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First Trimester

Congratulations! You’re pregnant. 

Most likely you’re feeling a roller coaster of emotions including excitement, fear, joy, worry and apprehension all rolled into one. 

You might also be feeling exhausted, nauseous.

Your breasts feel like they’re going to explode.

You feel very emotionally vulnerable and every twinge in your pelvis sends you running to see if your period has started. 

This is all normal. Some women don’t feel much of anything the first trimester and some women seem to experience everything. 

Wherever you are on the spectrum, it’s okay. 

Every pregnancy is different and every woman’s experience of pregnancy is different and often a woman’s experience in different pregnancies are different.

When is the first trimester? 

Pregnancy is approx 40 weeks. When you find out you are pregnant, you get your due date which is based on when you last had your period and/or your ovulation date (or date of embryo transfer). 

The first trimester includes the first 13/14 weeks of your pregnancy. Usually by the time you find out your pregnant, you’re already four or more weeks pregnant because Week 1 is when you had your period.

Changes for the mother: 

Naseau/Morning sickness: The most common symptom that women experience in the first trimester is morning sickness and/or nausea. You may experience anything from mild feelings of nausea to severe and regular vomiting. You may not be able to keep fluids down and it’s important that you make sure you are getting enough fluids to avoid dehydration. 

Indigestion, constipation and gassiness: due to the softening and relaxing of the smooth tissue so the uterus can expand other organs are also affected. The passage of food along the digestive tract slows down and that can sometimes cause digestive issues.  

Exhaustion: It takes a lot of energy to grow a baby and it’s normal to feel tired and lacking energy. This is the time to say no to as much as you can, rest as much as you can and go to bed early. 

Frequent urination: often one of the first signs that you may be pregnant is an increase in urination. There is an increase in fluids in the body and your uterus which sits just above the bladder is now larger (and growing) to accommodate the baby. Sometimes this extra pressure on your bladder can cause you to need to urinate more frequently. Keep drinking even if it means frequent toilet trips. 

Heavy and/or sore breasts: During pregnancy the weight of each breast increases by about half a kilogram! Amazing, there is a lot of breast development in the first trimester and it’s normal to find that your regular bras no longer fit. Higher levels of the hormone progesterone may also make your  breasts extra sensitive or sore. Make sure your bras aren’t too tight and if it’s comfortable for you,  feel free to go braless as much possible. 

Physical support while you’re pregnant

I tailor my treatments especially for you combining the Sobada techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage and reflexology specifically for pregnant women. 

The treatment reduces lower back pain and the heaviness of your growing belly and helps prepare your body for a faster and easier birth.

The womb and back massage helps to strengthen the uterus and all the ligaments supporting it and supports all the changes happening in your body including increasing blood flow to the uterus and growing baby. 

I incorporate hand and foot reflexology to help relieve symptoms like nausea, constipation, tiredness, heartburn, headaches and give you a feeling of calm and relaxation.

Emotional support while you’re pregnant

My treatment room is a safe place to share your emotions and receive practical tools to cope with everything you’re feeling at the moment. While it’s normal to feel some fear in early pregnancy, I believe it’s important to get support if it’s occupying too many of your thoughts and interfering with your everyday life. 

One of my favourite things to do in early pregnancy (although it’s relevant at all stages) is help you to connect to your baby. When you’re newly pregnant and especially when there are doubts about the pregnancy or you’re coping with a high risk situation, this can be challenging but in my experience and my client’s experiences it is empowering and helpful in maintaining faith in the wellbeing of your baby and the pregnancy. 

I can also help you navigate those early decisions about choosing caregivers during pregnancy and connect you with my network of professionals.

I have supported tens of women through early pregnancy so they can feel more calm and confident. Often this support is a natural extension of the support I provide while women are trying to conceive but I also work with new clients during the first trimester.

Is treatment safe in the first trimester of pregnancy? 

I’m so glad you asked. Since deciding that I want to specialise in working with women throughout their life cycle, including fertility and pregnancy, I am constantly attending workshops, reading books and taking online courses and learning from experienced bodyworkers, midwives, and other professionals. 

The training I have done as well as the many hours of experience I have working with women during pregnancy sometimes from before they even know they are pregnant until week 40+ has given me the confidence to work with women at every stage of pregnancy including in the first trimester. 

There is sometimes some debate in the complementary health field about working with women in the first trimester. Honestly, a lot of seems to be about fear of being accused of causing a miscarriage. I am confident that my treatments enhances the likelihood of the pregnancy continuing so I am happy to treat you during the first trimester. I also know from feedback from my clients who significant the support they receive from me is during the initial stages of pregnancy when there is so much uncertainty. 

Having said that, I always discuss what I’m doing with you and check that you feel comfortable. I adjust what I am doing to your comfort levels as each women is comfortable with different things. Luckily, I have many different tools in my therapy tool box and can usually find something that suits. 

When in doubt, listen to your intuition. If you feel that treatment at this time is going to cause more stress than calm then by all means wait till week 13-14 and I’ll be happy to treat you then.

I’m a holistic therapist and I am here to help you!

 

I love helping women to overcome their fertility challenges and other issues related to your cycles, pregnancy, periods and/or anxiety. 

I treat women with abdominal and womb massage techniques known as Sobada (formally the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage) and reflexology.

I’m also an Advanced EFT Tapping practitioner and I work with women in particular issues around anxiety, depression, stress levels. 

I teach Fertility Awareness to help women better know their bodies and improve their chances of conceiving or prevent pregnancy naturally.     

I live in Modi’in, Israel and that’s where I spend my days helping women during their fertile years, pregnancy, menopause and other hormonal conditions. Bodywork sessions (massage and reflexology take place in my clinic in Modi’in but EFT Tapping sessions and Fertility Awareness education can take place online or in person).

Learn more about working with me here.

Testimonials

I did a series of treatments with Annette during pregnancy and close to my due date. Annette is amazing! This treatment is not like any treatment or touch I have ever experienced. It’s an energetic treatment, Annette’s touch contains her heart and soul and it’s felt strongly. 

The treatment is full of sensitivity, in choosing the oils that are suitable for me and especially for me and especially for my needs, everything is carefully and emotionally. Annette listened to my personal story, gives tips, contributes from her extensive knowledge and gives an amazing feeling and encourages a deep connection of the body and soul. I strongly recommend treatments at Annette's to every woman. It's an amazing energetic experience!

Update: I gave birth on Sunday afternoon. We’re home now and everything is great thank you. It was a very good birth, long - 12 hours, but the labour kept going the whole time and I was patient that my amazing body was capable and that the contractions would continue gradually and the birth was amazing. 

Einat Kasif, Modi’in

I was having a difficult pregnancy with my twins and I came to Annette for reflexology. She helped me cope with all the changes in my body. I looked forward to her treatments every week. I wouldn’t have survived my twin pregnancy without Annette’s healing hands. Naomi, Modi’in

I thoroughly enjoyed my prenatal massage with Annette. Not only did it provide me with a much needed opportunity for relaxation, but it helped improve my sore and aching body as well. She was gentle and very aware of how to approach a prenatal body, and I felt quite comfortable in her care. Annette’s treatment definitely enhanced both my physical and mental well-being! K.K., Modi’in

Coming for a treatment ( Sobada, abdominal massage and reflexology for pregnancy) with Annette was the perfect thing to do before I gave birth. To stop and listen to my body and give it exactly what it needs so it will have the strength to do what it knows to do best. I highly recommend Annette at all stages of pregnancy and in particular the last month. I can’t wait to come back after the birth. 

 

Zohar

I would highly recommend Annette for reflexology treatments. I have been to many different people and find hers superior by far. The first time I went was for pleasure and to release some stress from everyday life. I continued to go through my last pregnancy. It helped relieve a lot of the pressure on my feet and keep me relaxed. The treatment room is clean and comfortable. I look forward to each session and am never disappointed.

Mindy

I came to Annette’s clinic to help get my body and mind ready for my son’s upcoming birth. In her treatment room, I found such caring and competent hands, a relaxing and serene environment and pure healthy pampering. I felt so ready for the birth of my son and had more confidence and less anxiety that everything would go smoothly. Thank you so much, Annette! 

 

Shira S

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