Finding out your baby is breech can bring up a lot of questions, especially if you're hoping for a vaginal delivery.
Maybe you're only 28 weeks and your baby still has plenty of time to move around, or maybe you're getting closer to your due date and starting to wonder what your options are.
First of all, don't panic! Babies move and change positions throughout pregnancy, and many naturally settle into a head-down position before birth.
As a prenatal chiropractor, one of the first things I encourage moms to think about when they find out their baby is breech is how their pelvis is moving and functioning.
At Lake Life Chiropractic, we love helping moms prepare their bodies for birth, and the Webster Technique is one of the tools we use throughout pregnancy.
Let's talk about why!
First, What Does It Mean When Baby Is Breech?
Most babies eventually settle into a head-down position as they prepare for birth.
A breech presentation means your baby is positioned with their bottom or feet pointing toward the birth canal instead of their head.
Earlier in pregnancy, this is completely normal. Babies are moving around, stretching, and changing positions all the time!
As you get closer to your due date, baby's position becomes a bigger part of the conversation.
By 36–37 weeks, most babies have settled into a head-down position. If your baby is still breech, your OB or midwife will likely start discussing your options.
And this is where I love talking about prenatal chiropractic care.
Why Your Pelvis Matters
Throughout pregnancy, your body goes through some pretty incredible changes.
Your center of gravity shifts, your posture changes, and the muscles and ligaments surrounding your pelvis are constantly adapting to accommodate your growing baby.
As a chiropractor, one of the things I'm particularly interested in is how well your pelvis is moving.
Are there restrictions through your sacrum or pelvic joints? Are certain muscles holding more tension than others? Are you experiencing discomfort or difficulty with certain movements?
These are all things we evaluate during your prenatal chiropractic appointments.
Your uterus is supported by ligaments and surrounded by structures that interact with your pelvis. From a chiropractic perspective, we want to support comfortable movement and address unnecessary musculoskeletal tension in these areas.
This is exactly why I'm such a big advocate for chiropractic care throughout pregnancy, not just when you're uncomfortable or nearing your due date!
Let's Talk About the Webster Technique
If you've been getting adjusted throughout your pregnancy, you've probably already heard us talk about the Webster Technique.
The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment focused on the sacrum, pelvis, and surrounding structures.
At Lake Life Chiropractic, we use this technique to identify and address joint restrictions and associated muscle tension.
When I'm working with a pregnant mom, I'm looking at how her pelvis is functioning and where I may be able to improve mobility and comfort through gentle, pregnancy-specific adjustments.
And here's an important distinction:
Webster Technique isn't a procedure where we physically turn a breech baby.
We're not pushing on your belly or manually moving your baby into a different position.
We're focusing on YOU and your pelvic function.
Although Webster Technique hasn't been proven to turn breech babies, addressing pelvic restrictions and discomfort can still be a valuable part of your overall pregnancy care.
What If You Just Found Out Baby Is Breech at 36 Weeks?
If you're 36 weeks pregnant and just found out your baby is breech, please let us know and get on our schedule as soon as possible!
Even if you've been getting adjusted regularly throughout your pregnancy, I want to know if your baby's position has changed or if your provider has expressed concerns about a breech presentation.
At 36 weeks, you're getting close to delivery, and this is a great time to be proactive about your birth preparation.
We'll evaluate how your pelvis is moving, address areas of restriction or discomfort, and talk about gentle movements you can incorporate at home.
Don't wait until 39 or 40 weeks to tell us your baby is breech. Let's talk about it now!
Chiropractic care isn't a replacement for medical evaluation or an external cephalic version (ECV), and adjustments can't guarantee that your baby will turn. That's why I also encourage you to contact your OB or midwife promptly to discuss your options.
What Else Can You Do? Let's Talk About Spinning Babies!
Along with chiropractic care, another resource I love sharing with pregnant moms is Spinning Babies.
Spinning Babies focuses on maternal positioning, movement, and techniques intended to support balance and comfort throughout pregnancy and labor.
You may have already heard of some of their exercises, especially if you've been looking into ways to encourage a breech baby to turn.
While these movements aren't guaranteed to change your baby's position, they can be useful tools to discuss with your birth team.
1. Forward-Leaning Inversion
This is one of the most recognizable Spinning Babies techniques.
It involves briefly positioning your body with your hips higher than your shoulders.
The idea is to encourage relaxation and movement through the tissues surrounding your pelvis and uterus.
Because this is an inverted position, I recommend learning the technique properly and checking with your OB or midwife before attempting it.
2. Side-Lying Release
This technique focuses on relaxing and stretching the muscles and connective tissues around the pelvis.
It's typically done with the help of a partner or someone trained in the technique.
As a chiropractor, I love incorporating conversations about muscular balance and mobility into prenatal care, which is why this is a technique I like moms to learn about.
3. Breech Tilt
The breech tilt is another popular positioning technique used by moms hoping to encourage their babies to move into a head-down position.
It involves elevating your hips while lying at an incline.
This is another exercise to discuss with your maternity provider before trying, as it isn't appropriate for every pregnancy.
4. Birth Ball Exercises
This is something I encourage many of my prenatal patients to incorporate into their regular routines!
Gentle hip circles, figure-eight movements, and pelvic rocking can be great ways to maintain mobility and ease lower back discomfort.
Even if these exercises don't change baby's position, they can help you feel more comfortable during the final weeks of pregnancy.
Want to explore these exercises?
Check out the Spinning Babies Breech Positioning Guide for more information.
What If Baby Doesn't Turn?
If your baby is still breech at 36 weeks, your OB or midwife may discuss something called an external cephalic version (ECV).
This is a medical procedure where a trained maternity provider uses their hands on your abdomen to attempt to turn baby into a head-down position.
It's often considered around 36–37 weeks, depending on your individual pregnancy.
Your provider can help you understand whether it's an option for you and discuss delivery planning if baby remains breech.
And remember, chiropractic care can still be part of your pregnancy routine while you're navigating these decisions.
We're here to support you, regardless of how your baby is positioned or how you ultimately deliver.
My Biggest Advice
If there's one thing I want you to take away from this blog, it's this:
Don't wait until the last minute to be proactive about your birth preparation.
If baby is breech, talk with your OB or midwife about your options and let us know at your next adjustment—or better yet, give us a call today.
If you're experiencing increased pelvic discomfort, lower back tension, or changes in how your body is moving, let's address those things now.
And even if baby is already head-down, keep prioritizing your chiropractic care, movement, and rest as you prepare for delivery.
At Lake Life Chiropractic, we love being part of your pregnancy journey, and those final weeks are such an exciting time.
Our goal is to help you feel comfortable, supported, and confident as you head into birth.
Baby Is Breech? Let's Get You In!
If you've recently found out your baby is breech, please reach out to our office rather than waiting for your next regularly scheduled appointment.
We'd love to evaluate your pelvic mobility, address any restrictions or discomfort, and help you incorporate appropriate movement into your birth preparation.
And if you're already scheduled for an adjustment this week, make sure to mention baby's position when you come in!
We can't wait to hear how these final weeks go and eventually meet your newest little family member!
A Quick Disclaimer
This blog shares our chiropractic perspective on prenatal care and is intended for general education. Webster Technique and Spinning Babies exercises have not been proven to turn breech babies and should not replace medical care. If your baby is breech at 36 weeks, contact your OB or midwife promptly to discuss your options, including whether an ECV is appropriate. Always check with your maternity provider before trying positioning exercises.