antenatal expression - no judging thank you!

[mommabeans1983]

I'm 37 weeks with my 2nd, and was wondering is anyone has experience with expressing breast milk prior to giving birth? NO I'm not trying to force labor, and from what I've read, expressing early doesn't have to.cause contractions if done correctly. I have MS and will only be able to nurse my daughter for a short time due to my need for disease modifying meds, because of that, I'd like to try and build up my production so that I can store as much BM as possible when it comes in. I get some people don't agree with this, and I'm not judging you for not understanding my disease or the position I'm in in trying to do what's best for my daughter while still taking care of my health. There has been a bit of literature on this in the MS community, but I'm looking for someone with personal experience.. MS or not.

[mommabeans1983]

Thanks so much for all the positive input ladies!!

[xxtashaleexx]

I hand expressed colostrum at 36wks onwards due to having diabetes. It didnt send me into labor i did it for 3 weeks (i was induced at 39wks) and had colostrum ready for his arrival and in the special care unit. Although it still took my milk 2 days after birth to come in. So if u want to start doing it ur basically considered full term anyway so if it were to bring on labor there should be no issues with baby. Congrats and goodluck =)

[Mommabanielle]

I've been reading up on it because I'm having twins and they will most likely be born prematurely. Not only that, but I worry that if I have a c-section I will be too medicated to produce what I need for two babies. I don't think you can get a huge amount, but I was reading that you can express colostrum 3 times a day for five minutes at a time. It's best to wait until 37 weeks, but I'm considering starting at 35 because I will be scheduled to deliver during week 36. So, I guess I don't have personal experience actually trying to express antenatally but I'm glad to hear about someone else giving it a shot. You can purchase medela colostrum collection containers on Amazon, and just googling it I've found a lot of helpful tips. Good luck! If you start, I'd like to hear how it goes for you. I am still going to wait for another week before I start.

[mommalombardi]

Good for you for trying to do what you think is best momma! I have no experience but maybe talk to your local lactation specialist?  They could maybe help ya move things along.

[mrsemmett]

I don't have personal experience but I used this app last yr while pregnant with my daughter & I saw a couple of ladies doing this to store milk so they had a gud supply so they cud get their baby ready for a bottle asap so it was easier when they went bsck to work :-) so ur not the only one to want to! I may do thr same as thos 1st few days of cluster feeding r hardwork & I have 3 other children & look after my nan so no maternity leave for me :-( lol

[mommabeans1983]

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