Helping a baby 'turn' naturally while in-utero

I just had a unique and brand new experience after 25 years of practice. While at a water park, I saw an acquaintance that I hadn't seen in a while. She was obviously pregnant (swimsuits have a way of making that even more obvious than regular clothes) and she immediately said that she was happy to see me.

She had been thinking about coming in to see me at the office because she had heard from her sister in law that I could help 'turn' a baby who wasn't in the 'normal' presentation position while the baby was still in-utero.

I said that was true, and she even knew it was called the "Webster Technique". (Named after the founder of the technique and the ICPA (International Chiropractic Pediatric Assoc, Dr. Larry Webster). She then asked if I could help her right then and there as she was 2 days past her due date and the baby was in a 'posterior' position.

I said that I'd love to help her, but that she would have to lie face down, and I hadn't brought my adjustable table to the water park. Her husband then said, "How about using one of those inner tubes?" I said, "Well, why not?"

So, I had this 40 week pregnant mom lie down on the inner tube by a picnic table a little bit off to the side of the water park as the park was closing down. The Webster technique evaluates whether there is tension on the major ligaments that support the uterus: uterosacral, broad, and round ligaments.

In a very gentle and simple procedure there is light pressure applied to the sacrum and then to the opposite side on the abdomen addressing the different ligaments. Dr. Webster had over a 90% success rate with over 1000 pregnant moms. I personally have had the same rate but with only about 15 documented moms.

This is a far better approach than a medical procedure known as external cephalic version. The medical practitioner tries to turn the baby externally which can be very uncomfortable and can cause serious side effects.

To check out a Webster certified practitioner near you, go to www.icpa4kids.com. There is also an excellent article on the Webster technique in the ICPA's quaterly magazine Pathways new this month.

Tell your friends and others that there is an easy natural way to help a baby 'unwind' and go to the optimal position for birthing.

Dr. Bill

Are We Born to Be Healthy...or Sick?

A few of you know that I've been writing a book...for a while now. I'm enclosing a couple of chapters from the intro to the book to give you all a feel for it.

“Where do I turn for health?” is the major premise of this book. Are we looking for health ‘in all the wrong places’ and if so, what can we do about it? Are there non-medical and drug answers to some of the most common maladies on the planet, i.e. ear infections, headaches, digestive/respiratory/cardiovascular disorders, etc?

I have been a practicing wellness-oriented Chiropractor for over 25 years. I am also the father of six children and have specialized in family and pediatric chiropractic. I feel strongly about the need for a discussion on these vital subjects professionally and personally. I have seen the magic of healing from the body’s natural healing abilities and the sadness and horrors of placing too much trust in medicine and quick fixes.

Can we plan for health, or do we have to plan to avoid sickness? My hope is that these few pages can stimulate thinking and even better action to claim the health that is our birthright. This will be a review for some of you and for others a journey into new waters. This is a subject that matters. Your health and the health of your children and grandchildren depend on it!

Dr. Bill L.

Why should children receive chiropractic care?

Hello, I'm Dr. Bill Lawler. Some of you have never heard of pediatric chiropractic, some of you perhaps have heard of it, and others of you may already be practicing advocates of it.

Chiropractors are associated with taking care of 'bad' or painful backs. While that is true, the first adjustment ever given was to assist a man with hearing loss!

Therefore, we actually look at the spine as the 'gatekeeper' of nervous system interference. From birth trauma to the neck and head, to the zillions of falls that all children endure in learning how to walk, during play and in sports; their little spines are traumatized again and again.

As the little bones of the spine are prone to trauma, they can misalign and cause direct or indirect pressure to the nervous system. The adjustment of a little spine is gentle and particularly helpful during the developmental years.

That is why such conditions as: colic, ear infections, digestive issues, respiratory issues, chronic colds and decreased immune system function can often be improved by chiropractic adjustments and wellness care. Chiropractors have given millions of adjustments to children with amazing results.

The basic premise is that the body knows how to heal itself, if there is no interference to the nervous system, and the body is being treated in a wellness manner. Hence, the need for drugs, medicines, over the counter drugs can be greatly decreased if not totally done away with.

Check out the International Pediatric Chiropractic Assn. website at www.icpa4kids.com.