Breech Birth
Peer Reviewed Publications:
The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique with Obstetric Implications. . Accepted for publication in a forthcoming issue of JMPT.
- Objective: The purpose of this study is to survey members of the I.C.P.A. regarding their experiences with the Webster Technique. The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique designed to relieve the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint, which lead to cesarean section.
- Results: 187 surveys were returned from 1,047 members of the I.C.P.A., Inc throughout the United States and Canada, constituting a return rate of 17.86%. One hundred twelve surveys were returned from which to derive data. Of the 112 responses, 102 resulted in resolution of the breech presentation while 10 remained unresolved.
- Conclusion: In this study the doctors surveyed reported a high proportion of success in relieving the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint with the Webster Technique (82%). When successful, the Webster Technique avoids the costs and/or risks of wither, ECV, cesarean section or vaginal trial of breech. In view of these findings the Webster Technique deserves serious consideration in the health care management of expectant mothers exhibiting adverse fetal presentation.
Pistolese, R.A. JMPT Manuscript #MS-
Case Studies:
Analysis and adjustment for breech presentations.
- This paper includes five case studies that demonstrate the effects of chiropractic on breech presentations of the fetus. Most were adjusted by the Webster Breech Technique but not all.
- Case #1: A 29-
year old female presented at 34 weeks with midwife confirmed breech presentation. C2 and T5 were adjusted at first adjustment, “left Logan” at second visit. One week after first adjustment midwife confirmed a vertex presentation. Baby born naturally without drugs or medical intervention of any kind. - Case #2: 30-
year- old at 32 weeks gestation with a midwife confirmed breech presentation. Within two days midwife confirmed vertex position of fetus. Baby was born naturally. - Case #3: 36-
year- old presented 37 weeks gestation with breech presentation. MD confirmed a transverse presentation of fetus. One day after the adjustment the baby turned. Baby was born naturally three weeks later.
Bagnell L and Gardner-
Application of the Webster in-
- From the abstract: The purpose of this paper is to present a brief review of the
medical versus chiropractic management of breech presentation. This paper includes
a description of the Webster in-
utero constraint technique and the author’s application of the technique with six pregnancies. - Patients: Amish women of varying ages and parity who had developed third trimester breech malpositions.
- Outcome measures: Correction of the malposition was determined by palpation using Leopold’s maneuver and verified by medical doctors.
- Results: All cases were successfully treated using the Webster in-
utero constraint technique. One woman had a failed external cephalic version attempt by a medical doctor. Five of the deliveries were uncomplicated: one birth is still pending as of this writing. - Conclusion: The author has presented a case series of woman with successfully corrected breech malpositions using a chiropractic technique developed by Larry Webster, D.C.
Kunau, PL. J ofClinical chiropractic pediatrics. Vol 3 No. 1, 1998.
Additional Publications:
(From the International Chiropractic Pediatric Newsletter November/December 1997):
- The Webster In Utero Constraint Technique makes a powerful impact on children’s lives
and health potential even before they are born. By correcting the mothers subluxations’
using this technique, a significant amount of babies are turning in-
utero and avoiding birth trauma associated with breech births and C- sections. Doctors internationally are calling in with their success stories quite frequently. Some DCs have formed alliances with midwives, birthing centers and even obstetricians. The following letters from two of our members will give you a glimpse of its value in our practices. Matthew Foreman, McKes Rock, PA wrote:
“We are thrilled that we were able to utilize the Webster breech technique on Kathy with favorable results. After receiving the video and reviewing the procedure approximately a month ago, we employed the method approximately every day for a week. (I employed the procedure at 36 weeks of pregnancy). Subsequently, during the next week on Kathy’s examination, she was near medical intervention (the doctors were planning on manual turning), the sonogram demonstrated that the baby was turned in the proper position.”
The baby delivered naturally with no trauma.
A chiropractors wife was referred to me by a midwife who was under the gun for time. She said that if she did not turn by Monday, she would have to go for a version. We saw her Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. She was clear on Monday. We from my office to the midwife who thought the baby had turned. Scheduled to check her the next day and indeed was down. One more version saved! We are now six for six. Dr. Kevin Ross of Tempe, AZ.
Scientific ramifications for providing prenatal chiropractic care.
- This paper claims that the Webster Technique has a high success rate of clinically
reducing or correcting in-
utero constraint.
Anrig, C. The American Chiropractor 1993; May/June 20-
Chiropractic management of third trimester in-
- The Webster Technique has been shown to reduce constraint to the mother’s uterus 82% of the time, allowing the baby to get into the vertex position for birth.
Forrester J. Can Chiropractor 1997; 2(3):8-
