carried to term, and baby is fully "cooked", a Reflexology session can be designed to help switch on the surges that will draw your newest addition forward. This drug-free modality of bodywork is so effective that during induction sessions, only when the baby has been ready (as baby has the ultimate say), I have witnessed water breaking on the treatment table. 

With all the swirling emotions and major life decisions that surround carrying and birthing a child, keep yourself centered and at optimal health with Reflexology. Remember, only get your treatment from a certified Hand and Foot Reflexologist.

For more information or to schedule your appointment in Jacksonville or Jacksonville Beach, FL with certified Hand and Foot Reflexologist, Marjorie Dickinson, please call (904) 945-4540 or mdickinsonlmt@gmail.com. Appointments can be booked online at www.marjorielmt.blogspot.com

For further reading about the benefits of receiving Reflexology before, during and after pregnancy, check out this great article: http://www.reflexology-research.com/expectant.htm 

and for more on Reflexology, please check out: http://marjorielmt.blogspot.com/2010/02/your-feet-are-talking.html

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 Your Best Birth: Planning and Checklist

If you’re married, take a moment to think about your wedding (or the process of choosing a college or the last car you bought) think about all the preparation, planning and research you did for those events. It takes most brides a year to plan that perfect day right? Now think about what people say about the birth of their first child, “this is the best day of my life besides my wedding day” and many would probably say it trumps their wedding day. So why wouldn’t we put as much effort into the planning of the birth? One reason might be that it there is so much information and EVERYONE has an opinion on this topic that the “overwhelmed wall” (when you’re so overwhelmed that you get frozen and can’t proceed) is placed. Another reason might be that we don’t necessarily connect choosing a provider with “choice”. Most families find someone in their network and in their neighborhood. We generally assume that all physicians are created equal and stick with that person not matter what. A recent study revealed that 70% of Americans do not seek a second opinion…what does that tell you?

Jacksonville is becoming more open minded as women begin to voice their requests and work with their providers as a team (just take a look at the volume of the home birth midwives in Jacksonville and you will see a different trend!). Your care provider (OBGYN or Midwife) and location of birth are very important elements in determining how the birth will go. If you are hoping for an unmedicated, minimally invasive birth, there are care providers and hospitals that may not be a good fit for your family. But how do you know this as an expecting mother? Top two: 1. Ask questions! 2. Research. We hope to provide the tools you need within this blog and the Doulananda website to empower your family to make the best decisions!

How does one go about making these birth decisions and researching what is available in their city? Below is a checklist of sorts to help guide families in the many decisions regarding their births. Take what you like from it…all of the information may not pertain to you, your family or your “birth plan” (we’ll get to that too).

I’m Pregnant, Now What? Checklist for Expectant Moms in Jacksonville and beyond

·         What is my ideal birth? If you don’t know the answer to this question yet, take some time to think about this. Have you thought about a natural / unmedicated birth? Do you want to be in a hospital? Do you know about home births? Would you feel better in a birth center? Do you know you want an epidural or maybe you have special circumstances that require a c-section? What information do you need regarding birth location? You have choices with all of the previous scenarios (yes, even for a c-section) Take a look at online birth plans and read some birth stories. A great place to start is Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth and our generic birth plan template. Print this out and highlight items that you aren’t familiar with and start the research. If you are considered “high-risk” ask why and what the risks are and if there are alternatives…a second opinion is always an option.

·         What elements of the birth are important to me? (the above might help you with this). You might decide that movement during labor, immediate skin to skin with baby or delayed cord clamping are “deal breakers”…these decisions will help guide you to the best provider and birth location. Interview and research care providers in your area. Here is a link to 10 questions to ask your provider and What Every Mom Should Know.

·         Choosing a childbirth education method. Sometimes taking a childbirth education class early on can lead you to making better decisions regarding your birth and help answer a lot of questions. This is an important part of your education and research regarding your birth. You wouldn’t go in to sit for a test without studying right? Education regarding the birth process helps moms trust her body and nature’s way of birthing. And in HypnoBirthing© we believe that when healthy moms carrying healthy babies are educated, supported, trust their bodies, are free of fear, birth can occur without peril. When do you start taking a childbirth education class? In HypnoBirthing, we encourage parents to take class early (anytime during pregnancy 8-12 weeks on) but for other methods you might wait till 30 weeks or more. There are many childbirth education classes in Jacksonville to choose from: HypnoBirthing©, Bradley Classes, Lamaze, Hypnobabies all are based on the Fear-Tension-Pain concept and all prepare parents for normal birth. Of course, as a certified HypnoBirthing© instructor I highly recommend that method but families must make the best decisions for them! Make sure to save time for a Breastfeeding class! Did you know that some insurance companies reimburse for childirth education classes and doula services? Click here to read more.

·         What are the birth statistics at the local hospitals? Consider the cesarean rate at the local hospitals in conjunction with choosing your provider since you OBGYN/Midwife will have privileges at most likely 1 to 2 hospitals. I am quoting a colleague in saying; “You don’t go to an Italian Restaurant and order sushi.” In other words you wouldn’t go into a high intervention hospital with a corresponding provider and ask for a “natural birth.” It just may not be on the menu and they would have a difficult time preparing that since they are used to serving a different dish all day. It’s not that they are necessarily opposed to making your sushi, they just don’t know what it looks like or how to prepare it. **I will be presenting the cesarean rates of hospitals for Jacksonville and St. Augustine in the next post**

·         What is my OBGYN GROUP’s stance on labor and birth? I am highlighting “GROUP” since in most situations there are several physician’s in a practice and what one care provider’s plan for care  is could most likely be different from the others within the group. This might mean that you go over your birth preferences with one and he/she is on board with your choices, but on the day of your birth he/she may not be on call. It is important when asking the 10 Questions for your Care Provider that you ask what is the stance of the entire group.

·         Choose your birth location. Hospital, home or birth center? Once you decide this, it is a good idea to take the hospital tour and bring with you the birth preferences (see below). You have natural options in Jacksonville: Fruitful Vine Midwifery (home and birth center births) is one and a few other home birth midwives that even support home birth VBAC’s (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean). See the Childbirth Connection's evidence based research on choosing a birth location

·         Choose your birth team. Will you be using an OBGYN or Midwife? Will you be hiring a doula? There are many amazing doulas in Jacksonville…see our page “what is a doula” and “our doulas” for more information (tip: if cost is a factor for hiring a doula – ask for donations as a part of your registry! and some insurance companies reimburse for professional labor support). Who else will be a part of the birth team? Do you feel your birth team will be able to work together? Remember that *you* should be an active participant in your care. Your body is your vessel to steer and you are best able to do that with information! Risks to benefits…evidence based information. You can find evidence based information at the Childbirth Connection website.

·         Create your birth “preferences.” We try to stay away from the word “plan” since we want to remain flexible. You don’t know what you don’t know and in some birth situations, you might change your mind. You just won’t know that until that scenario presents itself. I feel like the main goal of any birth plan should be simply allowing the birthing body to do what it inherently knows how to do *first* then if assistance is needed, by all means, bring in the medical Calvary! Interventions save births! Save lives! But we also know from our ranking of 44 in infant mortality and 50 in maternal mortality (of developed countries) that more technology isn’t always the answer in the case of a normal birth. Accepting that birth can be a windy road versus a linear path and that all births don’t fit into Ferguson’s box is difficult for some practices. In so many scenarios if you go off that road you end up on the intervention highway.

·         Will you be breastfeeding? Do you plan to take a breastfeeding class? It’s better to read and learn ‘before’ you are faced with the reality. Have you researched lactation consultants in Jacksonville? (see below for more on resources).

·         Choose your post-partum team and plan. Who will be helping or supporting you after the birth?  What is your plan for meals? Check out: Take Them a Meal for ideas for your family support system. Do you need a post-partum doula?

·         Prepare your body, your mind and your emotions. This preparation should be going on all throughout your pregnancy and may be an organic process. Whereas for some, a little extra effort might be required. You will receive a lot of tips for preparing the body in your childbirth education and your prenatal yoga classes but preparing the mind and emotions? Maybe…In HypnoBirthing we do a fear and anxiety inventory and then go through a hypnosis script that allows families to release those fears, anxieties and concerns regarding birthing. This can be huge for the family since fear plays a leading role in how your birth will progress. If your childbirth education class does not offer this element, call around and see what your options are…consult with a local hypnotherapist in Jacksonville (or your city) to see if they will do a fear release exercise with you.

·         Check your resources. Do you have a place to easily locate resources you might need after the birth? Your doula, midwife and OBGYN should be able to provide you with references for breastfeeding support, post-partum depression, pediatricians, etc. See our local resources for birth professionals in Jacksonville, FL.

·         Relax and enjoy! Count yourself as one of the few expecting parents in Jacksonville who went the extra mile in preparing for birth! :)