Expressing colostrum at 30 weeks - cramping, Braxton Hicks?

[jezza1234]

Hi all,
In need of some advice please - I got very excited that my milk was coming in at 30 weeks and had a go at expressing colostrum for around 5 minutes. Now I am having period-like cramping and pains. Is this Braxton Hicks? When should I worry that I’m going into premature labour? Thanks in advance

You’re not suppose to do this before 37 weeks. You need to ring the labour and seek their advice.

Expressing too early can cause you to go into labour that's why it's not advised to do it that early.....I'd call your midwife

Its rare expressing colostrum brings on actual labour its hopefully just braxton hicks. However, it has happened which is why you arnt supposed to do it defo give your labour and maternity a call for advice.

If squeezing your nipples or expressing could genuinely cause labour there would be nipple tweaking inductions going on in every home and hospital in the world. It is unlikely to say the least. However you could be dehydrated which can cause stronger BH on top of trying to stimulate colostrum. My last pregnancy I started collecting it around 33-34 weeks, but I was leaking quite a bit at that point. I actually used a pump to make it easier on me. I didn't bother collecting it in previous pregnancies. Will have a try sometime around or after those dates this time, only 32 weeks as yet. I get strong BH throughout all of my pregnancies though, tiredness and dehydration are generally to culprits and occasionally over exertion.

Thanks for responses - went into triage and all looked fine, baby’s heartbeat and movement fine and no sign that I was going into labour. Still had some pain into this afternoon but eased off now. Will be keeping my hands off my boobs from now until i’m full term!