Breech Birth

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Peer Reviewed Publications:

The Webster Technique: A Chiropractic Technique with Obstetric Implications.
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002 Jul-Aug;25(6): E1-9

• 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.

Application of the Webster in-utero constraint technique: a case series.   Kunau, PL.   J of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics Vol 3 No. 1, 1998.

• 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. 

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, from 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.   Anrig, C.   The American Chiropractor 1993; May/June 20-3

• This paper claims that the Webster Technique has a high success rate of clinically reducing or correcting in-utero constraint.

Chiropractic management of third trimester in-utero constraint.   Forrester J.   Can Chiropractor 1997; 2(3):8-13 (Special Section)

• 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.

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