Reflexology in maternity units

[oexssycr]

Quick question for anyone who's into maternity reflexology. How would I go about getting into my local maternity unit? The director of the clinic I work at is trying to muscle in but she'd basically be doing it for her own agrandissement and I'd rather do it independently from her. Whenever a pregnant woman comes to the clinic for advice she seems to book them in with a homoeopath (which she actually seems to do with everyone) and only sends them to me for induction. And we all know, don't we, that if they came for reflexology throughout they'd be less likely to need induction.

 

[pariah1]

Have PM'd you.

Lesley

 

[Riaan]

I've just written to the 2 heads of maternity services in Nottingham (there are 2 large teaching hospitals here) to introduce myself and to tell them what I do. I wanted to put my leaflets in the ante-natal clinics.

Waited a couple of weeks for a reply and got a resounding 'NO' from both of them - they don't want to meet me for a chat - they both say that they're quite happy with the services already offered by the NHS (no reflexolgoy for pregnant women then) and have no interest in 'advertising' for anyone outside of the NHS.

I'm concentrating on the community midwives now in the health centres.

On the maternity reflexology course I attended in June there were 2 midwives from Newcastle - they were both qualified reflexologists and were trying to introduce reflexology into the maternity clinics. They had been told by their senior nursing officers that if they were 'caught' using reflexology on NHS patients they would risk disceplinary action.

so Good luck.

Love

Sulis xx

 

[weemwepeorEfs]

yes, its not easy. i spent a lot of time last summer/ autum whilst i was fresh from the course, trying to approach the head of midwifery in various hospitals.

tricky ladies to get hold of. one said no outright. another sounded quite interested, asked me to send her info and gave me the impression that it would be followed up with an invite for me to come and chat to the community midwives, but despite follow ups... nothing.

another hosptial was all full of, oh yes... show the midwives some techniques and i thought, foot in the door... but nothing. i did give them some leaflets though and once when visiting my mum i went down and said hello... <shrug>

i did manage to get a meeting with the local community midwives, out up a poster, left them lots of info, told them all about what i can do, how i can help etc etc... but i have had one lady for unduction. i was hoping that these midwives might at least mention me to ladies... i even offered them a freebie so they could see for themselves...

this is what its like... [sm=banghead.gif]

i advertise with a local NCT mag and even wrote an article... nothing. the other NCT group, who i offered to write an article for, were right snotty about it and said IF they wanted an articale, they approached the person for it (gawd they should read their newsletter... tres boring!!).

so i have kinda given up... actually i need to get myself out there again...

sorry to sound so negative... i daresay if you volunteer....

 

[joe.attaboy]

I think the big problem you have here is that the midwives themselves train in reflexology and this will stop you getting your foot in the door.

I had an enquiry via our website last week from a midwife in Manchester asking for my advice on which reflexology course she should take! She said she was very confused about it and didn't know which course she should do.

My own health visitor was studying reflexology and aromatherapy when I was having my twins (13 years ago) and she used me as a case study. She was really struggling to get them the accept it and eventually she left the NHS to work privately.

If it helps, when I moved back to the Wirral I approached our local children's hospice, which is very high profile, to offer my services on a voluntary basis and got a very sniffy reply, saying, thank you but we already have nurses qualified in that! Their loss I reckon. I was miffed at the time but I didn't give up and eventually worked as a volunteer with another big local charity with cancer patients. I didn't have to do it for long before I started work at the Centre which I now run.

My message is, don't give up. What is meant to be will be. Think outside the box. You have skills that are valuable and you have to find the way to use them. I would look elsewhere. There are shed-loads of pregnant women and once you get a few clients then you will be set. You can blow a big raspberry to the NHS then.

 

[Mina]

If you follow this link to our website you can go to a good website for research into reflexology and women's conditions.

http://fp.osteopath.plus.com/holistic-centre//links/reflexology.htm

 

[an old Priestess]

Hi There
I am sorry to hear you are all having problems getting into midiwfery units. There are not many Midwife's who are reflexologists.
I am lucky in that I work in a very forward thinking unit My name and web address goes out on all the booking forms sent to women. which they get when they book with thier midwife. I have posters up in many antenatal clinics.
Have you tried advertising in any shops that sell baby wear and prams etc. I adverise in a local one called born and have had a few replys. the only other thing I could sugest is to, try at the GP surgeries.
I hope you have some success because women benefit so much from having reflexology whilst pregnant and in Labour.
love
Glynis

 

[Jess Smith]

hi glynis,

you definitely have an advantage... your unit knows you anyway, and are happy to promote you. i was hoping that if i introduced my delf to local community midwives, they would see that i wasnt strange <g>, and would feel more comfortable in *mentioning* me to women... i dont mean advertising, but if they have women with problems that i have said reflexology can help with, why not *mention* me. SPD for example... what do women have on offer? surgical tubey belts and a long wait for an NHS referral to osteo or physio.

not many doctors will have you put posters up, due to the ensuing flood of everyone elses posters. they wont recommend you, because they dont want to be sued if it goes wrong and they dont know enough about it anyway. also most ante natal clinics seem to be run at the midwife clinic...

<sigh sigh sigh>

 

[Ji.ngleberr.ies]

A quick update - The parentcraft manager at one of the hospitals I'd sent my sample leaflet to rang today to say that they'd decided that it would be ok for me to put some leaflets out in the ante-natal clinics there. What a turn around - I'm not complaining though

Love

Sulis xx

 

[fnpvqagl]

I have one local midwife who puts my leaflet in with the booking pack...I generally get a few clients from this for either massage which is what they phone for in the first instance and then when i have them hear i obviously extoll reflex and say dont take my word for it go look it up on the internet..

my last reflex baby was born after a 3hour 16mins labour where the 16mins was pushing, no stitches, no pain relief, 1st time mum......

T
x

 

[mindwarp]

i need to get my ass in gear and get onto those midwives again!! if you can get one brave enough to mention you... word gets around.

 

[TONY S]

You get your ass in gear girl I'm feeling a bit more hopeful now. Word seems to be getting round amongst pregnant women that reflexology is a very good therapy to have during pregnancy.

Love

Sulis xx

 

[?Falling For Him ?]

Best of luck to you all, i hope you manage to get some work with pregnant women I know they will benefit no end
So keep plugginf at it please
Love
Glynis[sm=grouphug.gif]