Ali gave me reflexology from the fourth month of my pregnancy. I was attempting to follow the Gentle Birth Method and Ali could always tell when I'd eaten things that I shouldn't have, but she didn't pressure me at all and helped me try out different parts of the method. I definitely felt that our regular sessions helped to ease up the tension in my back, and they certainly made me feel more relaxed.

As labour day approached I saw Ali more frequently and when I was told that I was probably going to go overdue, I saw her for reflexology to see if it could help to stimulate contractions. Within 24 hours of receiving a treatment my labour started! During labour, despite trying various visualisation techniques things seemed to be happening very slowly and my contractions were all over the place. Ali came to see me in the hospital and I credit her completely with regulating and increasing the strength of my contractions. She was absolutely great at giving me reflexology and massaging my back during contractions as my husband sat and did Sudoku for 3 hours.

Ali stayed with me until I was moved to the birthing pool and Isabella was born a couple of hours later into the water - something I never thought would happen. Despite being painful, my birth experience really was the best I could have hoped for and I am blessed with the most amazing, relaxed, happy little person who lights up the room and the lives of anyone she meets.

On 20th July 2006 my healthy bruiser of a son came into this world. I was introduced to Gowri Motha's Gentle Birth method at around 3 months of pregnancy and fortuitously Ali was the first - and from then on in the only - therapist to treat me. Starting out with all the anxieties of a first time mum as she heads on the unknown journey towards giving birth, within weeks of meeting Ali these worries had largely vanished. A combination of reflexology, creative healing and massage, together with Gowri's recommended diet, left me without a single complication in the lead up to, during and after birth. I felt full of energy throughout my pregnancy and managed to gain only the required amount of weight. The hours spent with Ali during my treatments left me feeling calm, confident and excited about what lay ahead.

The morning before I went into labour I had experienced what I was convinced were a few contractions. When the midwives at the hospital told me this was a false alarm I was naturally disappointed. I called Ali - she agreed with me that it was quite possible that my contractions had started and came straight over to work her reflexology magic on me to help the process take its natural course. That night I went into labour for real and Milo was born at 8 o’clock the next morning. Although my contractions were very strong and frequent - no doubt the hand of Ali at work - and despite the unexpected size and weight of my baby (a hefty 8.5 pounds), I had a natural birth and experienced not a single tear. Furthermore, within six weeks of having Milo I had regained my figure and had made a rapid perineal recovery - to put it delicately!

I had a particular problem with regard to constipation throughout my pregnancy. My bi-monthly – and, later, weekly – reflexology treatments were absolute lifesavers: my body eliminated toxins almost immediately after each session with Ali. Without the treatments I would have been a permanently cross and highly uncomfortable pregnant woman!

Ali was excellent at reinforcing the fundamental tenets of Dr. Motha’s system in a gentle, but straightforward and no-nonsense manner – very important for a woman trying to stick to the programme! Furthermore, as Ali herself follows Gowri’s “no wheat, no sugar” diet to a greater extent, she is particularly able to advise and support her clients’ efforts in complying with all aspects of the Gentle Birth Method’s physical preparation for birth.

Once I was in hospital, Ali was crucial in getting my pre labour started, and, using visualisation techniques and lots of gentle encouragement, provided a positive emotional framework within which to proceed. Due to the fact that I was suddenly found to be leaking huge amounts of protein, I was told that I needed to give birth as soon as possible. Ali worked on my feet for 3-4 hours and used clary sage oil on my body to kick-start the first contractions. Without her gentle and reassuring care I would have panicked and perhaps sabotaged what turned out to be an amazing birth experience.

In the event I gave birth naturally, in water, in five hours, without even contemplating the need for pain relief.

Reflexology sessions with Ali formed an important and enjoyable part of my pregnancy programme. I followed Dr Gowri Motha's Gentle Birth Method, though at various times pressures of work made it difficult for me to follow the diet and exercise guidelines as closely as I would have liked to. At this point, Ali was a wonderful source of advice and support - I definitely wouldn't have been able to stick it out (and feel the benefits) without her understanding and encouragement.

The reflexology and creative healing sessions contributed greatly to a very healthy pregnancy and my energy levels remained high throughout. I now have a very happy and relaxed baby girl and am convinced that this is due to how good I felt while I was carrying her, thanks to my sessions with Ali.