Manual pumping during pregnancy, is it safe?

Can manual pumping induce labor?

Some people believe that nipple stimulation can help bring on labor sooner. This idea came from older, small studies that suggested that hand pumping during pregnancy could lead to earlier labor or more neonatal unit admissions. This made healthcare providers cautious about recommending prenatal pumping.

However, a large and reliable study – the DAME study – has investigated these concerns. The study involved 635 pregnant women with diabetes . Half of them were instructed to hand express from 36 weeks , while the other half did not. The results? Women who expressed before birth did not give birth earlier than women who did not, and there was no increase in neonatal unit admissions or other risks to the baby.

Source: Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing: the DAME trial . This study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) , meaning the evidence is strong. The conclusion? Prenatal hand pumping does not speed up labor.

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What do other studies say about nipple stimulation and labor?

There is some evidence that intense nipple stimulation – such as breast massage or prolonged stimulation – can influence the onset of labour.

A Cochrane review of 6 studies showed that intensive nipple stimulation reduced the number of women who had not given birth after 72 hours Source: Breast stimulation for cervical ripening and induction of labour | Cochrane .

Studies show that in women around their due date , intense breast massage can increase the chances of spontaneous labor . Source: Cervical Ripening and Induction of Labor | AAFP .

The important difference is that these studies involved women who wanted to actively induce labor , while manual pumping in the last weeks of pregnancy is much gentler and more gentle .

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What do medical guidelines say about manual pumping during pregnancy?

Because there was no clear evidence for a long time, healthcare providers were reluctant to recommend manual pumping. But thanks to the DAME study and other studies, prenatal pumping is now recommended in some cases .

Guidelines advise :

✔ Start from 36 weeks (not earlier).

✔ Always consult a midwife or gynaecologist first .

✔ Particularly useful for women with gestational diabetes , as colostrum can help prevent low blood sugar in the baby Source: Study finds breast milk expressing in pregnancy safe | The Royal Women's Hospital .

Many hospitals and healthcare facilities now have protocols for hand expressing during pregnancy. This means that healthcare providers provide guidance and equipment, such as syringes to collect colostrum Source: Antenatal Expressing | South Eastern Sydney Local Health District .

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When is manual pumping during pregnancy not safe?

Manual pumping is not recommended for women at increased risk of preterm birth. This applies, for example, to women with:

❌ Premature birth in a previous pregnancy.

❌ Placenta praevia (placenta lying too low).

❌ High blood pressure or other pregnancy complications Source: Prenatal pumping – Mamma Minds .

If you have any doubts about this, always consult your healthcare provider.

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What do midwives and lactation consultants notice?

Many healthcare providers see women worrying unnecessarily about inducing labor through pumping. They explain that:

✔ Oxytocin , the hormone released during nipple stimulation, can induce labor, but the amount released during manual pumping is small .

✔ During an orgasm, for example, much more oxytocin is released than with manual pumping. However, this usually does not lead to childbirth.

✔ In a healthy pregnancy close to your due date, hand pumping alone is unlikely to release enough oxytocin to induce labor Source: Colostrum - La Leche League USA .

Some women experience hard bellies or mild cramps while pumping, similar to Braxton-Hicks contractions . This is normal. However, stop immediately and consult your midwife if you experience regular or painful contractions.

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Conclusion: Is manual pumping safe during pregnancy?

• Yes , if you are healthy and your pregnancy is without complications.

• No , if you are at risk of premature birth or have other pregnancy problems.

Current scientific evidence shows that:

✔ Prenatal manual pumping from 36 weeks is safe during a normal pregnancy.

✔ It does not cause premature labor according to the DAME study .

✔ It has benefits for mothers who want to collect colostrum for their baby.

✔ Healthcare providers and lactation consultants see it as a useful preparation for breastfeeding .

If you have any doubts, please consult your midwife or gynaecologist.