Amy's Testimonial
I wanted to take a moment to share about the wonderful help Dr. David gave me when I was pregnant with my fourth child last year. Towards the end of my pregnancy my midwife discovered that my baby was in the breech position. I was planning a home birth, so the breech presentation was especially problematic for me.
I tried to persuade the baby to turn using a variety of techniques but nothing worked. Then my midwife told me about the Webster Technique that some chiropractors have used to create a favorable environment to allow the baby to more easily turn to a head-down position. This technique is not intended to turn babies per se, but it can be used to align the pelvis and create a greater space for the baby to be able to turn head-down.
Thankfully, we found Dr. David, who was trained in the Webster Technique. He welcomed me to his office. I had also been experiencing the typical lower back pain that is often associated with pregnancy. Dr. David evaluated me and took time to educate me about chiropractic care in general, as well as my individual situation.
I came in for chiropractic adjustments, including the Webster Technique, twice a week for a number of weeks. I immediately felt relief from the discomfort I had been experiencing in my back and hips. I was even sleeping better! I told Dr. David that I wished I had been coming in for treatment throughout my pregnancy.
I continued to see Dr. David for the remainder of my pregnancy. Unfortunately, despite our efforts to turn the baby, I was in the low minority of women whose baby persistently remains breech, even despite employing methods to facilitate a change in the baby's position. But I do not see our efforts as futile. Far from it! My body felt wonderful at the end of my pregnancy, which is really saying something in a fourth pregnancy! My midwives were supportive, in my situation, to assisting me in going ahead with a home birth despite the breech presentation. While I would not advocate that every woman chose to attempt a breech home birth or a vaginal breech birth at all, for that matter, it seemed to make the most since in my situation.
I was convinced that even if my baby didn't turn, which she didn't, that continuing to receive treatment from Dr. David would help facilitate the safest and best birth possible by keeping my body aligned and creating the best pelvic structure possible.
On April 13, 2004, my baby girl, my fourth child and first daughter, was born at home. My labor lasted only 1 hour and 15 minutes total. My daughter was an incomplete footling breech, one of rarest forms, and yet she was born seamlessly, quickly, and without complications. After her birth, my daughter had some chiropractic needs due not to the breech birth, but to her persistently breech presentation previous to birth. Dr. David adjusted us both several times and provided ongoing assistance to us.
Being able to proceed with the birth I had desired and envisioned was such a gift to my daughter, my family, and me! I am so grateful to Dr. David for his compassion and expertise. I highly recommend that all pregnant women seek chiropractic care early and often in their pregnancies, breech or otherwise.
Amy M