Can You Turn My Baby? Understanding the Webster Technique
It's one of the most common questions we get asked at Capital Chiro and the honest answer is NO, we can't turn your baby.
What we can do is assess your spinal and pelvic movement and discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you during pregnancy. The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic approach used during pregnancy, but it isn't a technique for physically turning a baby. It's an important distinction, and one we think you deserve a clear answer on.
So, what actually happens?
When a baby is breech or in a position other than head-down late in pregnancy, there can be several contributing factors. Chiropractic care does not physically reposition the baby, and there is not enough reliable evidence to say that the Webster Technique can turn a breech baby.
The Webster Technique involves a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment, with the aim of addressing aspects of pelvic and musculoskeletal function. Some practitioners use it during pregnancy, but its effects on baby positioning have not been established conclusively.
Our approach is to explain what the technique involves, discuss what is and isn't known about the evidence, and help you make an informed decision alongside your pregnancy care team.
What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique was developed by Dr Larry Webster, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), as a specific approach to chiropractic care during pregnancy.
Dr Winnie at Capital Chiro is Webster Certified through the ICPA, reflecting additional training in the technique and its application during pregnancy.
It's worth being upfront: research into the Webster Technique is still developing, particularly regarding breech presentation. We can't promise a particular result, and chiropractic care is not a substitute for guidance from your obstetrician or midwife, especially when decisions about a breech presentation need to be made later in pregnancy.
What does the research say?
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine followed 343 pregnant women receiving chiropractic care, which included the Webster Technique, spinal adjustments and other therapies.
Researchers measured participants' reported quality of life and satisfaction with their healthcare visits. Over the course of care, the study found improvements in some measures, including fatigue, pain interference and sleep disturbance.
These findings are interesting, but there are important limitations. The study was observational and included several forms of care, so it could not establish that the Webster Technique itself caused the changes. It also did not establish that the technique turns breech babies.
Research is an important part of understanding any healthcare approach. We believe it's just as important to explain what a study found as it is to acknowledge what it cannot tell us.
Why some women see a chiropractor throughout pregnancy, not just for a breech baby
A breech presentation may prompt someone to ask about the Webster Technique, but pregnancy can also bring changes in posture, movement and musculoskeletal comfort.
Some pregnant women explore chiropractic care to discuss concerns such as:
Lower back, hip or pelvic discomfort
Changes in posture and movement as pregnancy progresses
Musculoskeletal symptoms affecting everyday activities
Whether chiropractic care may be appropriate alongside their existing pregnancy care
Every pregnancy is different, and chiropractic care is not guaranteed to prevent discomfort, change a baby's position or influence how labour progresses. Pregnancy and birth are influenced by many factors, and decisions about care are best made with your GP, obstetrician or midwife.
When to involve your other care providers
If your baby is in a breech position in the later weeks of pregnancy, it's important to discuss this with your obstetrician or midwife. They can explain the options available for your individual circumstances, including external cephalic version (ECV), a procedure performed by a trained clinician to try to turn the baby to a head-down position.
Chiropractic care can be discussed as a complementary service where appropriate, but it should not delay or replace recommended maternity care. Your obstetrician or midwife can guide you on the timing and options for managing a breech presentation.
Pregnant and curious about the Webster Technique?
Whether you're interested in the Webster Technique or simply have questions about musculoskeletal comfort during pregnancy, we're happy to explain what chiropractic care involves, what the evidence says and where its limitations are.
At Capital Chiropractic Centre in Braddon, Canberra, our aim is to help you understand your options so you can make an informed decision that's right for you and your baby, with no pressure and no promises we can't keep.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Please discuss pregnancy-related concerns and decisions about your baby's position with your obstetrician or midwife.
References
Alcantara J, Nazarenko AL, Ohm J, Alcantara J. The Use of the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and the RAND VSQ9 to Measure the Quality of Life and Visit-Specific Satisfaction of Pregnant Patients Under Chiropractic Care Utilizing the Webster Technique. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2018;24(1):90–98.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Breech Presentation at the End of Your Pregnancy.