Evaluating the effect of nipple stimulation during labour on labour progression in term pregnant women

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effect of nipple stimulation during labour on duration of latent and active phases of labour in the term pregnant women. Pregnant women (222) were divided into two groups of nipple stimulation and control. Duration of latent and active phases of labour, the number of women treated with oxytocin, rate of caesarean section (C-section) and foetal outcomes were compared. The median of the latent phase duration of labour in the intervention and control groups was 3.2 (1.3–6.3) and 4.8 (0.8–3.0) h, respectively (p = .008); however, the median of active phase duration was 2.3 (1.4–3.0) in the intervention group and 2.5 (2.0–3.3) in control group, which was not significantly different (p = .249). Additionally, the number of women treated with oxytocin in nipple stimulation group was significantly (p = .001) less than the control group. More studies are needed to evaluate optimum frequency and duration of nipple stimulation during labour. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? In limited studies, nipple stimulation is considered as a low-complication method for stimulating labour at onset. What do the results of this study add? Nipple stimulation can be applied during labour for accelerating latent phase and reducing oxytocin infusion. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Nipple stimulation can be applied as a non-pharmacological and non-invasive method allowing patient to control her own labour progression more effectively.