BREECH PRESENTATION

We are not obstetricians and we do not 'turn babies'. That said, if your baby is in a breech position, we may be able to help. Obstetricians and midwives from all over Los Angeles and the surrounding areas regularly refer their breech clients to us for help.  In fact, Dr. Berlin and his team help as many as 250 breech babies naturally slide into the proper pre-birth position and avoid unwanted cesarean sections.

We utilize the Webster Technique in conjunction with Dr. Berlin's Uterine Release Technique, Acupuncture and Moxabustion.  These techniques are gentle and typically very comfortable and do not attempt to force the baby to turn.  Rather, we work to normalize the pelvic muscles and bones, in order to alleviate tension from the lower part of the uterus and allow the baby to settle naturally into the proper pre-birth position.  The maneuvers are also used to try to create as much functional pelvic space and relaxation as possible, in order to optimize labor and delivery and reduce the need for induction and other medical intervention.

A panel discussion took place last night (6/1/2011) which I hope will be the beginning of an important discussion on the current status of breech delivery in the United States.  The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that all breech babies be born by planned cesarean, and as a result the option for vaginal breech delivery has become nearly non-existent over the past decade.  Over the next few months I will provide resources and commentary on the events that have led up to the status quo and discuss if and why it should change.  I strongly encourage others to join in the discussion including obstetricians, midwives, other birth related professionals, researchers, moms and mom-to-be etc.  

My first posting on this topic is going to be the research study that sparked massive change just over 10 years ago.  Read it.  Digest it.  Stay tuned for a deeper analysis over the coming days.