Did you know that feet-first presentation or breech affects approximately 4% of pregnancies? When this happens, healthcare providers have no option but to either perform a C-section (Caesarean Delivery) or try to turn the baby headfirst. However, both these options are not only difficult but can add to complications, putting the life of the mother at risk. This is where the Webster Technique comes in. During your appointment, the chiropractor will place their hands on your belly and gradually massage the area to increase space so that the baby automatically turns from head-down to headfirst position. Webster Technique is a non-invasive procedure highly recommended for women with breech babies. Read on to learn more about the famous Webster Technique for pregnant women.
What Is the Webster Technique?
Developed in the 1980s by Dr Larry Webster, a famous chiropractor, the Webster Technique is a chiropractic adjustment method that focuses on the alignment and stability of the sacrum and pelvis. Webster Technique is usually performed on pregnant women to improve pelvic functioning and fetal positioning.
While performing the Webster Technique, the primary goal of a chiropractor is to address the subluxations (misalignments) around the spine and pelvis in order to make more room for the fetus. Practitioners mostly recommend this chiropractic technique in the 34th week of pregnancy to turn a breech baby into the head-down position. The Webster Technique is highly recommended in the following conditions:
- You just found out that you have a breech baby.
- You have a history of breech babies.
- You are pregnant and have underlying complications in the pelvis or sacrum.
Compared to all other medical interventions, the Webster Technique is one of the safest ways to turn over a breech baby. A 2002 study proved that the Webster Technique has an 82% of success rate in resolving breech pregnancies in the 8th month. In addition to this, the Webster Technique can also help with providing relief from stiffness in the leg, back pain, and leg pain and reduce the risk of birth canal issues and nerve system stress.
How Is the Webster Technique Performed?
Once you arrive for your appointment, the chiropractor will give you a special pregnancy pillow and will ask you to lay face down on the chiropractic table. The pillow given to you has a unique cut-out in the middle, providing your body and belly support during the Webster Technique session.
The chiropractor will then conduct a physical examination of your belly. The chiropractor will move toward your feet and slowly bend them upwards to your hips to assess if they meet evenly. If both feet align, that means your pelvis is fine. However, if they don’t, it is an indicator of a pelvis misalignment. The chiropractor will use a special adjustment instrument to treat the misalignment in the pelvis. Once this is done, the chiropractor will ask you to turn so that they can check for any misalignments in the frontal area of your body. If subluxations are found, the chiropractor will massage the soft tissues to reduce the pressure and improve the alignment of the ligaments surrounding the uterus and the abdominal muscles.
In case you are seeing a chiropractor to help with your breech baby, you will be surprised to see that instead of attempting to manually change the baby’s position, the practitioner will use chiropractic adjustment to create space in the pelvis. This will provide the fetus with enough room to move freely and get into the optimal position on its own.
Things to Ask Your Doctor Before Opting for Webster Technique
Are you interested in giving Webster Technique a shot? If yes, call your healthcare provider or chiropractor and ask them the following questions:
- What is the success ratio of the Webster Technique in my case?
- What is the ideal time in my pregnancy to start prenatal chiropractic care?
- Depending on my medical history, are there any risks associated with Webster Technique?
- Is there any viable medical reason that suggests that I should not seek chiropractic care?
- What are the warning signs I should watch during the prenatal chiropractic care session (such as discomfort and pain)?
- Do you offer customized chiropractic care plans?
When you go for a prenatal chiropractic care session, you are trusting someone else with you and your baby’s health. Thus, while this might seem like an extra step, knowing the answers to these questions will provide you with much-needed satisfaction and peace of mind throughout the prenatal chiropractic care appointment.
J & Co Chiropractic Provides the Best Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Arlington Heights
The nine months of pregnancy are a life-changing experience. While you might be scared to try something new during this period, prenatal chiropractic care will provide you with much-needed peace of mind, comfort and relaxation while improving imbalance in the spine and pelvis. When it comes to the Webster Technique, do your research and choose a trained and experienced chiropractor to ensure that you and your baby are safe throughout the process.
Dr Jessica Cho at J & Co Chiropractic is committed to providing the best chiropractic care in Arlington Heights. Prioritizing you and your child’s health and safety, we will develop a prenatal chiropractic care plan according to your medical history and unique needs. Our chiropractors will use a combination of the Webster Technique and manual adjustments to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy. Whether breech baby or not, chiropractic care is a must for everyone. Contact us or visit our website to schedule a prenatal chiropractic care appointment today!
