34 weeks pregnant - should i express

[LexyB]

have had lots of tightenings for the past week and been in hospital for several days. Home again now on rest. Body obviously ready for baby as since sunday evening felt like milk coming in on the third day - got so bad that last night i got my breast pump and expressed over 2oz from each side in about 5 mins total. Was quite shocked - knew i felt full but still! had to throw it away as nothing sterile. Breasts still full today - thing is should i carry on expressing. will the baby still get colostrum once its born or will it turn to milk while i'm expressing. I am half temted to express and store milk so if baby does come early have some ready.

i would be tempted to leave them alone for now, if you get to uncomfortable you could hand express a small amount, just enough to give some relief. no need to store milk in case baby comes early cos it will already be on tap in you. advice re:storing milk has changed now so you should only be storing expressed milk if you really need to, much better for baby if its as fresh as possible.

No, don't express yet as you'll send your body into overdrive and produce more as it is replaced. IIRC, nipple stimulation can also lead to labour which at 34 weeks would not be ideal.

I would just use tons of pads to mop up and a well fitting bra to keep the norks under control. Then just sit back and wait for DB to pitch up when he / she is ready.

HTH.

if you have gestional diabetes (dont think u do) then maybe express./ i remember mears saying about expressing and freezing before birth to help baby afterwards with blood sugars.

not now, of couse, later on.

I have never thought about that before, I suppose its not out of the question to express if you are uncomfortable, I mean lots of mothers are still breastfeeding older siblings, through pregnancy and birth.

I think it can bring on premature labour - and at 34 weeks it is still a bit earlier than you would like.

Ask your midwife.

Id guess your body would run out of colostrum and your baby will be getting the wrong milk when its born. I leaked from 16 weeks like mad, its normal I think to have it there, but I wouldnt express.

p.s I had tightenings at 34/35 weeks and they thought I might go into labour... son was born 10 days overdue.

sorry for hijack - gracesmum - can you tell me how the storing guidelines for express milk has changed?

Sorry for interupting - hope you get the answers you need

Does'nt your body produce more colostrum after giving birth? Something to do with pregnancy hormones leaving the body maybe.

I'm 34+2 and I've noticed that my boobs have started to leak a small amount of colostrum. Should I be expressing this or is it too early? If so, how is the best way to express?