using breast pump ---> contractions?

[Hennerrz]

so i think ive read this before but.... does using a breast pump bring on contractions?

i know that once baby is born, if you breast feed it causes your uterus to contract and shrink quicker than if you formula feed.... so i assume "expressing" before youve had your baby would cause you to start contracting.

did anyone try this as a way to kick start labour and did it work?

i havent actually used it yet... i got it out today to check it actually worked n was all there... turned it on and OMG IT MAKES A SCARY NOISE! lol itd take some courage on my part to actually plug that thing on to me lol but im struggling to do the simplest of tasks now... just sitting on the loo is uncomfortable/painful! plus i just want to meet my little girly lol but i would really like people opinions and any ideas first

 

[courtney89]

I have tried it and it didn't do much. Just got all the colestrum out of my boobs lol.

 

[kleinfor3]

Haven't tried it but have seen the midwives use it on the baby story tv show. I figure it works for some people but not all...good luck

 

[forestfire]

I tried my pump out yesterday and it did nothing in terms of contractions. I think if your body isn't ready it isn't ready .

 

[hayleyh26]

I am 6 days overdue, and have been using my breast pump for the last 3 days.. no contractions yet I'm afraid! xx

 

[flamingpanda]

I really want to try my pump but it's too early, just incase it set things going! I've had to hide it away in a drawer.

 

[Terangela]

It releases natural oxytocin, but you have to pump like an hour on each breast. Yes, you will likely get colostrum, you can bag and freeze it if you want and then have it for an extra feed when baby comes. They like you to nurse baby once baby is out so it naturally releases the oxytocin so your placenta detaches and the after birth comes out easier. I've never had to push it out, but I know others that have had to push it out.

I am so uncomfortable already that I know near the end I will be wanting to pump, get a stretch and sweep and do squats or anything to get things to proceed before my due date.

 

[seaweed eater]

I haven't tried a pump but I have tried using a warm compress on one nipple at a time. It didn't work right away but it did start BH-feeling contractions (tight but not painful) after several minutes. I kept it going for one hour at a time (yes, I am desperate).

Who knows if the BHs were enough to do anything, but it at least felt like something was happening. It didn't start labor, but I would be happy just to progress at this point!

I didn't leak at all, but I haven't leaked during the pregnancy so I don't know if it would be different for someone else.

 

[bitethebullet]

My pump instructions say not to use while pregnant as can bring on labour!

 

[time]

I have read in a lot of places to not express any milk before baby is born, even a little by hand, as it can take the goodness out of baby's first feed, can bring on Labour/bad Braxton hicks and can also cause infection, I wouldn't recommend it after being told that! I know nipple stimulation has been said to bring on Labour but I think expressing could surely waste good colostrum which is important for baby?

 

[babers]

I have done it and I think it definately helps to get your uterus and cervix ready. My first 2 children were both overdue with one being induced at 8 days overdue. I used my breast pump starting at 38 weeks with my 3rd. I have a double medella pump and would use it a couple times a day for as long as I could stand. It would start contractions but they would stop after I stopped pumping. I had him 1 week early and my water broke on it's own. With my first 2 my water always had to be broken by the doctor. I had no contractions or anything, I stood up out of bed, my water broke and I had him 2 hours and 20 minutes later. Did pumping help? I don't know for sure, but in my opinion I really think it did.

 

[Sproglet]

I have read in a lot of places to not express any milk before baby is born, even a little by hand, as it can take the goodness out of baby's first feed, can bring on Labour/bad Braxton hicks and can also cause infection, I wouldn't recommend it after being told that! I know nipple stimulation has been said to bring on Labour but I think expressing could surely waste good colostrum which is important for baby?

You can freeze the colostrum, and then if baby can't feed immediately for any reason it can be given to baby to prevent you needing to give formula. I have GD nd will be doing this from 36 weeks, so if baby's blood sugar drops after birth my colostrum can be given to try to bring it back up. The midwife didn't mention anything about infections, but I was told to wait until 36 weeks just in case it brings on labour.