Watch the Rebecca Dekker’s video below, on medical evidence on inducing labor using breast stimulation. www.evidencebasedbirth.com
- Breast stimulation done one breast at a time (for an extended period of time with intermittent breaks) with a breast pump stimulates the release of oxytocin from the pituitary gland in the brain.
- If a woman’s cervix was favorable or ripe 37% of the women were in labor within 72 hours.
- A study in India advised women to begin massaging the breast at 38 weeks. There was significant improvement in cervical ripeness between 38 and 39 weeks. The Cesarean rate was 8% vs the control group of 20%.
- Benefits – cervical ripening, inducing labor using your own oxytocin, usually safe and effective inducing labor within 72 hours, women were satisfied with this form of induction.
- Risks – overstimulating the uterus could decrease blood supply to baby if contractions become too strong and last too long, similar to use of Pitocin.
