You’re 32 weeks pregnant, lying on the exam table as your OB finishes your routine checkup. Then comes the news that stops your heart for a moment: “Your baby is in breech position.”
Suddenly, your birth plan feels like it’s unraveling. The natural delivery you’ve been preparing for is replaced with talks of “scheduled C-sections” and “external version attempts.” Your mind races through scenarios—the surgery you weren’t planning for, the extended recovery while caring for a newborn, the potential complications.
As you drive home, your hands grip the steering wheel a little tighter. You’ve heard stories from friends whose babies flipped on their own, but what if yours doesn’t? Google searches leave you overwhelmed with conflicting advice: inversions, ice packs, music, flashlights, and strange-sounding acupressure points.
If you’re a Madison mom-to-be facing this scenario, you’re not alone. Approximately 3-4% of babies are breech at full term, and many more are breech during the crucial weeks leading up to delivery. What many expectant mothers don’t realize is that there’s a gentle, non-invasive approach that addresses the root cause of why babies may not turn naturally—and it’s available right here in Middleton.
Table of Contents
Understanding Breech Positioning: Beyond Just Bad Luck
First, let’s clarify what “breech” actually means. A breech presentation occurs when your baby is positioned with their bottom or feet downward, rather than head-first (vertex position). There are several types of breech positions:
- Frank breech: Baby’s bottom is down with legs extended up toward the head
- Complete breech: Baby’s bottom is down with legs crossed
- Footling breech: One or both of the baby’s feet are positioned to deliver first
While sometimes described as random or “just one of those things,” breech positioning is often connected to biomechanical factors in the mother’s pelvis and uterus that can be addressed—something conventional obstetric care rarely focuses on.
Why Babies Go Breech: The Pelvic Connection
Your pelvis and uterus create the environment where your baby develops, moves, and ultimately positions for birth. When this environment is balanced and functioning optimally, babies typically find their way to the head-down position naturally around 28-32 weeks.
However, several factors can create imbalances that make it difficult for babies to turn:
- Pelvic misalignment: When your pelvis is misaligned, it can create uneven tension or torsion in the uterine ligaments
- Uterine constraint: Tightness in the ligaments and muscles supporting the uterus can restrict the baby’s movement
- Sacral dysfunction: Problems with the movement or position of your sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of your spine) can affect your baby’s ability to settle into an optimal position
- Round ligament tension: Tightness in these important uterine ligaments can create an asymmetrical uterine space
“I was told my pelvis was just shaped wrong for vaginal delivery,” shares Madison mom Jennifer. “But after learning how my body’s alignment actually affects my baby’s positioning, I realized the issue wasn’t my anatomy—it was function that could be improved.”
The Conventional Approach to Breech Babies
If your baby is breech after 36 weeks, conventional medical care typically offers three options:
- Wait and see: Some babies do turn on their own, even in the final weeks
- External Cephalic Version (ECV): A procedure where a doctor manually tries to turn the baby from the outside, which has a 58% success rate but can be uncomfortable and carries risks
- Scheduled C-section: Surgical delivery, which is the standard recommendation for full-term breech babies in most practices
What’s missing from this approach is addressing WHY your baby hasn’t turned—specifically, the biomechanical factors that may be preventing natural movement into the optimal position.
The Webster Technique: A Neurological and Biomechanical Approach
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment that addresses pelvic misalignment and nervous system function in pregnant women. Developed by Dr. Larry Webster in the 1980s, this gentle, non-invasive technique focuses on creating balance in the pelvis and reducing tension in the uterine environment—not on directly manipulating or “turning” the baby.
How the Webster Technique Works
Unlike external version, which attempts to forcefully turn the baby, the Webster Technique works with your body’s natural design:
- Sacral Assessment and Adjustment: Your chiropractor will check for misalignment or restricted movement in your sacrum and pelvis, then make gentle adjustments to restore proper alignment and motion.
- Round Ligament Release: Gentle pressure is applied to release tension in the round ligaments (which connect the uterus to the abdominal wall), reducing constraint in the uterine environment.
- Neurological Component: The adjustments improve communication between your brain and reproductive system via the nervous system, helping your body function more optimally during pregnancy.
- Creating Optimal Space: By addressing pelvic balance and ligament tension, the technique helps create more space in the pelvis and a more balanced uterine environment.
“The Webster Technique doesn’t ‘make’ babies turn,” explains Dr. Alexandria Quick of ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton. “Instead, it addresses the biomechanical causes of uterine constraint, allowing babies to move more freely and assume their optimal position naturally. That’s a significant distinction from more invasive approaches.”
What the Research Shows
While more research is always beneficial, existing studies and clinical reports on the Webster Technique show promising results:
- The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics published a study reporting an 82% success rate in resolving breech presentations when the Webster Technique was used.
- The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) maintains a database of case studies showing positive outcomes with the technique.
- Surveys of certified Webster practitioners consistently report high success rates when the technique is applied during the 8th month of pregnancy.
It’s important to note that the Webster Technique is not just for breech babies—it’s beneficial throughout pregnancy for creating optimal pelvic balance and nervous system function, which supports a more comfortable pregnancy and potentially easier labor regardless of your baby’s position.
How ADIO Chiropractic Approaches the Webster Technique
At ADIO Chiropractic in Middleton, our approach to the Webster Technique is comprehensive, personalized, and focused on supporting you throughout your pregnancy journey.
Our Certification and Expertise
Our doctors have completed extensive specialized training in prenatal care and are certified in the Webster Technique through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). This certification ensures we provide the technique with the precision, gentleness, and effectiveness it requires.
Beyond the technical certification, our team brings years of experience working with pregnant women facing all kinds of pregnancy challenges, from breech positioning to back pain to more complex pregnancy complications.
Your Webster Technique Assessment and Care Plan
When you come to ADIO Chiropractic for the Webster Technique, your experience includes:
- Comprehensive Consultation: We’ll take time to understand your pregnancy history, current concerns, and birth goals.
- Thorough Assessment: Using specific analysis, we’ll evaluate your pelvic alignment, sacral function, and round ligament tension to identify the biomechanical factors that may be affecting your baby’s positioning.
- Gentle Adjustments: The Webster Technique adjustments are extremely gentle and specifically adapted for pregnant women, with no twisting or forceful movements.
- Supportive Education: We’ll explain exactly what we’re doing and why, so you understand how the care supports your body and baby.
- Collaborative Approach: We work alongside your existing birth team, whether that includes OBs, midwives, or doulas, to provide complementary care that supports your birth goals.
“What impressed me most,” shares Verona mom Stephanie, “was how Dr. Eric explained everything. This wasn’t presented as some miracle cure, but as a way to help my body create the best possible environment for my baby to move naturally. That honest, educational approach made all the difference in my comfort level.”
Beyond the Adjustment: Our Family-Centered Support
Our care extends beyond in-office adjustments to include:
- Home recommendations: Simple, pregnancy-safe positions and movements that complement your in-office care
- Nutritional support: Basic guidance on nutrients that support ligament health and pelvic stability
- Birth preparation: Information on positions and approaches that leverage your improved pelvic balance during labor
- Postpartum planning: Preparing for continued care after birth to support your recovery and pelvic health
- Family wellness: Options for including your partner and other
children in care, creating a family wellness approach
The Benefits of the Webster Technique: Beyond Baby Positioning
While the Webster Technique is often sought specifically for breech presentation, its benefits extend far beyond baby positioning:
Physical Benefits for Mom
- Reduced back, hip, and pelvic pain: Many women experience significant pain relief from common pregnancy discomforts
- Improved mobility: Easier movement throughout your day
- Better sleep quality: Less discomfort often translates to better rest
- Reduced sciatica symptoms: Relief from the shooting nerve pain many pregnant women experience
- Improved bladder function: Less pressure and better control
- Easier breathing: Better pelvic and rib alignment can create more space for lung expansion
Labor and Delivery Advantages
- More efficient labor: A balanced pelvis allows for smoother progression through labor stages
- Potentially shorter labor times: Research suggests women under chiropractic care often experience shorter labors
- Optimal fetal positioning: Beyond just addressing breech, the technique promotes the best possible positioning (anterior position) for birth
- Reduced interventions: When your body and baby are working together efficiently, fewer medical interventions may be needed
- More comfortable delivery: A balanced pelvis can allow for more space for baby to descend
Whole-Body Benefits
- Improved nervous system function: Better communication between brain and body supports overall health
- Enhanced immune function: Proper nervous system function supports stronger immunity
- Better digestion: Less constipation and heartburn for many women
- Reduced stress response: Adjustments often help activate the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system
- Improved postpartum recovery: Starting birth with better pelvic balance can support faster healing afterward
“I came in specifically hoping to help my breech baby turn,” says Sun Prairie mom Michelle, “but I was amazed at how much better I felt overall. The back pain I’d been told was just ‘part of pregnancy’ disappeared, I could sleep again, and I felt more confident about labor. The fact that my baby turned was almost a bonus on top of all those other benefits.”
Sarah’s Story: From Scheduled C-Section to Natural Birth
Sarah, a first-time mom from Fitchburg, was 34 weeks pregnant when she discovered her baby was in frank breech position during a routine ultrasound.
“My doctor immediately started discussing a scheduled C-section,” Sarah recalls. “While I was willing to do whatever was safest for my baby, I had really hoped for a natural birth experience. I left the appointment feeling like my choices were being taken away.”
After researching her options, Sarah learned about the Webster Technique and scheduled an appointment at ADIO Chiropractic.
“I was honestly skeptical,” she admits. “But I was also desperate to try anything that might help avoid surgery. What surprised me was how thorough the initial assessment was. Dr. Alexandria didn’t promise my baby would turn, but she explained how pelvic misalignment and round ligament tension might be preventing my baby from finding the right position.”
Sarah began receiving the Webster Technique three times a week. Within two weeks, she noticed significant relief from the back pain she’d been experiencing. After her fourth adjustment, she felt what she describes as “a lot of movement” during the night.
“At my next OB appointment at 36 weeks, the ultrasound showed my baby had turned head-down! My doctor was surprised since she had already scheduled the C-section. She said sometimes babies do turn on their own, but I know the Webster Technique created the right environment for that to happen.”
Sarah continued with weekly chiropractic care until delivery and experienced what she describes as “a surprisingly smooth labor” at 39 weeks.
“I’m convinced that continuing the adjustments after my baby turned made a huge difference in my birth experience. My labor progressed steadily, and I felt like my body knew exactly what to do. My midwife even commented on how well-positioned my baby was for delivery.”
What stands out most to Sarah wasn’t just that her baby turned, but the empowered feeling the experience gave her.
“Finding ADIO Chiropractic changed my entire perspective on pregnancy and birth. Instead of feeling like things were happening to me that I couldn’t control, I learned how I could actively support my body and baby. That confidence has carried over into motherhood too.”
Taking the Next Step: When to Start the Webster Technique
If you’re pregnant in Madison, Middleton, or surrounding communities, you might be wondering when you should consider the Webster Technique.
Ideal Timing for the Webster Technique
While the technique can be beneficial at any point in pregnancy, here are some general guidelines:
- Preventative approach: Many women begin chiropractic care, including the Webster Technique, early in pregnancy (or even before conception) to maintain optimal pelvic balance throughout.
- For breech concerns: The ideal window for addressing breech positioning is between 28-36 weeks, when babies are naturally settling into their birth position but still have room to move.
- Late pregnancy: Even if you’re past 36 weeks with a breech baby, the Webster Technique can still be beneficial, though success rates for turning may be lower as space becomes more limited.
“The earlier we can address pelvic balance, the better,” advises Dr. Eric Kurzinski of ADIO Chiropractic. “But we’ve seen positive results even in the final weeks of pregnancy. It’s never too late to support your body’s optimal function.”
Your Consultation: What to Expect
We invite you to schedule a Prenatal Chiropractic Consultation at our Middleton office. During this thorough evaluation, we’ll:
- Listen to your specific pregnancy concerns and birth goals
- Perform a gentle, pregnancy-safe assessment
- Explain our findings in clear, understandable language
- Discuss whether the Webster Technique is appropriate for your situation
- Create a personalized care plan designed for your specific needs
- Answer all your questions without rush or pressure
Our office is designed to accommodate pregnant women comfortably, with special pillows and tables that adjust for your growing belly. We understand the urgency that can come with a breech presentation and make every effort to accommodate expecting mothers quickly.
Don’t wait until you’re facing limited options for your birth. Whether your baby is currently breech or you simply want to create the optimal environment for a comfortable pregnancy and natural birth, call ADIO Chiropractic at (608) 824-0950 or schedule online today.
Because your birth experience matters—and so does having choices about how you welcome your baby into the world.