Contents:
- Medical Video: Pregnancy Questions : How to Use a Breast Pump to Start Labor
- Why can stimulating the nipples lead to labor?
- Nipple stimulation to trigger labor has rules
- Is nipple stimulation safe to do at home?
- When to go to the hospital near the time of delivery?
Medical Video: Pregnancy Questions : How to Use a Breast Pump to Start Labor
When your labor is near or may have arrived but you have not experienced signs of labor? You might start looking for ways to naturally induce labor. With the doctor's approval, you can do several ways to help the body enter the stage of labor, such as rolling or having sex with a partner. There is one technique that can be said to be the most effective: stimulating the nipple.
Why can stimulating the nipples lead to labor?
Stroking or playing with the nipples can stimulate the release of oxytocin from your body. Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a role in triggering labor and forming a bond between mother and child. This hormone also makes the uterus contract after labor, helping it return to its original size as before pregnancy. Giving stimulation to the breast can help the labor process by strengthening and prolonging contractions.
In one study, 390 pregnant women who wanted to give birth were randomly assigned to the group: nipple stimulation, uterine stimulation, and the control group (not given special treatment). The results are very interesting. The women given nipple stimulation undergo labor in a shorter duration. In addition, none of the women were given nipple and uterine stimulation that had to undergo surgery caesarean section.
On the other hand, many women from the control group needed additional oxytocin to induce labor, and as many as 8% of these women had to give birth by the caesarean method.
Nipple stimulation to trigger labor has rules
Nipple stimulation to trigger labor in principle is only recommended for normal labor. Here are some things you need to pay attention to:
- For the best results, you should be able to mimic the baby's sucking on your nipples as best as possible You can use fingers or a breast pump to stimulate your breasts. If you have a baby who is breastfeeding, the child can provide good stimulation.
- Not only the nipple, you also need to massage the part of your areola. The areola is a darker colored circle around the nipple, which encircles the nipple. Gently rub your fingers or palms on the part of your areola.
- Avoid excessive stimulation by only focusing on one breast at a time. Limit stimulation for only 5 minutes, and wait for 15 minutes before continuing stimulation. Stop for a moment to stimulate the nipple when a contraction occurs. If contractions occur every 3 minutes or less and last for 1 minute or more, you can stop stimulation.
- Always consult your doctor before doing nipple stimulation.
Is nipple stimulation safe to do at home?
A research survey asked 201 women about whether they had ever tried to induce labor naturally at home. About half of the women responded that they had tried at least one type of natural labor induction method such as eating spicy food or having sex.
You should always consult with your doctor before making any induction of your pregnancy. This is because most induction methods that can be done at home usually do not have a clear scientific basis.
If your pregnancy is at high risk, nipple stimulation may be dangerous for you. Nipple stimulation does have some strong scientific evidence, but this method can also be dangerous in some women with certain medical histories.
When to go to the hospital near the time of delivery?
If you are ready to give birth, you will feel your baby is at the bottom of your pelvis, you will also experience regular contractions and experience the release of mucus blockages (mucus plug) that comes out of the vagina. At the initial stage, the contractions will feel like blunt pressure or a little uncomfortable feeling. Begin to measure the duration of your contractions when you begin to feel them.
In the early stages, contractions may be intermittent every 15-20 minutes and last for 60-90 seconds. The more you enter when active, the contractions will be as strong and frequent. The distance between contractions can last up to 3-4 minutes and last between 45-60 seconds.
If the amniotic fluid ruptures before you experience a contraction, contact your doctor immediately. You also need to tell your doctor if you experience any bleeding. If not, you can immediately go to the doctor if your contractions have been 5 minutes between contractions for more than 1 hour.
