How Prenatal Chiropractic Can Help with Breech Positioning
As an expecting mom, you’re doing everything you can to create a healthy, safe environment for your growing baby. But what happens when your baby is breech—positioned feet or bottom down instead of headfirst—as your due date approaches?
While breech positioning is fairly common in early pregnancy, most babies will turn head-down on their own by 34–36 weeks. However, in some cases, they don’t. That’s where prenatal chiropractic care, specifically the Webster Technique, can play a supportive and natural role.
Let’s explore how chiropractic care can help encourage optimal fetal positioning and give baby the best chance for a smoother, head-down delivery.
What Is Breech Positioning?
A breech baby is one whose head is not positioned down toward the birth canal. There are several types of breech presentation:
Frank breech: Baby’s bottom is down, with legs straight up in front of the body
Complete breech: Baby is sitting cross-legged
Footling breech: One or both feet are positioned to come out first
By the third trimester, a head-down (vertex) position is ideal for birth. Breech positioning can increase the likelihood of cesarean delivery, and some providers may not offer vaginal delivery options in these cases.
What Causes Breech Positioning?
There are a number of factors that may contribute to a baby not settling into a head-down position, including:
Uterine or pelvic misalignment
Tight or imbalanced ligaments and muscles
Low amniotic fluid
Previous pregnancies or uterine shape
Baby’s activity level or mobility restrictions
In many cases, pelvic misalignment can reduce the space available in the uterus, making it harder for baby to move freely.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care doesn’t manually turn the baby. Instead, it helps balance the pelvis, reduce uterine tension, and create the optimal environment for baby to move into the best position on their own.
The Webster Technique
This gentle, pregnancy-specific chiropractic technique focuses on:
Aligning the pelvis
Reducing tension in the ligaments and muscles that support the uterus (especially the round ligament)
Restoring balance in the surrounding soft tissues
By addressing these key areas, the Webster Technique allows more room for baby to settle into a head-down position, naturally and comfortably.
Is It Safe?
Yes. Prenatal chiropractic care, including the Webster Technique, is safe and gentle. Adjustments are done with special pregnancy pillows or tables designed to accommodate your growing belly. There’s no twisting or force involved—just light, targeted pressure to realign the body and restore function.
Many women find chiropractic care not only supports baby’s positioning but also relieves common pregnancy discomforts like back pain, sciatica, and pelvic pressure.
When Should You Start?
If your baby is breech at 30–34 weeks, that’s a great time to begin chiropractic care. Earlier care can help maintain optimal pelvic alignment throughout pregnancy, but even later in the third trimester, gentle adjustments can still support baby’s movement.
Chiropractic care can also complement other natural techniques like:
Pelvic tilts and prenatal yoga
Spinning Babies® exercises
Acupuncture or massage therapy
Always check with your provider before starting any new therapies during pregnancy.
Final Thoughts
A breech position can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re headed for a cesarean. Chiropractic care offers a safe, natural way to support your body’s balance and give your baby the space they need to turn head-down.
By reducing tension and optimizing pelvic alignment, prenatal chiropractic care can be a powerful part of your journey toward a more comfortable pregnancy and an empowered birth experience.