Last ditch effort- pumping?

blessedandhopeful · May 2014

So I'm set for a RCS @ 41 weeks on Monday. I have had what I am pretty sure are very mild contractions on and off the past 3 days, but they didn't become more intense or closer together. As of Thursday I was still only a fingertip dilated, no effacement. I've tried walking, sex, RRL tea, EPO vaginally for the past 2-3 weeks, exercise ball, and that's where I am. Would you try pumping to initiate labor at this point, or just assume nothing is going to happen? I'm not going to try castor oil, so this is about the last thing I can think of before resigning myself to accepting the c-section. I'm torn. TIA...

Q: Should I use my pump to try and initiate labor at this point?

Tnpeach · May 2014

Maybe not straight up pumping, but I'd be playing with those nips.

MrsT2008 · May 2014

Hell Nooooo. Even nipple stim is supposed to be questionably okay to do.

cnbean · May 2014

I'd have my husband help with nipple stimulation, but not pump. I don't think the pump stimulates the breast the right way anyhow.

mirdamae03 · May 2014

I'd wait for your RCS unless you know the doctor you want to deliver you is on call.

mirdamae03 · May 2014

Or are you attempting VBAC?

blessedandhopeful · May 2014

mirdamae03 said:

Or are you attempting VBAC?

My doctor will allow me to attempt a VBAC only if I go into labor on my own. Due to hospital policy, she can't medically induce me. Monday is 41 weeks, and my cut-off for VBAC. Basically, if nothing happens by Monday, I'll be having a c-section around 2PM.

Hence, why I am desperate but a little hesitant. I didn't go into labor with DS1, but I've at least had some "action" this time around in the form of BH and such.

ho11yday · May 2014

My midwife suggested pumping and if contractions got too bad to just stop. However, I'm not in the same shoes as you are, as I'm not attempting a vbac.

sthomas1222 · May 2014

If I were to do it it wouldn't be a pump. When I was being sent for my induction with DD I had 2 hours to walk around before I had to report upstairs. My MFM suggested nipple stim by DH.

sthomas1222 · May 2014

anniemore said:
You should really try to save colostrum for the baby if you are going to bf, on top of agreeing with PP that if you cannot be monitored, don't attempt something that is questionable and could potentially put you in a stressful situation.

There is no "saving" colostrum. You could pump every day & your body will still produce colostrum after baby is born.

mirdamae03 · May 2014

Until your placenta is expelled, your body continues to make colostrum. There may not be a never ending supply of it, but a few days prior to eviction certainly aren't going to use it up either.

That being said, I'd definitely not be on team pump before baby arrives. I'd rather have DH stimulate if I did anything at all.

spacepotatoes · May 2014

anniemore said:

Are you an LC because it was an LC with 30 years in L&D who advised this to me and all of the mothers in her class. Some women do not have a lot of colostrum to start so if you are pumping or otherwise you can reduce what little is available at birth while waiting for milk to come in.

I honestly have never heard this before. The nurse who taught my prenatal classes had LC experience and when this question came up during classes, she said not to do it but never said anything about a finite supply of colostrum.

@OP, I really wouldn't do it, especially if you're trying for a VBAC. Seems a little too risky since you can't control what kind of contractions might result. Just wait it out.

sthomas1222 · May 2014

Not an IBCLC but I am a RN and have nursed a child and done my research. Colostrum is not produced in finite quantities. It will continue to be produced until your milk comes in. Moms still nursing toddlers while pregnant can easily attest to this. The fact that many women leak colostrum regularly throughout pregnancy (I did as early as 16 weeks with DD) also tells you that it's not something that you get X amount of and that's it. Sorry that your LC was not informed.

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