Natural induction- Using breast pump

TrendyTina

For those of you who used a breast pump to bring on contractions, when did you start? How long did/ what speed did you use it each time? My doula said not to do things that would bring on contractions until my cervix is favorable, but I'm not sure if mine is. Aghhhh. Any ideas/ suggestions?

 I've been walking non stop, had spicy food yesterday, and DH and I are going to start having sex like crazy. My doula gave me a labor tincture, but I can't take it anymore because the taste is beyond awful and it makes me burp (painful burps) all day and night. I will consider taking it again after my due date. I know I still have time to go, and I know the baby will come when he is ready, but I want to do as much as I can to create favorable conditions for starting labor spontaneously. Thanks! 

Bonidiebabe

There's a pumping protocol at the BC I plan to deliver at. If you have not begun your birthing time by 41 weeks that's when they will step in. I can't remember exactly how long they said each pumping session will last for. They have you pump than walk. Repeat three times.  

FyreFlyeRush

Hwhen is your next appt? Can you MW/OB check how things are going down there? At nearly 40w, they may take a peek and offer to "strip" your membranes, another natural way of speeding things along. (Personally, I'd wait until 41+w. Only 3% of women go into labor after 41w. Most will deliver between 40w and 41w.) Nipple stimulation can cause really painful contractions without ever triggering labor. Be careful. 

kami1977

My understanding is that once you get close to labor, your cervix will have oxytocin receptors that it didn't have before.   Once you have those receptors, pumping may help to start labor but until those receptors are active, pumping really won't do anything.   This is one of the reasons why many women, myself included, can nurse another child while pregnant without going into labor or even getting contractions while nursing.   Unless you've got a deadline you're up against, I would just let your body take the lead.  I know it's rough at the end.

nosoup4u

Oh god, I think I had that same tincture, and it was seriously the most vile stuff ever. I had to stop taking it aftrr a day or two, uuuuugh. I did take evening primrose oil by mouth, though.  

TrendyTina

nosoup4u:

Oh god, I think I had that same tincture, and it was seriously the most vile stuff ever. I had to stop taking it aftrr a day or two, uuuuugh. I did take evening primrose oil by mouth, though.  

Glad I'm not the only one! It seriously tastes like death.

I spoke with my doula and she's in agreement with everyone here. She told me to hold off on using the pump. Thanks for all the info, ladies!  

kacelle

I didn't use a breast pump, but I did use nipple stimulation at 41 weeks 5 days.  It did make the light contractions I'd been having for almost two weeks much stronger, although I had an epi-free induction the next morning.

InfinityDreamer

Nipple stimulation is usually done with a pump for 20-30 minutes on and off until steady contractions develop.  It's a method for inducing labor, slightly more natural, but similar to going to the hospital for a pitocin drip.  At only 40 weeks you have 2 more weeks to go before you're considered out of the completely normal range for delivery, so I wouldn't begin it now unless there is good reason to hurry things along.

ETA: If you are hoping to help create favorable labor conditions Evening Primrose Oil can be quite helpful in softening the cervix and for many can be taken anytime during the third trimester.