<Is it remotely possible that Barbara's mother-to-be (the one who rented a breastpump prenatally to "deal with engorgement" ) was actually planning to use the pump to induce labor?> Each of my daughters was well over 2 weeks overdue and each very obviously carrying a large baby, one 17 years ago, and one 9 years ago. I was familiar with the article about the Israeli research with inducing labor in grand multiparae with a breast pump. As a CB educator and OB nurse, I was also familiar with the not-so-joyous rigors of pitocin induction, especially as it was then practiced in our hospital. I had "connections" whereby I could obtain a good electric breastpump. I gave my eldest daughter the induction article to read, and let her make her own decision as to whether she wanted to give it a try. When it was my youngest daughter's turn, her sister simply told her of her experience of trying to induce labor. Though each probably ripened her cervix quite a bit during the hours using the pump in the manner described in the article, each ultimately required pitocin augmentation or several attempts at induction. Each eventually had a C.Section for "failure to progress" in 18+ hours of labor, and each had a baby over 9 #. I was there for both labors and C.S's, and I am convinced that they received excellent care and the longest possible trial consistent with the safety of the baby. In retrospect, perhaps too long. But the good news is that both of them had the same fortunate results mentioned in the Israeli study-"an early and copious milk supply with little or no engorgement", (and virtually no nipple tenderness.) Due to bilateral collapsed lungs, my youngest grandson was transferred to the local children's hospital within 12 hours. The morning of my daughter's 3rd day postpartum, when I arrived to visit, she handed me FOUR 45 cc. volufeeds full of colostrum/transitional milk to take to him, and asked me "Mom, do you think this will be enough?" By the time she was released on her fifth day, he was in an open crib with all tubes, etc. out, and ready to spend the day with her in the comfy privacy of the special small breastfeeding lounge, and to go home the next day. In my experience observing the outcome as a grandmother, this would not be such a bad idea to be considered more often, perhaps offered routinely by the obstetrician as a starting option. Is this now being done anywhere? If so, regardless of whether it induces labor without further intervention, is anyone noting a better effect on early breastfeeding than that of multiple IV's/pitocin? K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC Dayton, Ohio ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html