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Is Nipple Stimulation Effective for Inducing Labor and Acceptable to Patients, Nurses, and Providers?
Sponsor: 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.
Official title: Nipple Stimulation Acceptability for Induction of Labor
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
18 Years - 50 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
48
Start Date
2026-07
Completion Date
2028-12
Last Updated
2026-05-14
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Electric 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.
induction 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).
Locations (1)
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas, United States