More than half of new mothers experience a change in their mood after childbirth, for some it can happen shortly after baby arrives, while others may not feel the effects until their baby is a year old. Symptoms can range from irritability and tearfulness to obsessive-compulsive behavior and even bipolar and manic episodes.
Mild cases of the 'baby blues' are often eased with a combination of self-care and a short series of reflexology treatments. More advanced mood disturbances, such as postpartum psychosis, are best approached with a combination of assistance from the mom's health and wellness team and her reflexologist. New moms can take the Edinburgh Post Natal Depression Scale and share it with their health care provider.
Reflexology and the Baby Blues
The postpartum blues is very common in the first few weeks after birth and typically consist of feelings of anxiousness, tearful spells, mood swings and irritability. Reflexology treatments during this period focus on supporting the mother's endocrine and reproductive systems through specialized pressure point work applied to the feet, hands and/or ears. The practitioner will take a detailed case history and customize the session to the client's specific needs and goals. Reflexology has been found to be quite helpful with breastfeeding and childbirth recovery as well, making this modality a welcome postpartum therapy for new mums.
Reflexology for Postpartum Depression
Different from the baby blues, postpartum depression, or PPD, can last longer than the first weeks after a baby is born. Typically it shows up in the first couple of months after birth and has the same nature as depression that can occur at other stages in life. Concentration may be affected, feelings of guilt and worthlessness may be present and suicidal thoughts may also present themselves in PPD.
Your reflexologist will recommend that you seek dual care with a mental health provider while receiving reflexology treatments. Women that cannot tolerate, or do not wish to take, antidepressant medications can speak with their psychiatrist or counselor about non-medicated approaches to mental wellness in the postpartum months.
Reflexology in depression brings a greater awareness of the connection between the mind and the body, easing the physical discomforts postpartum depression can bring. The reflexologist may work with you to help you get more sleep, to ease the shifts in appetite, and to bring the body's attention to endocrine system for hormone balancing. Sessions may be ongoing for a number of weeks or months depending on the mother's goals and how she is feeling from one appointment to the next.
Postpartum Psychosis and Reflexology's Role
Also called puerperal psychosis, this illness requires a very involved role from a mental health practitioner to prevent the mother from harming herself or her baby. Hallucinations - seeing or hearing things that are not actually present - delusional behavior and rapid mood shifts may be present in this condition.
A reflexologist may be available to make an outcall to visit the mother during her stay in the psychiatric ward or under the care of her psychiatrist. Calmness and a nurturing technique can be very soothing for the mom, the appointment may be shortened based on her comfort level and ability to accept an hour of non-movement. It may be helpful for the psychiatrist and reflexologist to have a meeting prior to the appointment and then have both present for the actual reflexology session.
Reflexology is not a Replacement for Mental Health Care
It is important to remember that reflexology does not replace the care provided by a licensed mental counselor or doctor, instead it works to complement that existing care. Some women prefer to start their reflexology sessions during pregnancy with the forethought to a continuity of care through postpartum. Reflexologists that specialize in maternity reflexology have taken extra training to understand the physiological and anatomical changes the body experiences in the postpartum year from conception through puerperium.
References:
- Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Women's Mental Health: Postpartum Psychiatric Disorders. Accessed July 22, 2011.
- The author's clinical experience working both as a professional labor coach and a maternity reflexologist in her private practice and in hospitals in the greater Boston area since 2004.
- Postpartum depression: Depression - postpartum; Postnatal depression, National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Accessed July 22, 2011.
Amy Kreydin - Amy Kreydin, NBCRT, CCAP, BD is a Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist.
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