chiro to flip breech baby?

mrsj2006 · October 2011

My baby's been breech since around 20 weeks, and seems quite happy that way. None of the exercises I've done seem to help at all. My latest ultrasound confirms he's not 'stuck', and he has room to turn. My OB has sent a lot of her patients to a chiropractor she knows who claims to have an 80% success rate at getting babies to flip. He just does some adjustment/massage, and it's apparently not painful and doesn't have the potential to hurt the baby (so nothing like a version procedure).

Definitely sounds worth trying, right? I have an appointment for next Tuesday, but my ILs are *freaking out* about this and want me to go straight to a scheduled C section. They think nobody but a doctor (FIL is a surgeon...) should intervene with my baby. They woke us up at 1am to mention this again on the phone. Argh. Although c-sections are 'safe and normal' (as my MIL put it..), I'd still much rather try to avoid one, especially if encouraging the baby to flip can be done at very low risk.

Just a vent, really, but anyone else tried a chiro for a breech baby?

soon2bjmn · October 2011

sbrowarny, there are as many bad MD's (and OB's) out there as there are DC's. OP, if you have a recommendation from your OB then my guess is that this DC is more than qualified to try and turn your baby and do it safely.

kourtneyp23 · October 2011

i work for a chiropractor, and get about two adjustments a week. it has truly saved my pregnancy. i go to chiropractic care before medicinal care any day. especially because it is only enabling your body to do what its supposed to...no fake hormones, surgeries, or interventions. if your doctor is recommending it, i say go for it! there will be no harm to the baby, or you, especially since it is a simple manipulation and not harsh at all. good luck!

soon2bjmn · October 2011

ok. Not true, but to each their own.

ChrissyDipi · October 2011

Going to a chiro to me sounds better than the other therapy that they do in the doctors office. My friend who had a breech baby had that aversion therapy or what ever it is called and they had to give her an epidural while two doctors stood over her and pushed the baby around and then nothing changed.

GL - do what you think is right ILs are crazy and need to mind their own business sometimes.

spedi · October 2011

I think it is called the Webster Method...google it. I looked into it, but LO flipped on his own after I scrubbed the kitchen floor on all fours

That was the cheaper plan for me!

PitaBread · October 2011

I've been seeing my chiro twice a week throughout the pregnancy and he has been a life saver. I still have zero pregnancy symptoms and I'm over 38 weeks now. No aches, no pains, and I sleep like a log. And, he's never tried to sell himself as a doctor, what a ridiculously stupid statement to make. He's preparing my body for natural childbirth, not one filled with medical interventions.

As spedi mentioned, look into a chiropractor that is trained in the Webster method. My baby's been head down since 32 weeks and isn't going anywhere at this point!

adamsps · October 2011

Definitely go to the chiro! They do not turn the baby. They don't do anything to the baby at all. They just help do some minor adjustments to your lower back and pelvis so the baby has room to turn on its own. It is not invasive at all. I had a transverse baby, and after a few chiro visits the baby flipped head down (that was at 35 weeks). I think people really misunderstand what chiropractors are actually doing! It's nothing like an external version (where an OB will try to manually turn a baby). Also, my chiropractor told me it's never taken more than 6 visits for a baby to turn, and she has a success rate of over 90%. Now I am sure many of those baby's may have turned anyway, but still...totally worth trying before opting for major surgery!!

FallFabulous · October 2011

I cannot comment on a breech baby. However. I still wanted to pass on my experience on pain management. I have been seeing my chiro for 3 years due to a C-shape scoliosis. At the time I started seeing him, my movements had become limited and I was unable to walk or sleep pain-free.

Now at 37 weeks, the added weight on my hip has been affecting me for the last 2+ months. Although my chiro's treatments have not been helping me sleep anymore, his adjustments have kept me quite comfortable during the day, which I am grateful for.

I would suggest that if you are going to see a chiro for a breech baby, go see someone that is recommended to you so that you feel more comfortable w/ the treatments, as chiro adjustments can be a bit awkward if you are not familiar w/ the procedures. Good luck.

shoestringmommy · October 2011

I started seeing a chiropractor once a week since 33 weeks. She has changed my life. There is a lot of research out there about the benefits of Chiropractics in pregnancy. They don't do anything to adjust the baby...they are adjusting you to accommodate the baby AND the make sure everything is in line for childbirth. Of course everyone has a Chiropractor horror story. Just do your research, find one you trust and that is trained in pregnancy. Good Luck!

aprsue · October 2011

We found out at 38 weeks that our baby is breech. I went to a chiropractor twice and had adjustments, as well as acupuncture and Webster. Unfortunately, it didn't work for us, but I've been told that the Webster technique is 80% effective. All they do is lightly stretch your round ligaments, using only their thumb and very light pressure. Sometimes the ligaments are too tight, which prevents the baby from having enough space to flip. I also had an external version with my OB on Wednesday...also not successful (our baby is apparently quite content being breech), but it was much more unpleasant than anything I experienced in the chiro's office. It's a personal decision, but we were really hoping to avoid a c-section and were willing to try anything to get her to flip. Best of luck with your decision!

mrsj2006 · October 2011

Thanks for all the advice, ladies! It is always great to hear more about what others have experienced. My OB has been sending patients to this chiro for over eight years, and thinks very highly of him. I checked and he is certified in the Webster technique, which makes me feel better too. The ILs will just have to deal.

Want a personalized experience?

chiro to flip breech baby?

Re: chiro to flip breech baby?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards