Can you turn breech babies?

Recently I have been getting the same question over and over . . . .



"Dr. Richards can you turn a breech baby?" Because this question comes up with alarming frequency I thought I would address it here. (Although this is not strictly a back pain related topic.)
First of all chiropractors do not and should not "turn babies". Turning a baby is a terribly painful and brutal practice. While some OBs may try to turn a baby, it is generally not successful and carries inherent risks, such as rupture of the placenta, injury to the baby, and early labor.
Once again, chiropractors do not turn babies.
Some of the confusion may lie in the fact that chiropractors often use a technique called the Webster Technique which was once known as the "Webster's Breech Turning Technique" due to the high frequency of babies turning following the technique.

What is the Webster Technique and how does it work?
The Webster Technique corrects intrauterine constraint, which occurs when the proper shape of the uterus in constricted due to tight ligaments, rotated sacrum, or other external forces. When intrauterine constraint is present it can keep the fetus from attaining the proper head-down birthing position, which leads most often to a cesarean section. In fact 13% of all cesarean sections in the US are due to breech positioning.

Performance of the Webster Technique begins by analysis of the relationship of the bones of the pelvis. Upon finding a restriction, a light force chiropractic adjustment of the sacrum corrects the restriction. The chiropractor will then analyze abdominal muscle tension or spasm and work to relax this tightening.

Does the Webster Technique work?
The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue an 82% success rate of babies turning head down when doctors of chiropractic used the Webster Technique. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique as early as the 8th month of pregnancy when a woman has a breech presentation.

To summarize, if you have a breech baby and are concerned about the possibility of a cesarean, the Webster Technique is a safe and effective treatment. To find a chiropractor near you who is certified in the Webster Technique follow this link. Or visit my office at www.abetterbrain.com