The
Webster Technique:
A technique for pregnant women
You have seen the Webster Technique -- that chiropractic
technique to help pregnant mothers with breech babies --
featured on The Learning Channel's hit series "A Baby Story." You
have read about it in Mothering magazine and Midwifery Today.
You have seen it on the Internet. You have heard it talked
about by birthing professionals. Perhaps potential patients
have asked you about it. But what is it?
The Webster Technique,
discovered by Dr. Larry Webster, founder of the International
Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), is a specific
chiropractic adjustment for pregnant mothers. It is a chiropractic
technique designed to relieve the causes of intrauterine
constraint.
Formerly known as Webster's "In-Utero Constraint Technique" or "Webster's
Breech Turning Technique," the Webster Technique was developed
by Dr. Webster in 1978. For over 20 years, it has been highly
successful in relieving intrauterine constraint and allowing
babies to get into the best possible position for birth.
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
vertex position and achieving a vaginal birth, resulting
in cesarean section delivery. Today, nearly 13% of all cesarean
deliveries performed are due to breech presentation.
In 1985,
the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed 15% as the highest
acceptable limit for cesarean section rates. This figure
was based on the cesarean section rates of countries with
the lowest perinatal mortality rates in the world. In 1991,
the figure was adopted as a goal for the year 2000 by the
United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Currently,
approximately 4.6 % of all singleton pregnancies develop
into breech presentation and the incidence of perinatal mortality
with breech presentation is approximately four times that
of a vertex presentation. While many infants in breech presentation
before 34 weeks will convert spontaneously to a cephalic
presentation, few will do so afterward.
Decreasing the number
of caesareans for breech presentation has been offered as
a strategy to reach the Healthy People 2000 goal of 15% cesarean
section rate. The importance of preventing intrauterine constraint
and subsequent cesarean section delivery is apparent, considering
in the United States approximately 22% of all births were
cesarean section deliveries. In Canada the incidence of cesarean
section ranges from 15%-22%, depending on the province. The
Webster Technique is a chiropractic means of decreasing the
number of caesareans for breech presentation.
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.
It is important to stress at this time 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 the chiropractor's scope of
practice. At no time does the chiropractor 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
ICPA, founded by Dr. Webster, maintains the only database
of chiropractors certified in the proper performance of the
Webster Technique. In addition, the ICPA currently offers
the only courses to certify chiropractors in the proper performance
of it.
Growing awareness of the Webster Technique is demonstrating
the increased demand for doctors of chiropractic trained
to perform it. Because of its ability to facilitate easier,
safer deliveries for both mother and baby, many birth care
providers are actively seeking doctors of chiropractic with
the skills in this technique. Daily, the ICPA receives many
requests for referrals.
If you would like to find a Webster
Technique certification seminar in your area, or be referred
to a chiropractor trained in the Webster Technique, please
visit the ICPA website at www.icpa4kids.org or
call 610-565-2360.