Natural Pregnancy Care

Natural Pregnancy Care in Brighton with Laurel Alexander

 

Articles of Interest

PREPARING TO CONCEIVE

Are you looking to become pregnant? I can help with preparing your mind and body for a healthy conception through balanced nutrition and reflexology.

  • Having had 2 miscarriages and a stressful time moving and setting up a business, Laurel was just what I needed. After 5 months of having sessions with Laurel, I became pregnant. She took me safely through the pregnancy from beginning to end and I gave birth to a beautiful boy Fin in August 2008. I can’t thank Laurel enough and highly recommend her. Lucy Davies, Consultant

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MATERNITY REFLEXOLOGY

I offer reflexology treatments throughout the whole pregnancy which can help ease uncomfortable symptoms as you go through each trimester. Reflexology also prepares the body for birth and can help with pain relief (please see client comments at the end of this page).

  • Reflexology is very successful in the treatment of a wide variety of pregnancy discomforts and conditions, including turning breech babies and induction of labour. During labour itself, it can be used for relaxation and pain relief. Postnatally, it is excellent for breastfeeding problems such as maintaining or increasing milk supply, postnatal depression and general relaxation. Research has shown that women who have regular reflexology treatments during pregnancy have far shorter labours than those who don't (on average one third as long). Babyworld

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NUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS

I offer nutritional advice throughout your pregnancy. Additional supplementation might be recommended based on “The Jeyarani Way” Gentle Birth Method Programme (Dr Gowri Motha).

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CREATIVE PREGNANCY COACHING

Creative Pregnancy Coaching involves using imagery, visualization, deep muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, journaling, meditation and cognitive reframing for a positive pregnancy and birthing experience. Creative Pregnancy Coaching improves your: confidence so that you can have the birth that you want, it helps to dilute fear of the birthing process and provides knowledge so that you understand the processes that you and baby are going through. While Creative Pregnancy Coaching is mainly for mums, sessions can also include birthing partners. You can have as many or as few sessions as you like.

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Laurel featured in Today’s Parent

ENCOURAGING A NATURAL BIRTH

Are you approaching, or past, full-term and seeking a natural birth? Reflexology may stimulate the commencement of birth if your baby is overdue and both you and baby are ready. It can help stimulate your body to produce the hormones needed for birth.

There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that reflexology can help to bring on labour providing both mother and baby are ready. It is always recommended that those clients who wish to use reflexology for this purpose, begin their reflexology sessions at least 6 weeks prior to their predicted term date i.e. by 34 weeks pregnant. It is recommended that you (the reflexologist) do not use labour inducing techniques unless the client has received at least 2 reflexology sessions in the 2 or 3 weeks prior to term and they are past their due date. Association of Reflexologists

 

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BENEFITS OF NATURAL PREGNANCY CARE

Benefits of natural pregnancy care include:

  • Easing anxiety
  • Regulating appetite
  • Easing backache
  • Easing constipation and hemorrhoid discomfort
  • Easing muscular tension
  • Easing nausea and vomiting
  • Improving urinary tract problems
  • Improving flexibility of pelvic floor
  • Normalizing blood pressure
  • Elimination of oedema and reduced swelling in feet and ankles
  • Prevention of heartburn
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Clearing headaches
  • Relieving varicose veins
  • Improved lymphatic drainage
  • Helping to aid digestion
  • Oxygenating the baby by improving the blood flow within the whole body, helping the uterus and the baby’s placenta
  • Initiating labour if you are overdue
  • Minimizing pain during labour and birthing

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POST NATAL CARE

Birthing can leave a woman feeling many different emotions. At this time, the balancing and restoring qualities of reflexology are excellent in helping restore your body's natural balance after 9 months of physical and emotional changes. Post-natal reflexology should be given for a minimum of six weeks to assist the body back to its original state. Although during a post-natal treatment I will work on rebalancing your body, specific ailments that can be eased include:

  • Breast engorgement
  • Mastitis
  • Constipation/regulating bowel movements
  • Regulating menstrual cycles
  • Oedema
  • Sciatic pain
  • Tension headaches/fatigue
  • Helping the uterus to contract down to it's original state
  • Increasing energy levels
  • Easing postnatal depression.
  • Reducing anxiety and stress
  • Reducing the chances of post natal depression
  • Boosting immune system
  • Promoting lactation
  • Reducing tension, aches and stiffness
  • Restoring the body to a non pregnant state

Post natal reflexology treatments are a wonderful way to recuperate from birthing. They are also a great time to relax with your baby (who of course continues to be welcome in my treatment room) and understand some simple reflexology techniques which will benefit their health, whilst giving you a wonderful opportunity to continue to bond with him or her.

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OTHER TREATMENTS

Other treatments I offer throughout your pregnancy include: Reiki, nutritional therapy, flower essences.

 

Some of my Mums, Dads and Babies

     
Baby India and mum Zoe
Baby India asleep with mum Zoe
Liberty's First Smile to her mum Rachel
     
Baby Liberty starts her sit ups
A delighted Zoe with newborn Ike
Dad Chris plus newborn Ike and sister India
     

Been meaning to e-mail you to let you know that I had a lovely son back in April last year. He came bang on time and though he wasn't quite born at home as I had planned, I did do all the labouring there and gave birth with the help of ventouse at West Middlesex Hospital. Patrick Claude Moore weighed 7lbs, was totally gorgeous and though I am biased he is always getting comments for being cute. You were right about him, he is determined but has a lovely nature. I am so happy. Just wanted to say thanks for the reflexology, I am sure it helped and I carried it on up in London. Sarah. Police officer.
Little Oscar born to Clare, October 2007
 
 
 
Lana Jay born to Nina December 2007
 

 

Laurel is interviewed about how to deal with high blood pressure during pregnancy

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

  • "I went to regular reflexology appointments with Laurel throughout my pregnancy, especially at the point when I was working full time and had little energy and many ailments. I would often arrive exhausted and with a feeling of malaise. The treatments were thorough and caring and just what I needed. Laurel would often pick up on all my complaints through just working my feet and she would pay more attention to those points. After the treatment, sometimes I would feel better straight away, at other times the effect seemed to kick in the next day. Whenever it happened, it was wonderful to feel a lifting of the malaise and relief from some of the symptoms. When the baby was overdue, I went a couple of extra times and this may have helped to bring on labour. I just wish she'd be there when I needed pain relief and comfort during 20 hours of labouring!" - Nina
  • Having regular reflexology with Laurel during the pregnancy was a great support. I found I didn’t suffer many of the “normal” problems associated with this time. I slept well, ate well without any indigestion and really enjoyed the pregnancy. Laurel and I talked through any emotional issues too, and she gave invaluable advice on diet, flower remedies and supplements. I would recommend reflexology with Laurel during pregnancy and now feel prepared to meet my baby very soon! - Clare
  • I came to you back in January 2004 as my baby was a week overdue and we tried reflexology. You were right, he was a boy and following your reflexology on the Wednesday then acupuncture on Thursday afternoon I went into labour Thursday night. Thanks for your help in getting Oscar into the world. It was an emergency caesarean in the end - he still didn't want to come out! - but a very healthy and happy boy. - Z.P.
  • I had no previous experience of reflexology, until I was in the later stages of pregnancy and had read that it could be good for preparing for labour. I went along to see Laurel, with no real expectation that reflexology would help me significantly, but thought it would be something nice to treat myself to! I was 30 weeks pregnant with my first baby when I first started the sessions and week-by-week Laurel helped me identify ways in which I could strengthen my body through nutrition, exercise and health supplements. For example, taking raspberry leaf tea to strengthen my uterus for the contractions, seeing an osteopath for sciatic nerve pain, adding linseeds in diet to assist with bowel movements and much, much more. Which meant that when I reached the last week of my pregnancy - despite the size of me by then - I was feeling in pretty good health, both mentally and physically and prepared for the birth. I was due on the 3rd November 2004, and I actually gave birth on the 31st October 2004, 3 days early and had a fantastic natural birth, with no pain relief, other than being in the birthing pool - and I gave birth in less than two hours! It was an amazing experience, and I certainly think the reflexology assisted with a very positive birth experience for both Liberty and myself! - Rachel G.
  • I would like to thank Laurel for giving me reflexology during my 2nd pregnancy. I started having it when I was 8 weeks pregnant and had it right up until my baby boy was born in November 2008. It helped ease my morning sickness, heartburn and raised my energy levels. I would recommend using this treatment to all expectant mums. Many thanks. Sarah
  • As I had seen Laurel for reflexology throughout my first pregnancy, I was keen to do the same again as it made such a difference to my well-being during pregnancy and contributed to a happy labour. I saw Laurel fortnightly for reflexology and Reiki sessions. Once again, I had a happy, healthy pregnancy despite some personal crises which made life very stressful (for which Laurel prescribed two courses of flower remedies - these had a profoundly positive effect.) This time I had the home birth I had longed for last time and it was an even more positive experience thanks to plenty of preparation following the Gentle Birth Method and Laurel's care and attention throughout my pregnancy. Although my labour was slightly more painful this time (due to Ike being so much bigger than India I think) I laboured without any pain relief other than reflexology, aromatherapy and visualisation/self-hypnosis. Thank you so much Laurel, for helping to make the pregnancy and birth of my son so memorable, relaxed and amazing. I would recommend Laurel's treatments to any pregnant woman - especially if you're planning a natural home birth like I was. - Dr Zoe Greenhough

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Natural pregnancy care in Brighton Laurel Alexander
Laurel's Treatment Room

BRIGHTON NATURAL PREGNANCY CARE APPOINTMENTS AND FEES

My clinic is based in Brighton, Sussex. My fees are £35 per hour (supplements, herbs and tests are extra). If you wish, you can pay in advance using a debit / credit card (here). Evening and Saturday appointments are usually available as well as daytime appointments. If you cancel an appointment without giving twenty-four hours notice, the full fee will be payable.

BOOKING YOUR TREATMENT IN BRIGHTON

If you would like to book a natural pregnancy care treatment, please telephone me on 01273 564030 or email me a tinfo@laurelalexander.co.uk

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Mum and Bump Pamper Treatment

Mum and Bump Pamper Treatment

Imagine. Nothing to do. A warm, safe environment for you and baby with a caring therapist to give you plenty of TLC. Let’s start with a refreshing pedicure followed by a healing reflexology session. Then we break for a cuppa and biscuits. All rounded off with a comforting Reiki session. 3 hours for £69. Why not book now... click HERE.

 

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buy Laurel's Gift Vouchers HERE

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Pay Online now with PayPal

This site uses Paypal
   
Natural Pregnancy care treatment/coacing
£ 35
Buy 5 get 1 FREE - Pregnancy Care Treatment / Coaching
£ 175
Mum and Bump Pamper Treatment
£ 69

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IMPORTANT NOTE:

This content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your GP, consultant or other qualified healthcare provider with your questions regarding a medical condition

 

 

 

Pregnancy Care Links

Pregnancy and New Baby Gifts
Shop for pregnancy and baby gifts at ecobaby. Large selection of gifts that are all organic and/or natural.

Complete Guide to Women's Health and Pregnancy
It's all about taking care of your body. Vital information on menstruation, getting pregnant, pregnancy, fertility, depression, menopause, stds and more.

Foresight is the Association for the Promotion of Preconceptual Care, a charitable organisation whose primary role is to promote the importance of good health in both parents before conceiving a baby how to do this. www.foresightpreconception.org

Sunrise Birthing Independent Midwifery Care - Continuity of care for pregnancy, birth and early parenthood for women in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. Offering individualized, woman-centred care. Anja K-Metzner (RM) 01825 714538 www.sunrisebirthing.com

Pregnancy Care in Wolverhampton with Lynne Hancher

 

 

 

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