Controlling Back Pain With Chiropractic Care

Posted on: 22 July 2016

As the end of the third-trimester approaches, it can be stressful to learn that your baby is in a breech position, which could cause your doctor to recommend against a vaginal delivery. If you're nearing the end of your pregnancy and your baby is in a breech position, but you still hope to have a vaginal delivery, use the following tips to help your child turn in the womb.

Visit a Chiropractor

During pregnancy, it is not uncommon for the spine and pelvis to become misaligned due to the extra weight of the baby and how hormones can soften the ligaments when a woman is pregnant. Pelvic misalignment may play a role in a baby being breech, but chiropractic care can possibly help. If your baby is in a breech position towards the end of your pregnancy, it may be beneficial to visit a chiropractic physician who has been trained in the Webster Technique.

Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy do not hurt or cause pain, and they are typically considered safe when done by an experienced chiropractor who has advanced training in treating pregnant women and administering the Webster Technique to help a baby move into the optimal position for birth. If you're considering chiropractic care during pregnancy, always consult your obstetrician. 

Do Gentle Exercises at Home

There are several recommended exercises that a pregnant woman can do at home to help encourage her baby to turn inside the womb so he or she is in the best possible position for birth. One of the most common exercises is the breech tilt, which involves lying on your back with your pelvis raised above your head. Another position that may encourage your child to flip into the right position involves getting on all fours on the floor, with your buttocks raised higher than the rest of your body.

Try an External Cephalic Version

As your due date nears, your obstetrician may suggest trying an external cephalic version (ECV) to move you baby into the proper birthing position. This method can be uncomfortable for the mother, so it is not uncommon for it to be performed while you have an epidural. During an ECV, your doctor will try to manually manipulate your baby and push him or her into position while carefully monitoring the fetus to ensure that there is no stress. Depending on how far along you are, your doctor may suggest inducing labor if an ECV is successful so your baby doesn't turn back into the breech position before he or she is born.