Hand expressing antenatally and premature labour?

[beth27123]

Just curious if there is really a link between hand expressing antenatally and bringing on early labour? I've just started the technique as my local nurse suggested it might get me used to the idea of breast feeding and learning to relax around my own breasts (I can laugh and say, yes, I have isshoos with my boobs!). But on googling (good old google) there was a mention of it starting labour early?

Oxytocin, which causes the uterus to contract (synthetic oxytocin is one of the ways labour is induced), is released when you stimulate your nipples, including through expressing, e.g., here. Probably best left til you reach term?

Here we go, a 2003 Cochrane Review: Breast stimulation for cervical ripening and induction of labour.

The summary reads:

Breast stimulation appears beneficial in relation to the number of women not in labour after 72 hours, and reduced postpartum haemorrhage rates.
Breast stimulation causes the womb to contract, though the mechanism remains unclear. It may increase levels of the hormone oxytocin, which stimulates contractions. It is a non-medical method allowing the woman greater control over the process of attempting to induce labour. The review of six trials (719 women) found insufficient research to evaluate the safety of breast stimulation in a high-risk population and until safety issues have been fully evaluated, it should not be considered for use in this group.

How many weeks are you? Sometimes early hand expressing (at 36-37 weeks) is recommended to ripen the cervix, and also to collect colostrum if you're diabetic, but I'd agree not to do it before at least 36 weeks. Nowt wrong with breast massage/light strokes etc to get used to touch though! I'll be doing the same, my boobs are so sensitive that even an accidental touch gets the OH a telling off, so I need to toughen them up for feeding