Webster Technique for Pregnancy: Gentle Chiropractic Care for Mums-to-Be

January 15, 2025
David Diehm
Women's Health

Webster Technique for Pregnancy: Gentle, Trusted Chiropractic Care

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey—but let’s be honest, it can come with its fair share of discomfort. More than 50% of expectant mothers experience low back pain, especially around the pelvis and sacroiliac joints, as their body changes to support a growing baby. Thankfully, there’s a safe, drug-free option to help: the Webster Technique for pregnancy.

At Family Life Chiropractic, we support mums-to-be with gentle, professional chiropractic care. One of the most effective methods we use is the Webster Technique, a pregnancy-specific chiropractic adjustment designed to improve pelvic alignment, ease tension, and support a more comfortable pregnancy and birth.

What Is the Webster Technique?

The Webster Technique is a gentle, pregnancy-specific chiropractic method that focuses on restoring balance and alignment to the sacrum, pelvis, and surrounding soft tissues. It uses a specific analysis and adjustment protocol to address dysfunction in the sacroiliac joints and reduce tension in the muscles and ligaments that support the uterus.

During pregnancy, physical and hormonal changes can create imbalances in the pelvis, which may lead to discomfort and restrict the natural space available for your baby. The Webster Technique aims to reduce intrauterine constraint—helping to ease tension in the round ligaments, uterosacral ligaments, and pelvic floor.

Rather than manipulating fetal position, this approach supports the body’s natural ability to maintain alignment and balance, which may in turn allow the baby to move freely and find its own best position for birth. This creates a more spacious, relaxed environment for both mother and baby by addressing what may be restricting the baby’s movement.

Why Is Pelvic Alignment Important in Pregnancy?

As your belly expands during pregnancy, your posture and centre of gravity shift. The lumbar spine curves more deeply, and increased pressure is placed on the pelvis, sacrum, and supporting ligaments. At the same time, your body produces relaxin, a hormone that loosens ligaments in preparation for birth—making joints more mobile, but also more prone to instability.

A misaligned pelvis can create uneven tension on the uterus and reduce space for the baby to move freely. In some cases, this may contribute to discomfort or difficulty during labour. That’s where the Webster Technique comes in.

Is the Webster Technique Safe During Pregnancy?

The Webster Technique is considered a safe, gentle, and pregnancy-specific chiropractic approach. At our clinic, we use specially designed equipment—such as a belly pillow—to keep you comfortable and supported while lying face down during your adjustment.

Each session is carefully tailored to your trimester, body changes, and personal comfort level. Many expectant mothers report that consistent chiropractic care during pregnancy helps relieve pain, improve sleep, and support easier movement as their body adapts to the changes of pregnancy.

chiropractic webster technique in pregnant mothers

When Should You Start Chiropractic Care in Pregnancy?

Chiropractic care can be started at any stage of pregnancy, but generally, the earlier you begin, the easier it is to make and maintain positive changes to your spine and pelvic alignment. Optimal alignment before the noticeable effects of a growing baby are felt is preferred.

Many women find it beneficial to start care early in the second trimester, around 20 weeks onward, as this is when posture and weight-bearing shifts become more pronounced. The Webster Technique can be especially helpful from this point, as round ligament pain and pelvic misalignment tend to increase during this time.

Webster Technique and Breech Babies: Can It Help?

The Webster Technique is widely recognized as a gentle, safe chiropractic method aimed at improving pelvic alignment and reducing tension in the ligaments supporting the uterus. While the technique itself does not directly turn breech babies, it can play a crucial role in creating a more balanced and spacious environment in the pelvis.

By helping to reduce intrauterine constraint—the tension or misalignment that may restrict the baby’s movement—the Webster Technique may allow your baby more freedom to naturally move into the optimal head-down position.

Many practitioners also combine the Webster Technique with Spinning Babies® exercises and strategies, which focus on gentle movements and positions designed to encourage optimal fetal positioning. Together, these approaches support the body’s natural ability to prepare for birth by:

Improving pelvic balance
Reducing muscular and ligament tension
Creating more space in the uterus
Supporting maternal comfort and alignment

If you’re facing a breech presentation, consulting with a Webster-certified chiropractor experienced in Spinning Babies® techniques can provide a holistic, non-invasive approach to supporting your baby’s natural turning process.

Your Trusted Webster-Certified Chiropractor in Newcastle

At Family Life Chiropractic, we are deeply passionate about helping families thrive through every stage of life—including the incredible journey of pregnancy. With over two decades of experience in pregnancy care, our chiropractor is fully Webster Technique certified and highly skilled in providing gentle, effective chiropractic support tailored specifically for expectant mothers.

We understand the unique challenges that pregnancy can bring, and our goal is to help you experience a more comfortable, balanced, and supported pregnancy. To complement chiropractic care, we also work closely with an experienced prenatal massage therapist who can assist in relieving muscle tension, improving circulation, and enhancing overall well-being throughout your pregnancy.

If you’re ready to begin your journey toward better pelvic alignment and pregnancy comfort, we invite you to book online to schedule an initial consultation. During this visit, the Webster Technique will be used as part of your assessment and treatment. Let us partner with you to support a healthier, happier pregnancy.