Ladies that tried nip. stimulation and it worked....

to start contractions. What exactly did you do? I am willing to try anything!!! I am past my due date and if doesn't arrive on her own, I will be induced on Wed.

I have tried: Sex, acupressure, red rasp. leaf tea, pineapple, spicy food, walking, hot bath..

Re: Ladies that tried nip. stimulation and it worked....

here's the wording from the Girlfriends' Guide:

but a word of warning: as you get near your delivery date, breast stimulation can bring on or intensify labor. Yes, it's true; nipple twisting is actually recommended by your granola pregnancy books as an organic oxytocin stimulator. Oxytocin is the natural chemical that induces labor. Mother nature is a genuis, isn't she? Your doctor may give you the pharmaceutical equivalent, pitocin, to speed up your labor when the time comes. Anyway, accept this cautionary intelligence and talk to your doctor about it if you have any concerns about premature labor or miscarriage. Conversely, if your due date has come and gone and you're impatiently awaiting your baby's arrival, stimulate and twist to your hearts' content. The side benefit of all this breast handling is that it toughens up your nipples in preparation for breast feeding...

i know i've never done it - but this is the advice i can give.....

Re: Ladies that tried nip. stimulation and it worked....

from a website:

Nipple Stimulation for Labor
What is Nipple Stimulation?

Gentle rubbing or rolling of the nipple, or suckling of the nipples to encourage contractions is called nipple stimulation.
Why does Nipple Stimulation work?

Oxytocin, a hormone that causes contractions, is released in the body when the breasts are stimulated. After the baby is born, this release is important for the involution (returning to pre-pregnancy size) of the uterus. In labor, the release can be used to stimulate longer or stronger contractions.
How do I do it?

To stimulate the release of oxytocin, you must mimic the suckling of a baby. When a baby suckles, he does not grab just the nipple, but actually massages the areola (dark circle around the nipple).

The areola can be orally massaged by the mother's partner, the mother's toddler who is still nursing or by a friend's newborn (babies under 6 weeks will tend to suckle any woman).

The mother may prefer to massage her own areola. To do this she can rub the areola in a gentle rolling way with her palm or fingers. This can be done through thin clothing.

NOTE: Nipple stimulation can have very strong effects, similar to the overuse of Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin). For this reason various experts have given recommendations on its use. Here are some recommendations I have seen at various sources:

*Only massage one breast at a time
*Only massage a nipple for 5 minutes, wait up to 15 minutes to see what happens before continuing with the massage.
*Do not stimulate the breast during a contraction.
*Do not use nipple stimulation after the contractions are 3 minutes apart or 1 minute long.

Some sample nipple stimulation techniques:

When trying to induce labor or speed up a prolonged early labor, have the mother go about her regular activities. Set a timer to go off every hour. When the timer indicates, have the mother stimulate one breast for 5 minutes, then continue with her normal activities.

If the mother is anxious for labor to begin, combine the effects of natural nipple stimulation with the natural prostaglandin released in semen by encouraging the mother and her partner to engage in intercourse.

In the hospital, have the mother place her palm over the nipple and areola and give a firm but gentle pressure. Encourage the mother to move the palm in a circular motion, keeping the firm and gentle pressure.

Re: Ladies that tried nip. stimulation and it worked....

Natural Ways to Induce Labor
If the medical methods of jump starting labor sound a bit off putting, there are a number of home remedies for inducing labor naturally when you are past your due date. But remember: none of these remedies will start labor unless you have already begun to dilate. However, some methods can help you to tone and soften your uterus.

1. Eat spicy foods or pineapple.

2. Go for a walk or march up some stairs. This is thought to bring on labor because of the pressure of the baby's head pressing down on your cervix. At the very least, walking can help get your baby into a better position for labor.

3. Have sex. A favorite for many pregnant women, sex can help by releasing a hormone called oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract. Additionally, semen contains a substance known as prostaglandins, which will help soften the cervix.

4. Nipple stimulation. For those who find sex just too uncomfortable right now, nipple stimulation may be a better choice. It helps to bring on labor in much the same way sex does, by releasing oxytocin. However, this method may take a bit more effort than sex to start labor.

5. Stretching of the uterine opening membranes. This can be done by your doctor or midwife and has been found to increase the chances of labor starting within 48 hours.

6. Complementary therapies. Acupuncture, massage, teas, herbs and homeopathic remedies can be helpful when it comes to inducing labor. However, make sure you go to a licensed practitioner who has experience treating pregnant women.

One home remedy that is often recommended to pregnant women is castor oil taken either alone or with orange juice. While some women swear by this method, many experts and women who have tried it will strongly advise you against it. Castor oil may or may not bring on labor but it will definitely make you nauseous, cause you to vomit, have diarrhea and suffer severe cramps so just steer clear of this home remedy.

Re: Ladies that tried nip. stimulation and it worked....

What about earlier on? Can too much stimulation of the nipples (ahem, for fun) cause contractions? Uh oh..

Message edited 10/19/2008 10:44:10 AM.