Midwives Advocate Chiropractic Care
Jeanne Ohm, DCI have never known the
Webster Technique not
to work in supporting a
breech baby to turn
After a recent ICPA E-Newsletter
went out discussing the Webster
technique, I received an e-mail
from Ann Sommers, a midwife in
Southern California. Her comments
were supportive and enthusiastic
about her experiences with Doctors
of Chiropractic in her 11 years as
a midwife and doula. She always
has and continues to recommend
chiropractic care as part of her
clients’ prenatal care.
About the Technique, she had this
to say: “I have never known the
Webster Technique not to work in
supporting a breech baby to turn
except for one case where there
was placenta previa. I have, however,
known of the external version not
to work!”
I have been recommending the
Webster Technique for close to
11 years. During that time I have
encountered many breeches and
have only experienced 3 breech
deliveries. One woman did not
choose to do the Webster Technique
and had her baby by c-section.
Another was a last minute client
whose doctor said her baby was
vertex (not) and refused to do
an ultrasound to confirm it. She
delivered breech in a hospital.
Another client of mine had a baby
that was vertex until the last week—
her baby did a surprise turn.
In following up with a phone conversation,
Ann and I were able to
discuss the numerous reasons why
chiropractic care in pregnancy allows
for safer and easier deliveries for
both the mother and baby. Her
referrals over the years to Doctors of
Chiropractic always left her midwifery
clients feeling well taken care of and
appreciative of her recommendations.
The Doctors of Chiropractic further
supported the midwifery philosophy
for natural birthing. Those mutual
clients approached their births with
a greater sense of confidence and
trust in their body’s ability to function
normally. This on-going support
from both practitioners is an incredible
asset to the pregnant mother
throughout pregnancy and in birth.
Find practitioners who support
the natural process of birth. Make
regular chiropractic care a part
of your prenatal choices as well.
Birth is an amazing experience
and how you prepare throughout
pregnancy along with who you
work with will in fact lead to a
more fulfilling birth experience.
Anne Sommers, L.M. has been directly
involved in midwifery since 1986,
when she began her apprenticeship. In
1996 she completed Seattle Midwifery
School’s Challenge Process, and the
NARM exam (supervised by the
California Medical Board) qualifying
her for midwifery licensure. She is the
mother of two children, born at home,
with the attendance of midwives.
Anne’s philosophy is one of non-interference
and informed choice with the
natural process of birth. She spends
time at her prenatal visits addressing
questions and educating her clients
on all aspects of birth, and believes
that the mother is in control. She can
be visited at: www.dear-midwife.com testimonial 22 summer 2004
Just wanted to let you know that
your website helped me to learn a
bit more about pediatric chiropractors
and that a lot of kids do need it.
I had my doubts about it, although
I’ve seen a chiropractor for several
years myself.
I believe in chiropractic care being
better for myself, because of my
apprehension towards taking chemicals
and medications into my body.
Your information has been a great
resource and I’ve bookmarked it
so I can find it again easily and refer
friends to it.
Anyway, just wanted you to know
that I took my 3 year old into my
doctor, and he did find that she
needed some adjustments in her
neck and slightly through her lower
back. Prior to this, she had suddenly
ended up in the hospital one day
last month with a breathing/wheezing
problem. The regular pediatricians
couldn’t figure out what created the
problem, they only wanted to treat
the symptom. My chiropractor was
adjusting me when I told him about
my daughter, and he asked if she
had any trauma to her body recently
that could have jarred things around
in her body. Since she has taken
a few falls from her play horse she
got at Christmas, we tried an adjustment.
So far she’s improved enough
that I’ve been able to nearly
eliminate the prescribed albuterol
treatments unless it gets really bad.
My other daughter, who is 11 and
weighs about 85 pounds, rides
horses and has taken a couple of
falls from her horse while jumping.
She doesn’t complain about any
pain, but since she was with us
and I remembered an article about
school books/backpacks on your
website, I had my chiropractor
check her as well. She needed and
had adjustments all over her body—
some were quite large “releases”
which surprised us all. I think
between carrying a 40 pound backpack
for school, and her riding,
her whole neck and shoulder area
suffered, as well as the top part
of her hip. I’m so glad we had her
checked out. She says she felt so
much better after, she never realized
how bad it was. Therefore, your
article that offers info about the
school kids who haul astronomically
sized backpacks and huge books
around was helpful to start care.
My daughter continues to carry
the heavy backpack, but now I
know I will be taking her in for a
regular check up with our Doctor
of Chiropractic to get a quick adjustment.
I plan to use your information
to send to the school for posting in
our school’s newsletter.
Thanks again for putting your site
out there.
