I delivered a baby at about 5 1/2 months. Because of this, I've been considered a high-risk patient. Later I birthed a full-term baby and breastfed her. When she was 14 months old I discovered I was pregnant again. I continued nursing her. This new baby's placenta began to detach, so I was ordered on bedrest but not to stop nursing. After 3 weeks, everything was back to normal. I carried this baby 2 weeks past his due date and delivered a perfectly healthy and normal 12 1/2 lb baby (vaginally, side-lying and no tearing, by the way).
-Julia Goforth
It is my understanding that, although stimulation of the breast does produce oxytocin (for milk letdown) that contractions will only happen if the receptors for that hormone are present in the pregnant woman's body. The presence of oxytocin receptors peaks near the end of pregnancy as part of the dance of the beautifully intricate endocrine system pregnant women have. Perhaps your client's oxytocin receptors peak early in pregnancy; however, she may have other factors (nutrition, weight, smoking, stress) that predisposed her to preterm labour. I know many women (including myself) who have nursed a toddler through their pregnancies, with no preterm labour Unfortunately, I know of no studies on this subject, but myths abound.
-Trudy Noort
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 35, Aug 27, 1999)
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