COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN DUBLIN MATERNITY HOSPITAL

Complementary therapies are alive and well and very much in action at our National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin.

In December 1995 six midwives were chosen to set up a Reflexology Clinic at the hospital. It was originally part of the Physiotherapy Department but was graduated to a delightfully appointed room in a quiet section of the hospital.

Sister Gertie Cull is the driving force behind the programme, and the reaction from patients, doctors and practitioners is totally positive and the benefits enormous.

According to Sr. Cull the introduction of Reflexology was due to a number of factors:
(a) Response to inquiries from patients.
(b) A number of midwives in the hospital had trained in Reflexology and wished to use their skills.
(c) Doctors who had worked abroad and seen for themselves how effective it could be were willing to implement the introduction of this therapy.

The demand is huge but patients are very carefully selected and usually referred by the doctors, the psychosexual clinic, the nurses, and in some cases the chaplain. Each patient is given six to eight treatments, and if necessary referred on to appropriate counsellors.

CONDITIONS BENEFITING
A variety of conditions are dealt with - both Obstetric and Gynaecological. A sample of the clinic's caseload would include Endometriosis, Infertility, Stress, Pre and Post-Natal depression, back pain, M.E. and P.M.S.

The practice of Reflexology is not just confined to the clinic. At least fifty of the staff are trained practitioners and use their skills in other hospital departments. They have found that labour can be induced by a Reflexology treatment more effectively than by rupturing the membranes and the length of labour can be shortened (in fact quite often the patients sleep between contractions!). It is also an excellent way to help expel a retained placenta and can help relieve urinary retention after delivery.

OTHER THERAPIES
Patients are also allowed to bring their own therapists into hospital with them. Yoga Prenatal is actively encouraged, and acupuncturists and Reiki practitioners are on call.

Aromatherapy Massage is used on babies in incubators and Reflexology is widely used on babies with colic and parents are given lessons in the art of keeping their baby stress and colic free.

The Gynaecological patients also benefit- particularly those who require ongoing oncology treatments (for whom Reiki is wonderfully beneficial).
The extent of the therapies in use in the National Maternity Hospital and the acceptance of the efficacy by the medical staff are testament to the benefits of complementary health care.

The acceptance and success of the Holles Street clinic is due in no small measure to the indefatigable energy, dedication and enthusiasm of Sister Gertie Cull.

This article has been presented with the kind permsission of Lua McIlraith, Irish Reflexology Institute.

For information on Reflexology and Practitioners, visit our PRACTITIONERS CENTRE

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