Colostrum Harvesting?

[tilly2019]

Hi, 33+4 with twins, deciding birth plan on Friday but due to one of them being small and under 3rd centile (currently estimated 3.7lb) they're talking about delivering me a little earlier at 36 weeks. Provided baby's growth hasn't dropped again at Friday's scan, in which case it could be sooner.

I am wondering when to start harvesting colostrum? Don't want to bring on labour but also getting closer to delivery date, not sure how long I should harvest for?

Thanks x

Hi OP, probably something to talk to your midwife/obstetrician about as they don't usually recommend it until 37 weeks as it can potentially induce labour. It might feel reassuring for you to know you have a few feeds in the freezer in case things are tricky, but if you have any issues feeding and need to express it's usually better to try expressing at the time as it can help establish supply. Do you know how to hand express?

@MrsS11

Hi OP, probably something to talk to your midwife/obstetrician about as they don't usually recommend it until 37 weeks as it can potentially induce labour. It might feel reassuring for you to know you have a few feeds in the freezer in case things are tricky, but if you have any issues feeding and need to express it's usually better to try expressing at the time as it can help establish supply. Do you know how to hand express?

Thanks for the reply! I actually had a scan yesterday and they've got to deliver the twins next week now due to reduced growth!

The fetal medicine dr said not to express as it can bring on labour (presenting twin is breech so can't have natural labour) and he said the same as you - I might be able to breastfeed anyway which is best, and if I can't I'll have time to hand express my colostrum anyway and get my oxytocin etc going to give me a better chance at bf!

One less thing for me to worry about! Xx

Aw exciting good luck for next week!

Hi, I’m wanting to harvest too but can’t decide which syringes to get(or how to do it effectively!)

@Horrorbags

Hi, I’m wanting to harvest too but can’t decide which syringes to get(or how to do it effectively!)

Your midwife can give you the syringes for free and advice on hand expressing.

I tried colostrum harvesting at 37+5 and went into spontaneous labour at 37+6 so i would only recommend it if you are prepared for labour. My hospital bag wasnt even packed

Having said that, i got no colostrum at all before labour, but DD was in the NICU as she had sepsis and i was able to hand express after she was born, before she was strong enough to bf, so not to worry at all if you don't get any

OP - good luck for next week!

Thanks @GuidingSpirit I’ve been leaking colostrum for quite a while now so I think I’ll get a decent amount. I’m 30 weeks now so wont be doing it just yet, but my babies are always premature-29, 30 and 35 weeks-so I wanted to have some ready. But at the same time, don’t want to bring on labour!

I've been trying with no luck

An orgasm is more likely to bring on labour than colostrum harvesting. I did it from 36 weeks.