Mother and Babies – Katie Sedgwick Therapies

0787 9633674

Maternity, Babies, & Children

Katie uses a unique combination of Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology and over 15 years of experience working with mothers and babies to create treatments that cater to each individual circumstance.

Conceiving

"If the mother has access to just one type of treatment during pregnancy, the best - all around treatment in pregnancy would be Reflexology" Gentle Birth Method Motha (2000)

Medical fertility treatments can be highly stressful, both emotionally and physically.

Reflexology can help alleviate this stress

Reflexology encourages deep relaxation, alleviating symptoms of stress and tension so that conception is more likely to take place
Reflexology encourages equilibrium of all the body systems and as a consequence creates the right environment for conception to take place
Reflexology promotes regular glandular functioning and stimulation of the reproductive system. Reflexology also improves circulation of toxins, improves muscle tone and increases energy levels

Craniosacral therapy (CST) can help support conception naturally or work alongside assisted conception such as IVF. CST can help to support hormonal changes and also encourage the healthy functioning of reproductive organs and glands by releasing restrictions in the surrounding connective tissues for both men and women. CST has been found beneficial by those who may be experiencing difficult emotions due to infertility or help with emotional trauma, in cases such as miscarriage.

Pregnancy

Craniosacral therapy (CST) can also be wonderful support throughout pregnancy and after birth. CST has been shown to be beneficial by bringing relief to symptoms associated with:

• hormonal systems and emotional well-being
• stress, tension, and physical pain
• sleep disturbances

CST is a safe and gentle to receive during pregnancy and has been shown to be beneficial for the changing processes of the three trimesters, treating symptoms associated with:

• fatigue and morning sickness
• physical changes, such as pelvic girdle and back pain
• restless legs syndrome and inflammation
• treating the pelvis to help free movement to the sacrum and coccyx, hence allowing delivery to be much easier and less traumatic.

Labour

Reflexology has been recognised as having a particularly high success rate in the area of labour outcome and is becoming very popular for the purpose of pain relief during labour. There is a small study that shows reflexology that shows reflexology can effect the duration of labour in women experiencing low back or pelvic pain. (A pilot randomised control exploring the effects of antenatal reflexology on about outcomes, McCollough Jem and others, Midwifery December 2017). The study concluded; ‘reflexology is suitable for use during pregnancy, is safe and enjoyable and may reduce labour duration. Midwives may wish to recommend reflexology to promote normal childbirth and facilitate women centred care.’

The findings of the Gentofte study were supported by a further study carried out by Dr Gowri Motha at the Jeyrani Birth Centre on the effects of reflexology on pregnant women. Thirty-seven pregnant women completed a course of 10 reflexology treatments with remarkable effects. The average length of the first stage of labour was 5 hours whereas the text book average is 16-24 hours; the second stage of labour lasted an average of 16 minutes compared to the text book expectancy of 1-2 hours, and only 5.4% of the women who had reflexology treatment required emergency caesarean section compared to an average of 13% in Newham district which was the district where the study was conducted (Motha and Mcgrath)

Katie has completed a post-graduate training in maternity reflexology through the International Federation of Reflexologists under a practising Midwife and Renée Tanner - Founder of the IFR and world-renowned Reflexologist.

She has completed numerous postgraduate trainings in Craniosacral therapy working with pregnancy, mothers and babies through CTET and children & babies in practice I & II with Claire Dolby & Satya Shepherd

Post Natal

Coping with a new born baby can be an emotionally and physically draining time for parents. Reflexology treatments help calm, re-energise as well as providing a valuable space to relax. Other benefits that can be seen include but are not limited to:

Increased energy levels
reduced anxiety
restore sleep patterns
encourage milk flow
reduce risk of postnatal depression

Babies

Most babies benefit from receiving Craniosacral Therapy (CST) after birth, ideally the first few weeks. The majority of babies experience some degree of shock, whether mild or severe, at some stage during the birth process, particularly when recovering from intervention. If it has been a difficult birth or fast labour, the newborn can be in a state of shock, and then it can be as if they haven’t been able to fully arrive. The tissues can often feel frozen, the newborn is often subdued or irritable, will not settle, wakeful and over stimulated. Once released, the tissues can expand and open more freely.
CST can offer support for:
• establishing and supporting breastfeeding
• developing good sleep and self soothing patterns
• early feeding problems such as colic, reflux and allergies
• Torticollis (also known as wry neck, asymmetrical neck or head position)
• Tongue-tie, (also be a cause of additional tension which can make latching and feeding more difficult and CST has been shown beneficial for releasing tension and support pre and post a tongue-tie simple surgical procedure ~ frenotomy.
• Mother’s hormone and sleep patterns, as well as any musculoskeletal changes

Reflexology can also be used for relaxation when performed on your newborn. Reflexology has been found helpful for a number of childhood illnesses / conditions such as colic, glue ear, constipation, stress, sleep problems, growing pains, coughs and colds, blocked noses, eczema, ear and throat infections and so on. Katie often shows parents various reflex points that may help the current symptoms.

Reflexology on babies has been shown to:

improve baby’s sleep patterns
treat constipation
soothe colic pain
soothe teething trouble
encourage bonding between mother and baby

Children

Children of all ages can benefit from the gentle, nurturing and calming approach of Craniosacral (CST) and it has been been found beneficial for the various developmental changes, emotional and physical well-being. Many common behavioural, social and learning difficulties respond well to CST.

Ready to book or
have some questions?
Please get in touch