With this series (Nipple Stimulation), Gina and I both believe that a “natural” induction, is still an induction in a way. You are still using interventions to start labor before you may be ready.
There are risks and benefits to everything we do in life, and for one person it may be worth taking the risk for the benefit while another person it’s not worth it.
We always recommend discussing options with your provider and doing your own research before using any of the induction methods we discuss in this series.
Read our Week 1 Blog: Castor Oil here
Read our Week 2 Blog: Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) here
Read our Week 3 Blog: Acupuncture/Acupressure here
Read our Week 4 Blog: Sex and Orgasm here
Read our Week 5 Blog: Membrane Stripping here
What is it?
Nipple Stimulation is any sort of stimulation of the breast and/or nipple with either massage, pump, or even breastfeeding. Can be done alone, or during intercourse!
I did it during a long bath to help with relaxation with my first pregnancy.
Will it induce labor based on research?
Based on research there does seem to be a benefit to nipple stimulation on labor induction compared to doing nothing. Those that did nipple/breast stimulation were:
- More likely to go into labor within the next 3 days of starting versus those who did nothing in one study.
- Increased cervical ripening (Bishop score)
It did not increase the risk of outcomes of fetal distress, meconium in fluid, or c-section. In one study even found a decreased risk of postpartum hemorrhage.
How does it work?
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There are receptors on our nipples that tell our brain to release the hormone oxytocin. This is known because when a baby breastfeeds, the stimulation causes oxytocin to be released for the milk ejection reflex to occur.
Oxytocin is also one of the two hormones involved in the positive feedback loop that starts and sustains labor. Oxytocin stimulates contractions of the uterus. Therefore, If we can increase the amount of oxytocin in the body, it is believed this can help start contractions that will cause labor progression.
This method could maybe lead to hyperstimulation of the uterus, which could lead to contractions that are too close together or last too long, which can cause distress in baby. This is because we cannot regulate the amount of oxytocin we are releasing, so healthcare providers recommend having some sort of fetal monitoring when doing this.
How do I do it?
Recommended to wait till at least 37 weeks to start doing nipple stimulation.
There are three different ways
- The most common way to do it is breast pumping for 10-15 mins, on one side at a time, alternating sides for 1-2 hours. Rest for an hour or so and then doing it again till contractions pick up and stay without pumping, or you decide to move on.
- You can also do the same timeline for hand massage of the breasts and nipples, but this route is a little more physically demanding. Having the partner do this could also be helpful to help with an added release of oxytocin from loving touch. Some will incorporate breast and nipple stimulation in sex. When doing Manual Hand Massage, massage the breast tissue, then when getting to the nipple doing more of a pinch and pull movement to simulate the tugging of the nipple during breastfeeding.
- Third option is if you have another child who is breastfeeding, this could help stimulate contractions too!
- Do NOT stimulate during a contraction
- Stop if contractions are 3 mins apart
- Only one breast at a time
- Only do it for 1-2 hours at a time
Risks & Benefits
Benefits
- Ripen cervix
- Stimulate contractions & brings labor on sooner than doing nothing
- Reduced risk of c-section and other interventions
Risks
- Hyperstimulation of the uterus
- Soreness of nipples*
Breastfeeding during pregnancy
Since we discuss nipple stimulation as a labor induction method, naturally some may then ask, can I breastfeed during pregnancy safely?
The answer is YES!
There is no research that supports that breastfeeding during pregnancy will cause pre-term labor! Especially if you are a low risk pregnancy with no risk factors of preterm labor.
This is likely due to the fact that the uterus’ sensitivity to oxytocin during pregnancy is less during the early part of pregnancy. The number of receptors increase once you reach term! This is a safety mechanism in our body. Once you are 37 weeks, your body becomes more and more sensitive to the oxytocin to allow for the labor feedback loop to be initiated.
Our Professional Opinion
Roxanne: Labor & Delivery Nurse
I have seen nipple stimulation work to help progress labor when someone needs an extra boost in their labor. Whether this is because their labor is stalling for some reason, they’re being induced, or their water broke before labor has started. It does take a lot of effort and does take longer to start working than the medical alternative of pitocin. So I usually advise it if:
- You are well rested and not tired
- No signs of infection
- Other reasons for stall in labor have been ruled our
- Have tried eating and drinking or taking a nap
If you have been in labor for over 24 hours and you are exhausted, it may be a better option to try pitocin to get contractions started and get baby out quicker.
Having a discussion with your provider using the BRAIN acronym can be helpful!
Mamastefit Survey Results
The Results of our Mini Survey we did on 10/5/2022 on Instagram. We asked out followers about Acupressure/Acupuncture and their experience.
Did you try Nipple stimulation to induce labor? We had 2,778 people answer
- 52% said Yes
- 48% said No
When asked how it was performed? We had 1794 people answer:
- 46% said manual massage with hands
- 28% said breast pump
- 26% said both!
If you used your hands, did it induce labor within 24 hours? We had 1534 people answer:
- 15% said Yes
- 85% said No
If you used a breast pump, did it induce labor within 24 hours? We had 1351 people respond
- 17% said Yes
- 83% said No
Did the Acupressure help with labor pains? We had 125 people respond
- 40% said Yes
- 60% said No
If you did both, did it induce labor within 24 hours? We had 981 people respond
- 11% said yes
- 89% said no
How long did you pump for and how often? Most common answers we got
- 5-10 mins once to a few times a day
- 15 mins per side for 1-2 hours
- 15 mins once
- Few minutes while collecting colostrum
- 20 mins per side
Did you try it if you had PROM (prelabor rupture of membranes? We had 625 people respond
- 31% said Yes
- 69% said No
If you had PROM, did it start labor? We had 476 answer
- 26% said Yes
- 74% said No
If you had PROM, did you still end up needing Pitocin? We had 670 answer
- 52% said Yes
- 48% said No
Did you notice any change in cervical effacement after acupressure/acupuncture? We had 98 people respond
- 46% said yes
- 54% said no
If contractions started with nipple stimulation, did they stop one you stopped doing the nipple stimulation? We had 497 people respond
- 45% said Yes
- 55% said No
Did you use nipple stimulation during labor to help with contractions? We had 1095 people respond
- 21% said Yes, I used my hands for nipple stimulation
- 12% said Yes, I used a breast pump
- 67% said No
Did the nipple stimulation during labor help with labor progress? We had 315 people respond
- 36% said Yes! Hand stimulation helped
- 12% said Yes! Using a breast pump helped
- 52% said No! I tried it but it didn’t see to help