Morning sickness, nausea, fatigue and all those food cravings…
If you’re pregnant, you don’t want to add a misaligned pelvis, curved spine or a protruding abdomen to your list of symptoms. Towards the end of the third trimester, there’s no longer a lot of space for the baby in the uterus. And these physiological changes can make it difficult for pregnant women and their baby.
While there are several benefits to seeing a chiropractor at any point during pregnancy, a misaligned pelvis could lead to a breech presentation. Most babies will make use of their limited space by positioning head down the uterus. But if the baby is positioned to come out with his bottom or feet first, the baby is breech. With the help of a chiropractor, the baby can maximize their space inside the uterus.
By the beginning of the third trimester, a practitioner may be able to indicate what position the baby is in. According to BabyCenter, approximately 25 per cent of babies are breech at this time. The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine also states that approximately 5 per cent of all pregnancies will be in breech position. But most babies will be able to turn their heads down on their own. If the baby is still in a breech position by 37 weeks, the baby is more likely to remain that way.
When this happens, chiropractors will use what is called the Webster Technique, a chiropractic analysis discovered by Dr. Larry Webster, who also founded the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). This technique encourages proper alignment of the pelvis and restores its function and motion. This allows the babies to turn to the head down position on their own. Having the baby’s head down encourages a more natural delivery, avoiding the possibility of having a c-section.
The Webster Technique is sometimes referred to as “the baby turning technique.” Unfortunately, the name is a misconception itself. The chiropractors, in fact, do not turn babies. Restoring alignment to the pelvis allows more room in the uterus for the baby to move and turn.
This technique is specifically used to regulate pelvic subluxations during pregnancy and reduce intrauterine constraint by relaxing the tight ligaments around the uterus. The Webster Technique can also help reduce symptoms such as back or sciatic pain, pain in the rib cage, headache, heartburn or swelling. The Webster Technique is gentle and painless for both the mother and the baby. Mothers deserve to have as much comfort and safety during pregnancy as they possibly can. With the help from your chiropractor, he or she can help ensure that your nervous system is functioning properly for a more smooth and natural delivery.
Please call us at 416-792-2599 to learn more about the Webster Technique and turning your breech baby at Back2Life Chiropractic in Toronto.
-Nicolette Mendoza
Sources
http://www.canadianchiropractor.ca/techniques/technique-toolbox-1460
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3730293/
http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/chiropractic-care-during-pregnancy/