During the final months before birth, most babies settle into a
head-down position in preparation for labor and delivery. Breech
refers to a baby who is positioned with the feet or buttocks down.
One cause of breech presentation may be constraint or tension in the
lower part of the uterus. Usually the bottom of the uterus is
larger than the top. Late in pregnancy, as the head becomes larger
the baby will naturally turn head down where there is more space.
However, if there is tension in the lower part of the uterus there
is no incentive to turn.
Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy are safe and gentle, and
provide incredible benefits to both mother and baby throughout
gestation. One particular benefit is the normalization of the bones
in the lower back and pelvis. When pelvic bones become fixated they
tug on ligaments that attach to the lower portion of the uterus and
cause uterine constraint.
There is a Chiropractic method called the Webster Technique that
works to restore normal pelvic motion which in turn relaxes the
lower uterus and removes a key obstruction to the babies natural
ability and desire to turn.
Dr. Larry Webster, the founder of the International Chiropractic
Pediatric Association, developed the Webster Technique after seeing
his own daughter deliver a breech baby. A recent study by the
Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported a
high rate of success (82%) in relieving intrauterine constraint
using the Webster Technique, allowing breech position babies to turn
to the normal occiput anterior position. This naturally facilitates
easier and safer deliveries and helps avoid more invasive procedures
like the external cephalic version and c-sections. The technique is
very gentle, safe, and comfortable, and can be done any time during
pregnancy.
