title: A prospective evaluation of nipple stimulation techniques for contraction stress testing.
abstract: Nipple stimulation techniques for achieving a contraction stress test were evaluated prospectively in 1271 nipple stimulation contraction stress tests in 753 patients. Success was unrelated to parity, gestational age, or warm, moist towels but was related to the presence of spontaneous prestimulation contractions. Various stimulation techniques were equally successful in achieving a completed test in the presence of prestimulation contractions; however, continuous stimulation was more successful when contractions were absent. Hyperstimulation test results occurred in 21.5% of attempts and increased to 28.8% when bilateral, continuous stimulation was performed.
mesh_terms: D001940:Breast; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009558:Nipples; D010298:Parity; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014590:Uterine Contraction