Most doctors do not recommend nipple stimulation to induce labor, but some anecdotal evidence exists for its effectiveness. In this article, we consider the research on nipple stimulation and also look at the other home remedies that some people use to try to induce labor. After a woman gives birth, stimulation of the nipples by a breast-feeding baby triggers the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that triggers uterine contractions that help the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size.
As vaginal labor requires uterine contractions to move the baby down the birth canal, many women use nipple stimulation to try to encourage these contractions. In a survey of postpartum women in the Midwestern United States, 7.
A study in the journal PLoS One reports that 50 percent of women in Japan use nipple stimulation to help induce labor. Researchers have conducted several studies regarding nipple stimulation and its effectiveness in inducing labor.
These studies include the following:. Low-risk pregnancies are those in which the women have no additional health risks. These health risks include high blood pressure , gestational diabetes , low or high amniotic fluid amounts, or other risks that could complicate the pregnancy. The theory behind nipple stimulation is that it mimics breast-feeding and causes sensory cells in the nipples to signal the brain to release oxytocin. Some women use a breast pump to stimulate the nipples.
Some women also use nipple stimulation during labor to reduce its duration. This may make contractions feel particularly strong. There are many other natural methods that people use to try to induce labor. Some of these techniques include:. Most methods to induce labor are either ineffective or pose the risk of unwanted side effects.
Your breastfeeding journey. How to use a breast pump: 12 top tips Learning how to use a breast pump can take time and dedication, but is well worth the effort. Share this content. Her team at Medela designs educational materials, grounded in the latest research, that detail best practice for healthcare professionals and explain the amazing benefits of breast milk to mums worldwide.
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Breastfeed Med. Volume of milk obtained in relation to location and circumstances of expression in mothers of very low birth weight infants. J Hum Lact. Vittner D et al. Biol Res Nurs. Keith DR et al. The Effect of music-based listening interventions on the volume, fat content, and caloric content of breast milk—Produced by mothers of premature and critically ill infants.
Adv Neonatal Care. Comparison of the patterns of milk ejection during repeated breast expression sessions in women. Inductions for these purposes are performed by healthcare professionals and usually involve medication or medical procedures.
In some cases, such as a pregnancy that is past its due date but is not yet post-term, trying nonmedical ways to induce labor such as nipple stimulation may be recommended by the healthcare provider before doing a medical induction. There isn't a definitive answer as to whether nipple stimulation is effective for inducing labor. There aren't a lot of studies on the subject, and the ones that do exist have low sample sizes, are not extensive, and are out of date.
It is also difficult to measure the effectiveness of natural induction methods because they are performed when a person is full-term and they may have given birth whether or not they had tried to start labor using these methods. A study found that nipple stimulation appeared to shorten the length of labor and decrease the instances of cesarean sections.
The study involved pregnant participants and divided the participants into three groups:. Despite inconclusive evidence, many healthcare providers recommend it as an option for their clients who are full-term. Ninety-two percent of the respondents named labor augmentation as their reason for suggesting nipple stimulation. Most healthcare providers agree that nipple stimulation only has the potential to be effective if the pregnant person's body is ready to give birth.
Indications of this include:. During a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, nipple stimulation is unlikely to cause premature labor or miscarriage. In fact, many people choose to breastfeed another child while pregnant.
While oxytocin is released with breast stimulation, in an uncomplicated pregnancy, the uterus only becomes sensitive to it when close to labor. Breast or nipple stimulation is not advised during pregnancy if:. Using nipple stimulation to try to induce labor in a full-term, healthy pregnancy is generally considered safe. There is, however, a possible risk of uterine hyperstimulation when contractions come too close together , which could cause fetal distress.
This risk is low with nipple stimulation and seen more often in medical inductions, but because of the potential for fetal distress, many experts recommend doing nipple stimulation under the supervision of a healthcare provider who can monitor the baby and parent. Before trying nipple stimulation to induce labor, make sure:.
No studies have been performed on the safety or efficacy of nipple stimulation to induce labor in people with high-risk pregnancies. Always check with a healthcare provider before trying any method of labor induction. Call your healthcare provider or go to the hospital if you experience any of the following either before, during, or after trying natural induction methods:. There are a few different ways to do nipple stimulation with the intent of labor induction.
The goal is to mimic a nursing baby. This technique is similar to hand-expressing breast milk when breastfeeding. Similar to manual nipple stimulation, a breast pump mimics a nursing baby and can help with the release of oxytocin. Pumping may extract colostrum from the breast—this is not a concern. There is no universally agreed-upon pattern for nipple stimulation, but one pattern that is recommended for either manual stimulation or pumping is:.
While it doesn't mimic a suckling baby, erotic nipple play licking, sucking, fondling, etc. It's also a nice way to connect with your partner. Instead of mimicking a nursing baby, you can try really breastfeeding. This is usually done by parents who are already nursing another child. The jury is still out on whether nipple stimulation is an effective way to induce labor. While some suggest there may be some benefits to nipple stimulation, the studies are sparse and include small sample sizes, outdated information, and other issues that make it difficult to make concrete conclusions.
In short, nipple stimulation may or may not help, but it probably won't hurt in low-risk, full-term pregnancies. Before trying nipple stimulation—or any form of natural or at-home labor induction methods—consult with a healthcare professional. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Demirel G, Guler H. The effect of uterine and nipple stimulation on induction with oxytocin and the labor process: uterine and nipple stimulation. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing.
Hormone Health Network. What is oxytocin? Updated November Johns Hopkins Medical.
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