breast pump to bring on labour?

[*noni*e*]

ok so i know its not everyones opinion that ppl should be trying to bring on labour but for several reasons i really need this bub to come!!!
my gp told me that nipple stimulation was good for releasing oxytocin, ive done a bit by hand but nit really sure what i am doing or if it is doing anything... lol... ive heard using a breast pump can be effective? i was thinking of buying one anyway has anyone had tis work for them or heard of it working for anyone???

[Tobily]

A breastpump is definitely easier (and probably more effective) than doing it manually.

I tried it with my last baby, it definitely gave me some quite strong braxton hicks but it didn't do anything else, I guess because he wasn't ready. I was trying to beat an induction so was desperate to get things happening before it came to that.

Like any natural method, it's not going to work unless bub is ready anyway but it can't hurt to try.

[SweetPea]

You could definitely try the pump and even if it doesn't work it will probably come in handy when you're breastfeeding, so you can express. I tried nipple stimulation and as Flea said it definitely gave me stong braxton hicks contractions as well, I think it helped move things lower and helped the cervix thin ready to dilate. Good luck I hope all goes well, bubs will come when they're ready!

[joel's girl]

Great idea Noni.............think I'll give it a go too !!!!!

[SamanthaP]

You couldn't try some more pleasurable ways to stimulate your nipples?

[~Raven~]

I tried nipple stimulation and it didn't get things going I don't think. I was 41+1 weeks when Caleb was born and tried all sorts of other tricks...sex, walking, car trips on bumpy roads. Any one or combination of those could have worked or bub could have just decided the time himself.

those last couple of weeks are uncomfortable but bub will be in your arms soon enough.

[Meg01]

I tried a breast pump and just got strong braxton hicks from it. I think I tried every form of natural induction with this bub - in order to avoid a caesar. In the end, it was acupuncture & acupressure in massage that finally got labour going - on the morning of a scheduled caesar too!! So the caesar was cancelled so I could try for a VBAC. In the end, bub didn't fit through, but at least I got to have a go. Got to change the signature. Minnie arrived 30th August. She's a week old today.

[ele_ven27]

I tried it with my first pregnancy, but only after a couple of days of stop-starting. I phoned the midwives out of frustration and they suggested lubricating my fingers and stimulating my nipples for at least 20 mins. If i was close enough, it would start things rolling, otherwise, i'd have to keep waiting. So i did what they suggested and sure enough, within about an hour and a half, i started full contractions and had my daughter the next morning. It feels a bit weird doing it, and if anyone was perving through my living room windows they woulda thought i was a bit loopy (especially since i was watching the Terminator on tv! )
I was already 9 days overdue though.

I've tried it with my second preg, to no avail, and i started doing it again last night for this one, as i'm now 40wks and getting stop-start contractions again! Nothing has happened yet though

Like someone else already said, i think it works well when you're really close to going into labour anyway, otherwise, it doesn't do anything. A breast pump would definitely be more efficient than doing it by hand, but i'm not sure if it's the actual nipple stimulation that does the trick or whether it's the entire breast....might wanna check into that.

Good luck!

[luua]

Accupunture worked for me too. But I did it at 40weeks.

At my check up the midwife said i was already 3cms dilated but i had a stretch and sweep (very ouchy) to get things moving. And it did. I was in labour the next day.

Ann