by Niamh Hooper- Health Writer

Touching down with a little me-time for mothers-to-be

There are many things I'll do for my job but having a baby just to try out prenatal massage isn't one of them. Instead, this week's column will be prom the perspective of mother-to-be Lorraine Foley from Dublin's Clontarf. Already mother to three year old Matias, Lorraine is pregnant again with baby number two. But in this pregnancy she has chosen for the first time to have prenatal massage after re-searching the benefits on the internet. And the 32 year-old says that she is feeling much lighter in herself both mentally and physically this time around and she credits these feelings to the effects of the massage.

Therapist Ethna McQuillan describes prenatal massage as "mothering the mother" and maybe that explains why Lorraine is feeling so much more comfortable during this pregnancy. During the treatment, Lorraine lies on her side, wrapped in a crisp white cotton sheet supported by pillows.

"Essentially the purpose of massage is to help the exchange of blood and lymphatic circulation but with prenatal massage there is a lot more going on", explains Ethna. "The body's center of gravity is changing". "Because of the weight of the uterus, the abdomen spills forward, the lumbar curve is exaggerated, and the breasts are also bigger, which creates back problems, and then in the final stages of pregnancy, the feet start to turn out to make room for the uterus". "As everything starts to lean forward, the woman leans back to counteract this and this causes its own strains".

Now in her seventh month of pregnancy, |Lorraine is getting prenatal massage every two weeks. "I find with the massage I feel more uplifted - not just physically but mentally as well" says the recruitment consultant. "In work I don't walk, I run and this is the only way I calm down and relax. I am prone to swelling in my legs and feet, and get some lower back pain and sometimes I feel like a baby elephant but after a massage I feel more relaxed and lighter in my self."

Aimed at making the pregnant woman feel as comfortable as possible during pregnancy, most women who come to Ethna for a treatment do so to relieve muscle pain and to keep their bodies flexible. Depending on how far advanced the pregnancy is determines the type of massage that the mother-to-be receives. Up to 20 week stage, the woman can lie on her back during the massage. After that she will be on her side as Ethna uses specific techniques tailored to ease certain conditions. For example, to release chronic tension, she will use "deep-tissue sculpting" to reach deeper layers of muscles with her fingertips, knuckles, forearms, elbows or the heel of her hand as well as doing "tripper-point massage" in localized areas such as hips to release re-ferred pain in other parts.

Verdict: "having gone through one pregnancy without having prenatal massage and one with it, I feel now that it is a need, not just a pampering - although it does feel nice too" Lorraine says. " I sleep better and overall I feel more uplifted, both physically and mentally. It adds very positively to a pregnancy."

Therapist Ethna McQuillan

Irish Independent

Having a baby? Treat your feet

Heeling power: reflexologist Ethna McQuillan treats an expectant mum

By Niamh Hooper
Monday March 31 2008

PUTTING your feet up is always a treat. And never more so than when pregnant, especially if your tootsies are being experting massaged by a specially trained therapist.

Maternity reflexology can be a little slice of pampering heaven -- or so say expectant mothers-to-be.

What makes it even better is that this therapy is endorsed by maternity hospitals including the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin's Holles St as the evidence mounts of its benefits, especially in labour.

It is said to encourage the body's innate ability to restore a healthy balance during this challenging and changing time for your body.

For those unfamiliar with reflexology, it is an ancient treatment based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears corresponding to every organ and part of the body, and that by applying pressure to these reflexes, specific bodily functions and organs are stimulated.

Ethna McQuillan is a Clontarf-based therapist with 16 years experience.

In latter years, the mother-of three has offered a variety of maternity-related therapies in which she 'mothers the mother' before and after a birth. Ethna is open to giving a reflexology treatment during labour itself with homebirth mothers.

The difference between maternity and conventional reflexology is the areas of the foot (and by extension the body) that are left untouched. These include the uterus, ovaries and the pituitary gland -- the body's master gland which plays a role in naturally inducing labour if required.

"When it comes to what is safe and what isn't in pregnancy, opinion is constantly changing. Ten years ago, it would have been unheard of to do reflexology during pregnancy but now, based on feedback from mothers, a huge amount of nurses, midwives and doulas have been trained in it and use it on patients," says Ethna.

"Reflexology prepares the body for labour by rebalancing all the body systems and organs that have been thrown out of whack. The hormones are all over the place, the body is carrying excess blood and the liver and kidneys are working on behalf of the baby as well as the mother, so the reflexology tries to restore balance.

"Not only can regular treatments in the six to eight weeks prior to a woman's due date reduce the length of their labour, but reflexology can also be used to help induce labour naturally and avoid being chemically induced in hospital. Several clients say the reflexology pressed their 'eject' button!"

One mother-in-waiting who hopes not to need the button-pressing services of Ethna is Denise from Blackrock, Co Dublin.

At 35, she has two little boys -- Daniel (4) and Matthew (3) -- and is five-and-a-half months pregnant with her third child.

For the first time, Denise is trying maternity reflexology and is enjoying the relaxation and reassurance offered in a half-hour massage session.

"It's tough juggling working full-time with two small kids and another one on the way. After hearing so many good reports about reflexology, I decided to give it a try and so far I've found it great, especially when it comes to getting a more restful night's sleep.

"Not only do I reap the rewards afterwards, I like the space for myself in the session which I don't get otherwise, and as soon as she touches my big toe -- which is connected to the head -- I conk out."

Verdict from Denise: "I'd recommend it on several counts: it allows you time to chill out; it is a reassuring regular check-up with a practitioner experienced in dealing with pregnant women; it works; and all you have to do it take your socks off."

A maternity reflexology session with Ethna McQuillan costs €55. To make an appointment call 086 647 8898

- Niamh Hooper