Nipple Stimulation Acceptability for Induction of Labor
University of Kansas Medical Center
Summary
In this study the investigators will be testing the use of the Symphony PLUS® breast pump for nipple stimulation. Typically, breast pumps are used to start breast milk production and collect breast milk in patients after delivering their baby. The device uses cup-shaped pieces called flanges that are placed over the patient's nipples and then a gentle vacuum or suction is applied. The mechanical effect of the suction on the nipple is thought to cause the release of a substance called oxytocin in one's body, which encourages labor and contractions to begin. Some reasons why nipple stimulation might be better than other induction of labor methods are that it allows the patient to have more control over their induction process, it uses the patient's own oxytocin instead of synthetic (or factory-produced) oxytocin, and it may shorten the time that it takes to deliver the baby.
Description
Patients will be randomly assigned (like rolling the dice) to one of 2 groups. * Group 1 will follow the standard induction of labor protocol at KUMC. In other words, their induction process will not look any different than if they were not a participant in this study. Their induction process may include, but is not limited to, medications and/or devices to make the body more ready to deliver the baby, medications to increase the uterus muscle contractions, medications to decrease the pain associated with labor, etc. Group 1 will not use nipple stimulation at all as part of their labor. * Gro…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–50 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: All patients presenting to KUMC labor \& delivery for IOL will be considered for this study. Maternal * ≥18 years old and ≤ 50 years old * ≥37wga and ≤ 42wga * Intact amniotic membranes * English speaking Fetal * Cephalic presentation Exclusion Criteria: Maternal * Inability to give informed consent * History of cesarean delivery or uterine myomectomy * History of uterine rupture * Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy * Maternal life-threatening conditions * Active HSV * Gestational hypertension, Preeclampsia (severe or w/o severe features), HELLP, chronic hypertensi…
Interventions
- OtherElectric breast pump for nipple stimulation
Symphony PLUS® breast pump. What distinguishes this induction of labor nipple stimulation study is how we will be applying the nipple stimulation. Many other studies exist, but they apply the stimulation in an uneven or inconsistent manner. They often do not specify how they interpret active and latent labor. Our study will be using nipple stimulation only for 2 hours per experimental participant so that we can better quantify the effect that nipple stimulation has on the labor process.
- Otherinduction of labor
Patients randomized to the control group will follow standard induction of labor protocol, which may include, but is not limited to, misoprostol, Foley catheter, and synthetic oxytocin (Pitocin).
Location
- University of Kansas Medical CenterKansas City, Kansas