Prenatal Chiropractic & Webster Technique Explained
What the Webster Technique Actually Does During Pregnancy
Most people hear "prenatal chiropractic" and picture a pregnant woman getting a back crack. That's not really what's happening. The Webster Technique is something more specific, and once you understand it, it makes a lot of sense.
Here's the core idea. Your pelvis is made up of several bones and joints. During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxing loosens the ligaments that hold those joints together. That's useful, your body is making room for baby. But it also means things can shift out of balance more easily. When the pelvis isn't sitting level and symmetrical, the uterus can't hang the way it's supposed to. The round ligaments that support the uterus get uneven tension on them. And that matters more than most people realize.
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment. It looks at the sacrum, that triangular bone at the base of your spine, and checks how it's sitting. It also checks the tension in the round ligaments. When something's off, the adjustment works to restore balance to the sacrum and reduce tension in those ligaments. That's it. It's not forcing anything. It's not repositioning the baby directly.
The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association has been studying and teaching the Webster Technique for decades. Their research and training protocols are what certify chiropractors to perform it correctly. This is the type of skill set you want, not the person who "also does pregnant patients." If you're in Urbandale and the surrounding areas, whether it's from Waukee or over Hickman Rd., for many moms, that discomfort really starts in the third trimester, which is also the time that your OB or midwife will talk to you more about baby's position.
Getting started earlier on chiropractic allows for more of a reaction of your body. Even if you're not starting until later in pregnancy, the pelvis can move more readily when supported properly. It is simply good to get your nervous system firing and your pelvis aligned. Our body has an easier time when all parts of it are functioning and in a good position. prenatal chiropractic page If you'd like to know more about whether or not prenatal care is right for your pregnancy, please take a look at our prenatal chiropractic page which describes what a first visit and the process entails.
So why do so many pregnant women report their baby moving into a better position after Webster care? Because when the pelvis is balanced and the ligaments aren't pulling unevenly, the baby has more room to move on their own. The space opens up. The baby does what babies do naturally when they have the room to do it.
I've seen this play out many times. A mom comes in at 32 or 34 weeks, uncomfortable, babysitting transverse or breech. She's worried. We started working on her sacral alignment and ligament tension. A few sessions in, she called to say her midwife confirmed the baby flipped. We didn't flip the baby. We just gave the baby the environment to do it. That distinction matters.
Here's what Webster care actually addresses during pregnancy:
Sacral misalignment that puts uneven stress on the pelvis
Round ligament tension that restricts the uterus from sitting symmetrically
Lower back and hip discomfort that builds as the belly grows
Nerve irritation that can contribute to sciatica during pregnancy
And the adjustments themselves? Gentle. We're not doing the same thing we'd do on a football player with a disc problem. Pregnant women get modified positioning, special support so you're never lying flat on your belly, and the force used is light. Most moms are surprised by how comfortable it actually is.
Prenatal Chiropractic Care Is Considered Safe for Most Pregnancies
"It's safe, right?" is the first question many of my new, first-time mom patients ask. And, of course, it should be! But you might be surprised to know that prenatal chiropractic care, like the Webster Technique, is widely considered safe for low-risk pregnancies by major health organizations, including the American Pregnancy Association.
The answer is "yes," prenatal chiropractic is safe for most healthy pregnancies. But, we'll dig a bit deeper than that, so you can truly understand why here: https://levelsfamilychiropractic.com/prenatal-chiropractic
Prenatal chiropractic is not the same thing as a typical chiropractic adjustment. We change the techniques for pregnancy. We use special tables and positioning to there's no pressure to your belly. The pressure used to make your joints and spine move more freely is less in prenatal care compared to a typical adjustment for an adult. Also, we avoid certain positions or techniques that would be contraindicated for pregnancy. It goes without saying, I want you to know exactly what I'm about to do, especially in your first visit. No one likes to be surprised on an adjustment table!
Differences From a Typical Adjustment
When Your OB/Midwife Says It's Okay
Most of my patient's OB and midwife practices in the Urbandale area are familiar with prenatal chiropractic care. Many actually encourage their pregnant patients to seek care to help with pain from round ligament pain, hip pain, or back pain. It's always important to ask your provider first though and let them know your care plans. There are circumstances when a prenatal chiropractor shouldn't see a patient such as:
Placenta Previa or Abruptio Placentae
Vaginal Bleeding
Ectopic Pregnancy
Pregnancy where the doctor has advised against manipulation of the body
As long as this does not apply to you, your OB's word always comes first! Full stop. However, for most pregnancies, none of these issues are present, and care may proceed uneventfully.
What the Research Shows
In a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, chiropractic care in pregnancy was linked to shorter labors and greater comfort during the third trimester. Also, safety guidelines for prenatal adjustments have been published by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association.
Far from being marginal results, this research has accumulated over decades. For a broader look at the evidence, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health's information on chiropractic care provides a thorough overview of research and safety considerations.
I've treated pregnant women at each point in their pregnancies. In the early first trimester when they're already tired and sick. In the third trimester when back pain feels never-ending. In the postpartum period as their bodies heal and adjust. All periods have different needs, and the methods are modified.
I recall one mom who was 28 weeks long, primarily because her sister had recommended it. She suffered from hip pain that kept her from sleeping. After a handful of visits, she shared that she began to feel that her body was working with her rather than against her. Such comments aren't rare. They're pretty typical.
That's the key to remembering most. Such care isn't only concerned with addressing pain. It involves maintaining good pelvic balance and a healthy nervous system during one of the most physically demanding times in your life.
Are you pregnant and wondering if chiropractic care is a good fit for you? The best place to start is to speak with us. Our Levels Family Chiropractic prenatal care page reviews what to expect during your first visit and how we provide care in each trimester.
You don't have to just deal with discomfort. There's another option.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms Prenatal Chiropractic May Help to Ease
Pregnancy alters nearly all aspects of the way that your body moves and functions. Your center of gravity changes, your ligaments get loose, and your spine endures stress it has never experienced.
Many moms simply treat this discomfort as inevitable. But that doesn't have to be the entire picture.
Prenatal chiropractic addresses a good many of the physical complaints that make pregnancy more difficult than it has to be. Not by suppressing the symptoms, but by dealing with the tension and misalignment causing them.
The Symptoms We Treat Most Frequently
I want to talk about sciatica because so many women who come into our office in Urbandale do so because their symptoms have started. The most common time is in the second trimester when the sciatic nerve starts being compressed, and the pain is felt as a sharp pain, a burning sensation or a constant aching in the butt. Chiropractic care takes the pressure off the nerve with a gentler adjustment that doesn't involve the jarring twists some people hear about.
Every week, we see similar patients report the same issues. Often, these aren't random pains and aches, but the body's reactions to rapid physical shifts.
Lower back pain from the enlarging belly pulling the lumbar region forward
Pain in the round ligaments shooting down toward the groin or into the hips
Sciatic pain down the one or both legs that may extend into the foot
Pain of the pubic symphysis that renders ambulation challenging or impossible
Tightness in the upper back and ribs as they expand
Sleep and Nerve System
Here is something that does not come immediately to mind; poor sleep in a woman during pregnancy is not always about being uncomfortable in bed. Rather, it is about stress in the nervous system. When you are out of balance, your nervous system is in a lower level of response, making it harder to rest, rest deeply and recover from the fatigue.
Pregnancy chiropractic care helps to decrease this level of stress. We have patients who tell us that after their first few adjustments, they are able to sleep at night because their body no longer has so much to deal with.
Then there are headaches. Pregnant women have tension headaches very frequently. Some are reluctant to use medication during pregnancy, so that is good news for them. Adjustments to the neck and upper back can decrease the frequency and severity of the pain from tension. Again, it's not a guarantee, but we have many clients who find results.
That said, it goes beyond just feeling bad. It can impact sleep, your movement during the day and how you approach birth. Our Webster Technique care relieves some of that tension that builds up in the pelvis and other tissues to help better position the body at each stage of your pregnancy.
Round Ligament and Balance
You might also experience round ligament pain. It is very often very sudden and comes as a surprise to moms. You might be getting up to go to the restroom or rolling over in bed.
You experience a sharp pain as the ligaments that support the uterus are pulled. That can happen if your pelvis is out of balance.
What we see is where the Webster Technique works. This is an analysis that focuses on the sacrum and soft tissue around the pelvis to better balance of the pelvis.
A balanced pelvis gives the uterus more room. Ligaments aren't being pulled, and mom can get relief from the ligament pain.
As someone who is a parent myself, and a man who has watched his wife go through pregnancy, I know what it looks like to be going through these symptoms when you have to make it through the day. All these symptoms are common, and you really don't have to just live with them.
If you're experiencing any of the above, the next step is to learn more about what this type of care could do for you. Visit our prenatal care page at Levels Family Chiropractic to see how we help moms-to-be in the Des Moines area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Webster Technique safe during all three trimesters?
The Webster Technique is considered safe for most healthy, low-risk pregnancies in all three trimesters. Your chiropractor uses special positioning and lighter pressure so there is no stress on your belly. That said, certain conditions like placenta previa or vaginal bleeding mean chiropractic care is not appropriate. Always check with your OB or midwife first. Most providers in the Urbandale area are familiar with prenatal chiropractic and are happy to give you the green light.
How is a prenatal chiropractic adjustment different from a regular one?
A prenatal adjustment uses less force and different positioning than a standard adult adjustment. Special support cushions keep you comfortable and protect your belly — you are never asked to lie flat on your stomach. Certain techniques used on non-pregnant patients are avoided entirely during pregnancy. The goal is the same — better alignment and less tension — but the approach is gentler and adapted for your changing body at every stage.
What conditions would prevent someone from receiving prenatal chiropractic care?
A few specific conditions make prenatal chiropractic care inappropriate. These include placenta previa, placental abruption, ectopic pregnancy, vaginal bleeding, and any situation where your doctor has advised against physical manipulation. For most healthy pregnancies in Urbandale, none of these apply. Your OB or midwife has the final word. Once they give approval, care can usually move forward without any complications.
Does the Webster Technique actually flip a breech baby?
No — the Webster Technique does not directly move or reposition your baby. It balances your pelvis and reduces tension in the round ligaments. When those structures are balanced, your baby has more room to move on their own. Many moms report their baby shifted to a head-down position after a few sessions, but the baby made that move. The technique just created a better environment for it to happen naturally.
When in pregnancy should someone in Urbandale start Webster Technique care?
Starting earlier gives your body more time to respond, but it is never too late to begin. Many Urbandale moms start in the second trimester when hip and round ligament discomfort begins. Others come in during the third trimester when baby position becomes a bigger concern. Even a few sessions late in pregnancy can help your pelvis stay balanced and your nervous system working well. If you want to understand what a first visit looks like, our prenatal chiropractic page walks you through the full process.
Does prenatal chiropractic care only help with back pain, or does it do more?
Back pain is one reason many moms seek care, but it is not the only benefit. The Webster Technique also addresses sacral misalignment, round ligament tension, hip discomfort, and nerve irritation that can cause sciatica during pregnancy. Research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found chiropractic care in pregnancy was linked to shorter labor and greater comfort in the third trimester. It supports your whole body as it changes — not just your lower back.