Complementary therapy for induction of labour
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language: pregnancy, explained
Midwives at West Middlesex hospital (WMUH) offer complementary therapies as part of antenatal care. Aromatherapy and reflex zone therapy (also known as 'reflexology', a system of using touch on areas of the feet that stimulate parts of the body) are offered to induce spontaneous labour for women with low risk pregnancies once post dates, reducing the need for medical induction of labour (IOL) and intervention and reducing the cost to the NHS. This paper discusses how this service was implemented and developed, and the audit results and feedback from women and midwives.
Key Findings: what this observational study found about pregnancy
- ✓West Middlesex Hospital successfully implemented a complementary therapy service offering aromatherapy and reflexology to induce spontaneous labour in low-risk post-date pregnancies.
- ✓The reflexology and aromatherapy service reduced the need for medical induction of labour and associated medical interventions.
- ✓The complementary therapy program generated cost savings for the NHS while providing positive feedback from both women and midwives.
What This Means for You
While reflexology for labor induction is offered in some UK hospitals, this study is a service description without rigorous comparison data, so the evidence that it actually works is limited.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology for labor induction can be integrated into antenatal services in hospital settings, but practitioners should be aware that implementation requires coordination with midwives and clear protocols for patient selection.
Pregnancy: common questions
What does this study say about pregnancy?
While reflexology for labor induction is offered in some UK hospitals, this study is a service description without rigorous comparison data, so the evidence that it actually works is limited.
What did this study find?
West Middlesex Hospital successfully implemented a complementary therapy service offering aromatherapy and reflexology to induce spontaneous labour in low-risk post-date pregnancies. The reflexology and aromatherapy service reduced the need for medical induction of labour and associated medical interventions. The complementary therapy program generated cost savings for the NHS while providing positive feedback from both women and midwives.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a observational study and we rate its evidence limited. It was published in The practising midwife. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
Related Research
Effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatments in lowering blood pressure in pregnant women with hypertension: A systematic review.
Comparative effectiveness of nonpharmacological interventions on postpartum maternal sleep quality: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
The effect of prenatal yoga and reflexology in reducing labor duration and perceived pain; a systematic review and meta-analysis
Effect of acupressure and reflexology on pregnancy constipation: a quasi-experimental study
The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Postpartum Comfort and Breastfeeding Outcomes in Postpartum Women: A Meta-Analysis Study
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