Tips for Giving Reiki During Pregnancy

While it is sometimes recommended that pregnant women avoid certain types of massages and different reflexology points, that is not the case with Reiki. Reiki can do no harm, and does in fact help the mother and baby. Reiki aids in relaxation, getting the baby into a good position for birth, and getting rid of any negative energy.

The only concern with Reiki for pregnant women is their position during treatment. Below are some hints and tips about making a pregnant woman comfortable during an in person Reiki treatment.

1. Sit in a chair. Provide a firm, straight-backed chair for the treatment. Whether the chair should have arms is a personal preference. It's recommended that you have both available, so the woman can choose what would make her most comfortable or try both.

2. Have a stool in the room, in case the woman wants to put her feet on it. Letting a pregnant woman's legs hang for an hour--which is the duration of a full Reiki treatment--may cause pain. But having a stool or pillow for her legs will make her more comfortable and allow her to enjoy the treatment.

3. If you want the woman to lie down, ask her to lie on her side. The left side is best, because it provides the most oxygen to the baby and also keeps him or her in a good position for birth. You may also want to have a pillow available, because some women like to prop their belly up when they're lying down.

4. Avoid asking the recipient to lie on her stomach or back. Lying on your back during pregnancy cuts off some of the oxygen supplied to the uterus. And lying on your belly can be extremely painful, especially later in pregnancy.

5. Give her a shorter treatment. As stated above, a full hour-long Reiki treatment may be too long for a pregnant woman to sit or lie comfortably. She may also have to use the bathroom in the middle of it. As a result, limiting the treatment to 30 to 45 minutes often helps. However, ask the recipient what she would prefer, and treat her accordingly.

The most important thing to remember when giving Reiki to a pregnant woman is simple. Follow her lead. Make sure she knows she should tell you if she feels uncomfortable in any way, and can stop the treatment if she wants to. In fact, you should keep this in mind during all treatments. This way, you will have a good relationship with your Reiki clients--a relationship based on trust and honesty.