[The contraction stress test by nipple stimulation: an alternative to the oxytocin test]

Abstract

Breast stimulation as a "contraction stress test" has been proposed as an alternative test to oxytocin to check the well being of the fetus. 162 breast stimulation tests were carried out in 146 patients with an indication for a "contraction stress test". The stress rate was 66.6%. 8% of the tests showed hyperstimulation without any fetal complications. There was no difference between the types of patients where the test was successful, failed or resulted in hyperstimulation. Where the tests failed, oxytocin tests were carried out. The time needed for these was, on the whole, double that taken for the breast stimulation tests. The two techniques can be comparable, both from correlation of the results with the indication and the outcome for the infant. The mothers tolerated the breast stimulation test very well indeed.