Expressing colostrum before ELCS?

[Wrigglebum]

I was watching a breastfeeding DVD borrowed from the midwife and it really briefly mentioned something about expressing a little bit of colostrum before a CS. However I haven't heard anything else about this and a quick google was inconclusive.

I'm due to have an ELCS with DC2 and I got pretty good practice at expressing colostrum as DS had Tongue tie and couldn't feed for a few days. I also have a whole load of sterile syringes.

Does anyone know anything about whether I should try this? I guess the idea is just to express a couple of feeds worth, maybe two or three little syringes worth, in case of feeding problems after the operation? Would I just do it the day before and pop them in fridge then coolbag?!

There is some advice on Kellymom about CS and Bfing but it doesn't seem to mention expressing before the birth. Can't see how it would do any harm though.

That's a great link thanks! It's strange because it is an NHS DVD but the NHS site doesn't seem to have any info on it! Will try to ask the midwife or consultant if I remember.

The warning I saw on one site was that nipple stimulation when expressing could bring on labour and turn my relaxed ELCS into an EMCS!

Its fine to speak to the MW or Consultant as long as you remember that lots of HCP seem to have poor knowledge of bfing. It might be worth speaking to a Bfing Counsellor, she will be able to talk to you about storing your milk as well. Have you got the helpline numbers?

Should be able to find them with a quick google thanks, or I think they're on the leaflets the midwife gave me.

Bf with DS was such a struggle from the start with tongue tie and reflux so I'm preparing this time to try and make it work better!

Slightly different question, but does anyone know where you can order suitable syringes online for antenatal collection of colostrum? I know HCPs can sometimes be persuaded to provide them, but if not it would be good to know which ones to order and where to get them from directly.

I had GD and was encouraged by the diabetes midwife to express before birth as they were expecting me to have an early CS. I think it's just a little backup for in case feeding is difficult after the op? You can keep it in syringes in the freezer.

Pesto- my friend gave me some she had left over but I think you can get them from a pharmacy. I remember buying some over the counter to use for breastmilk when DS had a little eye infection . You want fairly little ones, I think they're only a couple of mls each. I'd check the size for you but they're currently in storage awaiting us painting the nursery!

I guess eBay will have someone selling them if you can't find them elsewhere.

Ah ok, so just like the normal tiny medicine syringes then? Is the rubber OK frozen? I'm sure someone once mentioned they were supposed to have a cap

I've just got ones like I was given at the hospital, but when I was given them it was to do and use straight away. I will prob only do it a couple of days before the CS, so they can go into one of those sterile milk storage bags in the fridge then in a cool bag.

Here's the number for the National Breastfeeding Line

Oh, and stick it in your mobile .

Done, thank you!

I had an emcs and was out for the count for 8 hours afterwards. DH and midwives propped DC against my nipple for breast feeding during that time - the photos are impressive

Perhaps this is something to consider?

I expressed before two of my three elcs' and it works very well as otherwise it can take a while for your milk to come in after a cs if your body hasnt gone through any part of labour. Therefore you end up with less sore nipples and enough supply on day 3/4 when your baby is upping it's intake.
Good luck!

i`'ve been doing this as DC1 was quite jaundiced and I want to be prepared if it happens again with DC2. I have expressed into little weaning pots (washed and sterilised) so it can be sucked up into a syringe from the pot if necessary. I have leaked a ton of colostrum over the side of the pot so no idea how I would express into a syringe!

It is a skill expressing into a syringe but easy when you get the hang of it!

You need to squeeze your boob until you get a little bead of colostrum on the nipple, then suck that up with the syringe IYSWIM. You'll need to sort of tap it down to bring any air to the top and push that out so you can fill up the syringe. I can't imagine getting out enough colostrum to fill up a pot .

DS also had a bit of jaundice but we were really lucky to be right next to a sunny window which seemed to do the trick.

I've done it twice so far - got about 15/20 mls I think so not exactly filling a pot but it's fair amount I think and the syringe method sounds a bit laborious for lazy me - I would rather be able to watch TV at the same time and lose some I think!

We have moved house now and have more sunny windows so hopefully if it does happen again we will get rid of it sooner. Would love not to have it at all really...

the jaundice that is!