Webster Technique for Breech Pregnancy: What Parents Should Know at 37 Weeks
Updated: Sep 30
Updated Sept 30, 2026
Learning that a baby is breech late in pregnancy can bring up questions about delivery and whether anything can help the baby move into a head-down position. The Webster Technique often comes up when parents search for information about breech pregnancy and chiropractic care.
A breech presentation means the baby’s buttocks or feet are positioned to be born first. A transverse lie means the baby is lying sideways. A maternity care provider can confirm the position and explain what it means for the pregnancy and delivery plan.
What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a chiropractic assessment and adjustment focused on the sacrum and pelvic region. It may also involve attention to soft tissue tension. The chiropractor works with the pregnant patient; the technique does not involve manually moving the baby.
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association’s description of the Webster Technique focuses on sacral and pelvic function. The organization has advised against describing it as a “breech turning” technique. That distinction helps patients understand the purpose of chiropractic care without mistaking it for an obstetric procedure.
A published case study at 37 weeks
A case report by Kristen Hosaka and Joel Alcantara describes a patient who sought chiropractic care at 37 weeks of pregnancy. The report says she had a breech fetal presentation and experienced lower back pain, hip pain, round ligament pain, and groin pain. An initial attempt at external cephalic version, or ECV, had not succeeded. ECV is a procedure in which a maternity care clinician attempts to move a baby into a head-down position by applying pressure to the pregnant patient’s abdomen.
The patient then received chiropractic care that included the Webster Technique. According to the published abstract, the chiropractor assessed and adjusted the sacral region and addressed soft tissue tension. After chiropractic care, the patient underwent a second ECV. The baby was then found to be in a head-down, or vertex, position. The report states that the patient later delivered vaginally at term and that no adverse effects were reported in this case.
This is a single case report, not a clinical trial. Because chiropractic care was followed by another ECV before the baby's position was confirmed, the report cannot determine whether the Webster Technique, the second ECV, another factor, or a combination of factors contributed to the change in fetal presentation.
What are the options if a baby is breech?
When a baby is breech late in pregnancy, the next step is a discussion with an obstetric provider or qualified maternity care professional. They can confirm the baby’s position, review the patient’s medical circumstances, and explain the available options.
For some patients, the provider may offer ECV. It is performed with appropriate medical assessment and monitoring, and it is not suitable for every pregnancy. If the baby remains breech, the care team can discuss a delivery plan based on the clinical situation, the patient’s preferences, and the experience of the available providers. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ guide to breech presentation explains ECV and other questions patients may have about delivery.
Can chiropractic care address pregnancy discomfort?
Some pregnant patients seek chiropractic care because of lower back, hip, or pelvic discomfort. A chiropractor can review the patient’s symptoms and health history, perform an appropriate musculoskeletal assessment, and explain a proposed care plan. The patient should tell the chiropractor about the pregnancy, any complications, and any advice or restrictions from their maternity care provider.
Individual experiences vary. Someone may report feeling more comfortable after care, but a change in discomfort should not be treated as evidence that the baby has changed position. Only the maternity care team can confirm fetal presentation through its clinical assessment.
If a baby is breech or transverse, it is especially useful for the patient’s providers to know about all care being received. Sharing that information helps keep discussions about symptom relief, ECV, and delivery planning clear.
Questions to ask before a chiropractic visit
Patients considering the Webster Technique can ask:
What symptoms or musculoskeletal findings are you proposing to treat?
What will the examination and adjustment involve at my stage of pregnancy?
How will you account for my medical history and obstetric provider’s advice?
What outcomes are reasonable to expect from care?
When should I contact my maternity care provider?
A chiropractor should be able to explain the purpose of care without promising that the baby will turn, that an ECV will succeed, or that a cesarean birth can be avoided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Webster Technique?
The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique focused on the sacral and pelvic region during pregnancy. It is performed on the pregnant patient and does not involve manually turning the baby.
Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?
Pregnant patients should consult their healthcare professionals before they begin chiropractic care. Some pregnant patients report less back or pelvic discomfort with chiropractic care; share your pregnancy history and any complications with the chiropractor.
How long does it take for chiropractic care to work for breech pregnancies?
Results can vary, but many patients experience improvements within a few sessions. Regular monitoring and communication with healthcare providers are important.
Can chiropractic care replace medical interventions for breech pregnancies?
Patients may use chiropractic care alongside appropriate medical care. It should not replace obstetric treatment. It is essential to work closely with healthcare providers to determine the best course of action.
What should I expect during my first chiropractic visit?
Your first visit usually begins with a review of your medical history. Next, the chiropractor may perform a physical examination. After the assessment, your chiropractor can discuss an appropriate care plan.
A Coordinated Approach at Cucci Chiropractic
A breech presentation late in pregnancy can raise important questions about fetal position and delivery. The Webster Technique is a chiropractic technique performed on the pregnant patient rather than a procedure that manually turns the baby.
If your baby is breech or transverse, speak with your obstetric provider or midwife about fetal position, ECV, and delivery planning. If you are also experiencing pregnancy-related back, hip, or pelvic discomfort, you can discuss supportive chiropractic care with your healthcare providers and with Cucci Chiropractic to determine whether it may be appropriate for your individual needs.
Schedule an appointment with us to discuss how our gentle, pregnancy-safe techniques can support you.
Sources
International Chiropractic Pediatric Association “About the Webster Technique.” Read the ICPA clinical guidelines definition.
Vertebral Subluxation Research. “Resolution of Transverse Lie Through Chiropractic Webster Technique and Midwifery Co-Management: Overcoming Anatomical Barriers in Breech Pregnancy.” Read the case report abstract.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. “If Your Baby Is Breech.” Read the ACOG patient fact sheet.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified obstetrician, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, or licensed midwife regarding fetal positioning tracking, External Cephalic Version (ECV) candidacy, amniotic fluid levels, preeclampsia symptoms, or labor and delivery planning.
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