Expressing before birth?

[DoingTheSwanThing]

Can anyone share any experience or advice?

I'm currently 35+2 with twins and have managed to develop preeclampsia impressively quickly, hence the team are keen to get babies out ASAP - provisionally booked to start Sunday evening (next available induction slot) unless my bloods get worse sooner. They've had steroids and are thankfully really good sizes (6lb & 5lb2 on scan estimate yesterday). I'm trying not to develop a guilt complex...

I would love to be able to avoid giving formula, especially with a reasonable chance of them going to SCBU :o(
We've been warned they're likely to struggle with maintaining blood sugars at this age so need frequent early feeds.

Have had a chat with a couple of the midwives about it and they've said they'll arrange syringes etc... I'm sure it'll all become clear but would love to hear from someone who has actually done it.... Anyone??

Please don't bash me about triggering labour etc, there's a similar thread on NM where predictably OP got plenty of tellings off.... Despite very clearly stating her diabetes team had advised it and fully supported! Anyhow, my consultant wants babies out ASAP so would probably be quite pleased with that side-effect.

Thanks in advance

Not sure how the random inappropriate grin got there, SCBU definitely more

It's great that you're getting prepared :) Your breastmilk is the best food for them, especially if they are in SCBU.

I certainly won't bash you for triggering labour, as you said it is often advised for mums that have GD. If you have chatted about it with your MWs and they are behind you then there's no reason why you shouldn't.

Here is a pdf about ante-natal expression. You might want to contact a local BF counsellor as well for some extra support.

This might be helpful too. Good luck!

i've never heard of it triggering labour. plenty of people tandem feed and so are breastfeeding an older children throughout pregnancy! and given that your consultant wants them out asap it won't be a problem

i think it's a very good idea, and would also advise you to read up on breastfeeding prem babies, or ask on here for advice because obviously if you can feed them direct then that will help immensely too

Thank you both
I'd seen the LLL page but the Birmingham document is handy, good googling!
Will give it my best shot

i was told it could trigger labour
(16 days late)

i did express colostrum before birth.

if your babies are likely to be the scbu then the earlier you start expressing, the better - while you're not worried about the babies and giving birth.

good luck :)

I don't have experience of this but have type 1 diabetes so was thinking if doing it this time.

Anyway what I wanted to say was that dd was born at 36+1 and had trouble maintaining sugar levels. She was tube fed to start with and only needed 7ml of colostrum at a time so anything that you can get would probably be a great help plus then you might get a good chunk of sleep post childbirth without worrying about expressing. It only took dd a few days to manage her sugar levels. Good luck!