Breech Pregnancy Corrected Under Chiropractic Care

The March 31, 2016, issue of the Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health documented the case of a woman who was 35 weeks into her pregnancy with a breech presentation who was helped and gave birth normally due to chiropractic care.

The usage of chiropractic care by women who are pregnant has been increasing. The most common reason that woman seek chiropractic is for musculoskeletal pain, specifically back pain. However, more women are turning to chiropractic with breech pregnancies after reading information about a chiropractic procedure known as the "Webster Technique."

In this case, a 37-year-old woman went for a chiropractic consultation and possible care at 35 weeks of her second pregnancy. She was suffering from right hip and pelvic pain. Additionally, an ultrasound examination performed the week prior showed that her baby was in the frank breech position.

The history revealed that the woman gave birth to her first child after being induced at 37 weeks into her pregnancy. The baby was born vaginally in the posterior position but showed significant bruises on his head.

A chiropractic examination was performed using structural analysis and palpation of the spine and pelvis. Subluxations were noted and adjustments along with the Webster Technique was utilized. Pillows and a specialized adjusting table were used to accommodate her pregnancy. Care was rendered three times over a five day period prior to her delivery.

The patient reported that after the first visit she felt the baby had changed position. She stated that her "…baby was sitting in the pelvis and was moving differently." As a result of the chiropractic care, the woman's baby was delivered normally, in the head-down vertex position, with no complications.

In their discussion, the authors explain the results by stating, "The use of the Webster Technique during pregnancy has been well documented in the peer-reviewed and non peer-reviewed literature." They describe the Webster Technique as "…a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment to establish neuro-biomechanical balance and function in the pelvis via the correction of sacral subluxation."

The authors' conclusion stated, "This case report provides supporting evidence on the effectiveness of chiropractic care via Webster Technique during pregnancy with positive outcomes."