Category: Babies

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Babies Children Children's Reflexology courses families pregnancy TCRP

Reflexology and babies

The Children’s Reflexology programme for parents and carers helps you to learn simple reflexology techniques to soothe, settle and bond with your child, and use routines specially designed for you and your baby by experienced reflexologist and author Susan Quayle (who wrote the successful children’s reflexology book ‘The Mouse’s House’ which the workshops are based on).

This innovative award winning programme uses rhymes, story telling and beautiful illustrations to engage you and your child, making it easy to learn and remember the techniques presented.  The courses are run in informal hourly sessions, and include full colour course notes, and ongoing support through a closed messaging group. If you attend a 5 session course, you will have a complete toolbox of reflexology routines to use to support your little one through their early months and years.

Book HERE

You and your child are welcomed to small, adaptable and baby led classes, where you will learn life-long parenting skills to soothe, nurture and calm your baby.  Each week’s class combines positive bonding with the healing qualities of reflexology, taught to you by an experienced reflexologist (and Mum) with a host of personal experiences of childhood ailments, including prematurity, dairy intolerances, colic and reflux.

Upcoming course dates 2019 –

  • May 3, 10, 17, 24, June 7 – Kids Reflex Dorset 5 week course** Dorchester Yoga & Therapy Centre, Dorchester – FULL
  • June 14, 21, 28, July 5, 12 – Kids Reflex Dorset 5 week course** Dorchester Yoga & Therapy Centre, Dorchester – 5 PLACES
  • Sep 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18 – Kids Reflex Dorset 5 week course** Dorchester Yoga & Therapy Centre, Dorchester – 5 PLACES
  • Nov 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6 – Kids Reflex Dorset 5 week course** Dorchester Yoga & Therapy Centre, Dorchester – 5 PLACES

**Includes book and certificate of completion

Categories
Babies conception families fertility pregnancy Reflexology research

What is the follicular phase (and why do you need to know about it when trying for a baby?)

Do you know what a follicular phase is (and why it’s important)?

The follicular phase is the first half of your monthly cycle. It can last between 7 and 21 days. Teens can have a follicular phase of up to 32 days!

It starts when a few follicles (6 -8) get to the end of their 100 day development to begin ovulation.

The follicle development is governed by the pituitary hormone FSH – follicule-stimulating hormone, which stimulates the follicles to grow. You have less FSH when younger, hence the likelihood of a longer phase, and more as you mature – leading to shorter or irregular periods.

FSH levels also contribute to how heavy or light your bleed is – the hormone stimulates estradiol which influences the thickening of the uterine lining. The more estradiol = thicker lining = heavier periods.

The maturing follicles stimulate the production of estradiol – oestrogen – which can promote feelings of wellbeing, happiness, libido by boosting your ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters of serotonin and dopamine. Oestrogen is also important for healthy skin, bones, muscles, brain, heart, sleep AND metabolism!

In short, the follicular phase of your cycle is likely to be the part where you feel most connected to yourself, feel happier and better able to cope with anything life throws at you, and if you’re trying for a baby – it’s the time when you are more likely to feel like having sex.

If you have PCOS (poly-cycstic ovary syndrome), you are likely not to be ovulating because the availability of the hormones you need to ovulate are suppressed by an over production of androgens like testosterone. Your body may be producing follicles, but they won’t be able to ripen because the FSH needed to mature them and move to oestrogen production is blocked by higher levels of testosterone and other male hormones. This means that the follicular phase just keeps going, without an egg being produced, making it very hard to conceive.

Can you regulate the follicular phase? Yes. Charting your monthly cycles is key to finding out what’s happening inside. As follicles take over 100 days to mature, three months of charts will give you great data on what has happened to get you to now.

This information can then be used to focus on changes that positively influence your hormonal balance. Amending your nutrition, lifestyle changes, specific supplements and targeted reproductive reflexology have shown improvements in regulating the follicular phase.

In a study conducted by the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists, the pregnancy rate for women with PCOS was 72% (live birth rate 57%), showing the effectiveness of regular reproductive reflexology treatments.

Balancing your cycle helps your body to work in harmony, and you to feel better.

What’s your follicular phase like?

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Babies conception fertility men Reflexology

Varicoceles

Varicoceles – what are they?

A varicocele is an enlarged varicose vein, or a bunch of them which affect the testicles. Usually there are some more visible veins in the testes, sometimes you can only feel them. They are more common the older you get.

Varicoceles affect the temperature of the testicles – making them warmer – which is a bad thing for sperm production. They are a common cause of lower sperm production or decreased motility, so can affect male fertility.

Commonly, nothing will be done about varicoceles unless they are causing considerable pain.

Varicoles can be uncomfortable – current NICE guidance recommends supportive underwear for management.

However, if you’ve already got warmer testicles, keeping them tucked up in cosy pants isn’t going to help with the temperature.

What can you do to improve sperm health and quality?

*Check out my 5 fertility tips for men.

*Keep the scrotum cool – specialist cooling pants are available from snowballsunderwear (this is one brand that I know of, there may be more).

*Contact a fertility specialist (me 👋) to find out more steps you can take to reduce the impact of varicoceles. Targeted fertility reflexology can help ease the symptoms.

Have you got a varicocele? What have you been told about their management, or the effects on your fertility?

Categories
Babies Children children's reflexology programme families Reflexology relaxation TCRP

Kids Reflex

For parents and carers

Learn simple reflexology techniques, and use routines specially designed for you and your baby by experienced reflexologist and author Susan Quayle (who wrote the successful children’s reflexology book ‘The Mouse’s House’ which the workshop is based on).

NEW COURSE STARTING JUNE 2018 – CLICK FOR DETAILS

You and your child are welcomed to a small, adaptable and baby led class, where you will learn life-long parenting skills to soothe, nurture and calm your baby.  The course combines positive bonding with the healing qualities of reflexology, taught to you by a qualified reflexologist with a special interest in early years development and learning.

This innovative award winning programme uses rhymes, story telling and beautiful illustrations to engage you and your child, making it easy to learn and remember the techniques presented.  The workshop is run over six informal sessions, and includes full colour course notes and a copy of The Mouse’s House. You also receive a beautiful personalised certificate of attendance at the end.

Because classes are baby led, you may find you need to feed or let your baby sleep during the sessions – don’t worry – all the instructions are covered in your handouts, and we repeat many of the moves each week so you have plenty of time to learn the routines.  I am always available for questions after a session if you are unsure of anything we covered during a class.

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Categories
Babies Children conception families fertility pregnancy Reflexology relaxation

Reflexology and pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, or trying to conceive, reflexology can help you feel relaxed, improve your mood, relieve tension, have better quality sleep and enjoy a sense of wellbeing during pregnancy.

During conception and pregnancy, reflexology aims to optimise the physical and emotional health of pregnant women.

It works holistically – your reflexologist can provide general lifestyle advice and support you throughout your pregnancy.  Reflexology can be used safely throughout the pregnancy (a qualified reflexologist will always take a full history to ensure that it is safe and appropriate to carry out treatments).

Recent studies have shown that women who have had regular reflexology through pregnancy can have shorter labours, with less pain during labour, fewer postpartum haemorrhages, better quality sleep after delivery – and babies benefit too, with better Apgar scores. All these factors can contribute to better birth and post-birth experiences for mothers.

Although there is no evidence that reflexology can induce labour, the general view is that it will help to support the body in preparation for labour and promote relaxation when anxiety levels are often high.

Who is it for?

Pre-conception – both partners can receive treatments aimed at boosting fertility, preparation for pregnancy, relieving anxiety and more.

Mums – during pregnancy – treatments can help to ease common complaints such as indigestion, skeletal issues (eg. backache), anxiety, tiredness. It can also can help with more complicated issues like pubis symphysis, swelling in lower limbs and depression. Reflexology can be given for birth/labour preparation, and even during the early stages of labour. After birth reflexology may help you with bruising, lactation, tiredness and emotional overload including post partum depression.

Partners – to help with relaxation both before the birth.  You could also learn to give your birth partner some reflexology during the labour, as often you can feel like there isn’t much you can do to help. You can carry on giving these treatments to your partner after the birth, which may help with re-bonding as a couple, and give you some together time, which is very important.

Babies – can receive reflexology safely from birth. Gentle stimulation of reflexes through touch has many benefits – including aiding breathing straight after delivery, improving circulation, feeding and of course, bonding. Touch is the most available sense to babies, which is why skin to skin contact has so many benefits. Anyone can learn to give baby gentle treatments – so it is possible to involve the wider family circle if desired.

If you’re interested in having reflexology during pregnancy, then I would be delighted to work with you.  I will tailor a treatment plan package for your needs, focusing on what’s important to you.  You will have support throughout your pregnancy and beyond, with this powerful and gentle therapy.

All reflexology treatments include a consultation and health review, with personalised home care advice to reinforce the healing benefits between sessions.

Let’s start a conversation:

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