Thoughts/experience of nipple stimulation?

[princess2406]

So I'm 1 day overdue! I went 8 days over with my ds, sweep worked first time and I went into spontaneous labour the night before I should have been induced.

I had a sweep on Thursday, was 1cm, bloody mucus plug lost last couple of days but now seems to have stopped. I see mw again Thursday and she will do a 2nd sweep then book me in for induction. I really don't want to end up being induced and although I know baby will come when he's ready there seems to be lots of positive stories on nipple stimulation starting labour and it's the only thing that's proven to work? But then I worry that it's not safe if my baby is not ready, I wouldn't want to cause any distress! But then I worry about the whole induction process and it just being a complete nightmare!

Sorry for waffling just very fed up now!

 

[Bekah78]

I saw my midwife at 37 weeks and she advised I start doing this from 38 weeks onwards. She recommends it to all her pregnant ladies apparently. Image recommended doing it on both sides for a couple minutes 6 times a day. I will be induced at 40 weeks if baby hasn't arrived by then so I'm trying this. Onto day two.

 

[Natasha2605]

I've heard that nipple stimulation is the only proven thing that works.

 

[Powell130]

I've heard that nipple stimulation is the only proven thing that works.

Ditto. I read that it's because the oxytocin that's released causes contractions

 

[mum2jaydon]

There was a lady on here not long ago, she did nipple stimulation with a breast pump. I think 15 minutes each breast then rest then again etc , I think her waters broke the morning after. I think k it's the only natural way to stimulate labour, good luck x

 

[princess2406]

Thanks for all your advice ladies. I'm tempted but I just don't know how I feel about playing with my nips or using a breast pump. I feel abit silly!

 

[mumandco]

Nipple stimulation certainly got me into labour...my ds2 at the time was still breastfeeding though he would often go weeks without nursing,I'd been having on and off contractions along with loosing bits of my plug for around a week. The night I went into labour ds2 had fed and I was having some decent contractions..after a while they stopped and ds2 was in bed. I used my breast pump for a few mins each side which again brought on some contractions. Tried getting to sleep woke up 20 mins later in full blown labour-2 hours later ds3 was born.

 

[jessiebella86]

Get yourself on the breast pump. I will be doing so from 38 weeks. Baby is full term from 37 so won't do you any harm. And make sure you freeze any colostrum if you get any to give baby in those early days xx

 

[Lues]

Def a nice natural way to encourage yourself to go into labor (or speed up a labor that has stalled).

In my personal opinion, nothing (barring medication and I don't know anything about the herb some people talk about) is going to make you go into labor if you and your baby are not actually READY. So I wouldn't worry too much about that.

If you want another one though: there is a pressure point in the roof of your mouth that can mildly encourage labor. As far back as you can get, you can push your tongue on it, your thumb (it's basically right where your thumb pad would be if you were sucking your thumb, just press it up) or even use a lollipop and press up (although this one isn't as comfortable for some people)

Again, they are both good tips to have in the back of your mild if your labor stalls too. I told my husband it's going to be hilarious if I'm walking around the L&D pinching my nipples and sucking my thumb!!!

 

[laila 44]

Yes me! I swear by it. I made a post a few weeks back. My second pregnancy I was really fed up of constant contractions from 32 weeks until I delivered. I was in and out of hospital. Went to my appointment with my OB on a Thursday.. He said I was long and closed not even a finger tip dialated and that he was going away for the weekend but that I would be fine as I had a long way to go. I was 37.1 weeks, It was a Thursday. On the Sunday I had read about breast and nipple stimulation that worked to induce labor so I thought what the heck! I pulled out my breast pump and tried it. Both sides same time for 10 minutes. I even got colustrum. Thought nothing of it and went to bed, it was 10pm. Woke up at 130am to pee and my water broke right then and there! My dd 2 was born at 37.4 weeks perfectly healthy. Nipple stimulation though isn't as effective bc it needs to go on for hours before even making a dent in terms of labor inducing. It's proven to work bc it releases chemicals that cause uterus to contract. Breast pump is the best way though!

 

[laila 44]

The other effective way is accupuncture. Several of my friends went straight into labor right after. U need to go to someone who knows what they are doing and has experience with pregnancy and fertility. Everything else is really bogus such as herbs, spicy foods, pineapple etc.

 

[princess2406]

Thanks all for sharing! I did try yesterday but doesn't seem to have worked for me x

 

[Kay0102]

Yes me! I swear by it. I made a post a few weeks back. My second pregnancy I was really fed up of constant contractions from 32 weeks until I delivered. I was in and out of hospital. Went to my appointment with my OB on a Thursday.. He said I was long and closed not even a finger tip dialated and that he was going away for the weekend but that I would be fine as I had a long way to go. I was 37.1 weeks, It was a Thursday. On the Sunday I had read about breast and nipple stimulation that worked to induce labor so I thought what the heck! I pulled out my breast pump and tried it. Both sides same time for 10 minutes. I even got colustrum. Thought nothing of it and went to bed, it was 10pm. Woke up at 130am to pee and my water broke right then and there! My dd 2 was born at 37.4 weeks perfectly healthy. Nipple stimulation though isn't as effective bc it needs to go on for hours before even making a dent in terms of labor inducing. It's proven to work bc it releases chemicals that cause uterus to contract. Breast pump is the best way though!

Did you use manual or electric hun? X

 

[Powell130]

I gave it a try yesterday while in the tub and it brought my contractions from 10-12 mins apart to 3-4 mins apart. It freaked me out a little so I stopped and they went back to being farther apart but I definitely say it works!!

 

[laila 44]

Yes me! I swear by it. I made a post a few weeks back. My second pregnancy I was really fed up of constant contractions from 32 weeks until I delivered. I was in and out of hospital. Went to my appointment with my OB on a Thursday.. He said I was long and closed not even a finger tip dialated and that he was going away for the weekend but that I would be fine as I had a long way to go. I was 37.1 weeks, It was a Thursday. On the Sunday I had read about breast and nipple stimulation that worked to induce labor so I thought what the heck! I pulled out my breast pump and tried it. Both sides same time for 10 minutes. I even got colustrum. Thought nothing of it and went to bed, it was 10pm. Woke up at 130am to pee and my water broke right then and there! My dd 2 was born at 37.4 weeks perfectly healthy. Nipple stimulation though isn't as effective bc it needs to go on for hours before even making a dent in terms of labor inducing. It's proven to work bc it releases chemicals that cause uterus to contract. Breast pump is the best way though!

Did you use manual or electric hun? X

Mine is an electric pump X

 

[Marumi]

I breastfeed and only get a few BH contractions if any.

I will not touch my nipples since they are so overly sensitive as of late...I hate when my arm only brushes them

 

[StephtheHiker]

I breastfeed and only get a few BH contractions if any.

I will not touch my nipples since they are so overly sensitive as of late...I hate when my arm only brushes them

Yes!!! This! I bf for 15 months until I was 8 weeks with this one so at first I thought oh it'll be so much less painful this time around. Nope these hormones are evil. Tempted to bottle feed to help me bond with the newborn when she comes but I'm too lazy and cheap. Bring on the 4 weeks of tears sigh...

 

[jenmcn1]

Yup it works wonders!!! If you have access to a breast pump use it!!! Way better for baby than an induction.
My midwife really encourages it when moms are overdue!!
There's no harm in trying....and if your body and baby aren't ready it won't do a thing.

 

[Marumi]

I breastfeed and only get a few BH contractions if any.

I will not touch my nipples since they are so overly sensitive as of late...I hate when my arm only brushes them

Yes!!! This! I bf for 15 months until I was 8 weeks with this one so at first I thought oh it'll be so much less painful this time around. Nope these hormones are evil. Tempted to bottle feed to help me bond with the newborn when she comes but I'm too lazy and cheap. Bring on the 4 weeks of tears sigh...

The sore nipples could improve earlier. During my whole pregnancy soreness and nursing aversion have went up and down and recently nursing became less uncomfortable. Almost like before. Your hormones could be in a better place after delivery.
With my son breastfeeding was painful for the first four months but I was still able to bond and enjoy the experience too. Maybe the C Section affected my hormones then.