Prenatal Chiropractic
Chiropractic care during pregnancy not only can help you to stay more comfortable, but can also help to facilitate your birth. Chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to significantly reduce the length of time a woman labors. First time moms averaged a 24% shorter labor, while mothers who have already given birth experienced a 39% reduction in the average labor length, compared to controls. Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy can also reduce the likelihood of experiencing back labor. Additionally, regular chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to reduce the C-section rate.
Regular chiropractic adjustments can safely continue up until the time of birth.
Chiropractic manipulation is safe for the pregnant woman and her baby and can be especially attractive to those who are trying to avoid medications in treating their pain. Due to the center of gravity changing and the added weight, pregnancy can cause lower back irritation and spinal irritation. Chiropractic care can help alleviate these symptoms.
Postnatal Chiropractic Care
New moms will find that chiropractic care after delivery can hep to correct abnormal curves and chronic conditions that are due to hormonal changes and lasticity of ligaments. As the hormones balance and the ligaments tighten, chiropractic care can help decrease pain and discomfort.
Also, with a new baby, some moms experience fatigue and pain in their upper back, neck and lower back from nursing and lifting. Dr. Waters can teach you proper or alternative positions and specific exercises that will help alieviate discomfort while core muscles return to their prenatal state.
Webster Breech Technique
The Webster Technique, developed by Dr. Larry Webster in 1978, founder of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), is a specific chiropractic adjustment for pregnant mothers. It is a chiropractic technique is designed to relieve the causes of intrauterine constraint. This technique has been highly successful in relieving intrauterine constraint and helping to convert breech presentations to cephalic presentation for more than 20 years.
What is intrauterine constraint? Intrauterine constraint is defined as any forces external to the developing fetus that obstructs the normal movement of the fetus. Intrauterine constraint can prevent the developing fetus from attaining a head down position.
Performance of the Webster Technique involves analysis of the relationship of the bones of the pelvis, and correction of aberrant biomechanics through the use of a light force chiropractic adjustment of the sacrum (Step 1). It also involves analysis and relief of specific abdominal muscle tension or spasm (Step 2). Both steps are intended to relieve the musculoskeletal causes of intrauterine constraint that may lead to cesarean section delivery.
Webster Technique Cont.
It is important to stress that the Webster Technique is not to be misconstrued as the practice of obstetrics. The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic technique intended to relieve a specific musculoskeletal condition, and is well within Dr. Water's scope of practice. At no time does Dr. Waters attempt to change the position of the fetus as is done in external cephalic version (ECV). Untrained individuals should not attempt the Webster Technique.
In addition, the Webster Technique should not be confused with other unproven or unsafe "chiropractic breech turning" techniques.
The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics reported in the July/August 2002 issue that 82% of doctors using the Webster Technique reported success. Further, the results from the study suggest that it may be beneficial to perform the Webster Technique in the 8th month of pregnancy
How is a breech presentation diagnosed?
A few weeks prior to the due date, a health care provider may place his/her hands on the mother's lower abdomen to locate the baby's head, back, and buttocks. If they think the baby is in a breech position, an ultrasound may be used to confirm. Special x-rays can also determine the baby's position and measure the pelvis to determine if a vaginal delivery of a breech baby may be attempted.
Can a breech presentation be changed?
The best time to try to turn a breech baby is between 32-37 weeks of pregnancy There are many different types of methods to use and all have different levels of success.
