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Complementary Therapies for Pregnancy

Aromatherapy

Using carefully chosen essential oils (sometimes alongside massage), aromatherapy can help ease some of the emotional and physical load that pregnancy brings. Think: calming your nervous system when everything feels a bit much, lifting low moods, or helping release that stubborn shoulder tension. This kind of plant-powered support can be a gentle, grounding way to feel more like yourself again.

Not all essential oils are safe for pregnancy. Some can trigger contractions or irritation, so it’s important to work with someone who knows their stuff (hi, that’s me!). I’ll always tailor aromatherapy to suit your body, symptoms, and stage of pregnancy.

Massage

Massage involves slow, purposeful strokes and gentle pressure to soften tight muscles, ease tension, and calm your nervous system. The goal isn’t just to help you relax (though that’s a big part of it) it’s to support your whole body as it works hard to grow new life.

Massage helps improve circulation, reduce swelling, ease those all-too-common pregnancy aches and release the build-up of tension in your shoulders, hips, and lower back. It can also help regulate stress hormones, promote deeper sleep, and offer a moment of stillness in the middle of everything.

Reflex Zone Therapy

This pregnancy focused technique works by applying pressure to specific points on your feet  which link up with different parts of your body. You may have heard of Reflexology which is based on the idea that everything’s connected, and by supporting one area, you can help bring balance to the whole system.

It’s especially helpful in pregnancy for things like nausea, pelvic pain, backache, and even encouraging labour when the time is right. While it can feel relaxing, the real magic is in how it nudges your body back into alignment, supporting your physical symptoms while giving your nervous system a chance to breathe.

Clinical hypnosis

Pregnancy can bring up all sorts of fears...birth, needles, hospitals, or just the unknown. Hypnosis offers a way to quiet that inner noise. Unlike hands-on therapies such as massage or aromatherapy, hypnosis is talking-based. It uses guided relaxation and focused attention to work with the subconscious mind to shift unhelpful thought patterns and build a steadier, more confident mindset for whatever lies ahead.

It’s not stage tricks or hypnobirthing scripts, it’s an evidence-based approach that helps you feel calmer, more grounded, and more confident in handling what’s ahead.

Moxibustion

The technique involves burning a a fragrant herb just above specific acupuncture point on your feet. The gentle warmth and herbal smoke are believed to stimulate uterine activity and encourage your baby to shift into a better position for birth. While it’s not guaranteed to work for every baby, moxibustion is a safe, non-invasive option worth considering if your little one is stubbornly breech and you want to explore natural ways to help encourage that turn.

 

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient practice that uses tiny, super-thin needles placed at specific points on your body to help restore balance and kickstart your body’s own healing. During pregnancy, it’s great for tackling all sorts of common challenges; pelvic pain, nausea, carpal tunnel syndrome, and it can even help nudge labour along when the time is right!...and if you’re feeling a bit needle-phobic, no worries, I can help shift that with hypnosis sessions too.

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Complementary therapies to help support your pregnancy, birth and beyond
Paige Elliott (BSc, RM) has been a qualified midwife since 2012 and has gained extensive experience working within a variety of NHS trusts across the UK. She has successfully completed the Diploma in Midwifery Complementary Therapies with Expectancy, the UK’s leading provider of specialist training in this field. Paige also holds an enhanced DBS check and full professional insurance with FEDANT

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