Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
By Elizabeth Bonet, PhD

“She’s breech – what?!” No pregnant woman likes to hear this news. Breech or Transverse for most of us means weeks of trying all kinds of crazy unproven techniques such as diving in a swimming pool, shining lights down low, having our partners talk to our bellies, and positioning our huge and awkward bodies upside down on ironing boards! It means weeks of worry as well, hoping the baby will turn in order to avoid a cesarean section.

Some women request an “external version;” a technique performed in the hospital where the doctor attempts to turn the baby with external pressure. This is usually considered a last resort as it requires hospitalization and mild sedation. In addition, these days many doctors aren’t trained in the technique or do not allow it.

The Webster Technique
What if there was a completely safe technique that did not require hospitalization, sedation, or a doctor’s permission? The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique that has very high success rates in allowing breech and transverse babies to turn. Notice the word “allowing.” It doesn’t actually turn the baby, rather facilitates the baby turning on its own.

During pregnancy, the bones of the pelvis shift quite a bit to prepare for childbirth. This can cause tightening in the ligaments and muscles in the lower back area as well as those that attach to the pelvis, resulting in some constraint of the uterus. This constraint can make it difficult for the baby to get into a head down position. The Webster Technique is a very gentle pelvic adjustment that corrects the misalignments. The uterus then relaxes and the baby has a little more room to turn. Dr. Vivian Keeler, a chiropractor certified in the technique who practices in Hollywood, Florida says, “The Webster Technique is interesting in that it is designed to balance out the pelvis and its muscles and ligaments. A balanced pelvis usually results in better baby positioning - important for easy birth.”

What’s amazing about the Webster Technique is the reported success rates, which range from 75% to 95%. A November 7, 2001 report on a study conducted by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association reported a success rate of 92%. That’s much higher than anything reported about playing music “way down low!”

“Will it hurt?” Absolutely not. It’s painless. In fact, you may walk out feeling better than when you walked in. Most people feel great after a chiropractic adjustment, especially during pregnancy.  The Webster Technique is no different in its goal – to bring alignment back to your body. Lisa Douglas, who tried the Webster Technique to get her posterior positioned baby to turn into an easier position for birth, was very happy to have had the adjustment. She highly recommended it saying, “I felt him [the baby] turn immediately. The birth was fast and easy. I think it could have been so much worse had the baby still been in the wrong position.”

My Back Feels So Much Better!
Chiropractic care during pregnancy can actually help prevent a malpositioned baby as well as relieve a host of pregnancy related complaints - heartburn, sciatica, neck strain, ligament pulling, back and leg pain. Dr. Keeler says, “So many woman suffer with back issues and really don't have to.” How many women see chiropractors during their pregnancy? A lot more than you think! Even women who have never seen a chiropractor many times seek one out when they are pregnant. Jenifer Carbulon, who used a chiropractor during her pregnancy for intense back and leg pain, said, “The chiropractor adjusted my back and hips and I felt 100% better. I definitely plan to use a chiropractor in a future pregnancy because my back and hips felt better in those last weeks of pregnancy than the earlier part.”

So how do find a chiropractor? The best way is to ask your friends and people you trust who they see. If you’re using the chiropractor for a breech, transverse, or posterior positioned baby, make sure he or she is trained in the Webster Technique. Not every chiropractor is able to do it. Check out the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association to find the nearest chiropractor who has the certification. Then, after you make your appointment, just roll yourself off the ironing board and rest assured that you’re doing everything you can!

Dr. Vivian Keeler, chiropractor, doula, and HypnoBirthing® instructor can be reached at the Hollywood Birthing Center in Hollywood, Florida or via e-mail at mybirthmatters@aol.com. Elizabeth Bonet, Ph.D. is a freelance writer who lives in Sunrise, Florida. She can be reached at elizabeth@yogafairy.com.

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