Presented by Christy Cannon, CNM, WHNP-BC · The Midwife & More
When labor slows or a body needs a gentle nudge, midwives sometimes suggest breast or nipple stimulation before reaching for medication. The reason is simple physiology: stimulating the nipples prompts the body to release its own oxytocin, the same hormone that drives contractions.
This appeals to midwives because it works with the body rather than overriding it. Encouraging natural oxytocin through nipple stimulation, along with privacy, dim lighting, movement, and emotional reassurance, can help labor find its rhythm using the least disruptive option that fits the moment.
As with any technique in a trial of labor after cesarean, it is done thoughtfully and with monitoring. Stimulation can strengthen contractions, so a midwife watches how the mother and baby respond and adjusts accordingly, always keeping safety at the center.
Educational note. This video is general education, not medical advice. VBAC candidacy is individual and should be reviewed with a qualified provider who knows your history.
Christy Cannon, CNM, WHNP-BC is the first Certified Nurse Midwife to offer holistic birth services at Los Robles Hospital, Thousand Oaks, blending personal, one-on-one midwifery care with the safety net of a hospital and an on-call OB. If you are hoping for a VBAC, the first step is a conversation.
Serving Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Moorpark, Malibu, Hidden Hills and the surrounding Ventura County and West LA communities.