trying to express colostrum pre birth but nothing's happening

[littleomar]

I'm 34 weeks with twins and will be induced/CS at 37 weeks if they don't arrive before.

I've got gestational diabetes and have been trying to hand express colostrum so I can freeze a supply and minimise the need to give them formula when they're born. I have been managing to control blood sugar through diet - does that mean they are less likely to need sugar?

I've looked at a couple of Youtube videos and LLL/Kellymom for technique. I've been trying every day and spending a few minutes on each boob but i'm not getting anything out (except a couple of drops from one boob when I tried in the shower once).

My boobs are bigger than my hands so I can't get the optimum c-shape - I've been using the other hand to kind of squeeze in the side. I think I'm in the right place - behind the areola, and not squeezing on/towards the nipple.

Any suggestions? Is it just too early? Should I try a pump? My hospital has Baby Friendly status - should there be someone I can contact for help?

TIA and sorry for long post

Do you have a local support group/ baby cafe run by a children's centre you could get to. It's great that you're thinking about this now. Good luck

It's too early.

I had GD and tried to do the same but had no success before birth at all. Don't panic - it will come, and the midwives said to me after the birth if you keep putting them to the breast their sugars will be ok. I only had one baby but treated the 3 hourly bloods like a challenge and took great pleasure in seeing if we could 'win' each time. We did!

Too early - very few women would get much by hand at 34 weeks pg. Speak to the midwife for more help.

I think it's too early, and please don't try a pump - the nipple stimulation can stimulate contractions. Best talk to your MW.

Thanks all. Is it worth trying in a couple of weeks, or should I just wait until they get here?

As an aside, I haven't got a midwife. Consultant led, which appears to mean the midwives aren't allowed to do anything except check my pee. I'm assuming the consultant isn't going to be the one hanging around when I'm in labour but nobody's been very forthcoming about what actually happens on the day.

Hi littleomar, I started this at 37 weeks because my baby had a birth defect and needed surgery after birth - my midwife suggested expressing so there was a supply of colostrum available for when she would be able to take proper food. At first I hardly got anything (and felt really odd doing it, I would sit on the bed with the dog staring at me!!!) half a ml at first but after a while it increased , I was getting maybe 5ml from each boob, so not a huge amount and doing this maybe 4 times a day. I think the colostrum is made from about 20 weeks.

I always massaged beforehand with some moisturiser and after a shower helped. i just squeezed down with my hand starting at the top of the breast and finishing at the areola- it would take about 5 minutes before anything started to appear, and I would scoop it up into a syringe (tricky at first but you get the hang of it!) - and then work round the boob, i would probably spend about half an hour each time I did this so I would say just keep trying for a bit longer each time it sounds like your technique is good. The other thing you could do is check with your hospital (mine had a knitted boob that they use to demonstrate the technique to me!!).

I would recommend persevering with it, I had a really abundant supply of milk after she was born and I am sure this early expressing helped. However if it doesn't work then it isn't the end of the world!

Good luck!