If you read this blog introducing The Webster Technique and the pieces of the puzzle that lead to a malpositioned fetus, now you’re probably wondering ‘Why should I see a chiropractor when my baby is breech?’.
When I get the call from a pregnant person telling me that their baby is breech, I automatically start thinking about the function of the low back, pelvis and the sacrum. As a chiropractor I am able to address poor biomechanics of a joint. Typically, a joint that has less motion (hypomobility) will get an adjustment while one that has increased motion (hypermobility) needs to be stabilized and an adjustment is the last thing it needs. But, the nature of pregnancy makes it harder to stabilize a joint because of all of that glorious hormone Relaxin.
Due to the effect of Relaxin on the ligaments, we can’t rely on them to stabilize almost any joint in the body, so now we need to use the muscles to our advantage and that’s when we will either address muscles that aren’t as strong as we need them to be and ones that have gone into spasm. A few weeks ago I talked about The Big Three muscles that are in spasm during pregnancy. Those muscles (the psoas, erector spinae and piriformis) are some key players when it comes to a breech presentation and I always address them through soft tissue mobilization. But remember how I was talking about muscles that are too weak? We need to check out the function of the gluteal muscles (I would be willing to bet they are weak, even in professional athletes) and the diaphragm (because no one is breathing like they are supposed to, especially in pregnancy).
Now, The Webster Technique is so much more than muscles and joints though and looks to address the spasm (for lack of a better word) in the ligaments of the uterus.
So, how does a pregnant patient wind up with a breech baby? It can be based on so many different factors. Sometimes it is from previous pregnancies to trauma induced to seemingly no reason at all. I have seen patients who have had abdominal surgeries in the past where there is so much scar tissue in the area that we need to break that up. In this case, the problem is that scar tissue binds up soft tissues, like muscles and ligaments, and doesn’t allow them to move freely. Once we can get these soft tissues moving more easily we can hope that will help the uterus to be able to free flow in space and allow the baby to go head down.
Exercise is important all of the time, but especially during pregnancy. However I will say that the patients I see who exercise more rigorously during their pregnancy, I have noticed have a harder time with breech babies. Because these patients exercise, some muscles can be in spasm, the ones I am typically concerned with for a breech baby are the hamstrings, psoas and piriformis. Those muscles all have an effect on the pelvis and low back. I have always been taught it is best to strengthen an antagonist muscle instead of trying to stretch out the problem muscle. So make sure when you are exercising that you are working all of your muscles and not just a certain group of muscles. I’m a chiropractor and aLL ABouT BaLaNcE. When I have these kinds of patients, I suggest backing off their routine, just slightly or modifying their regimen.
If you think you may need some help modifying your workout regimen or other support during your pregnancy, please reach out. I’ll be happy to help or will point you in the right direction of someone I trust. My number is (210) 323-2163.
