pumping before baby

finallymom16 · October 2013

My midwife told me that I could start pumping once a day for able 30 mins after 37w if I wanted to help my cervix progress some more or maybe jump start the labor process.

I pumped for a little while today and got an oz of colostrum. Do I freeze it? He's going to be breast fed until about 3 or 4 weeks old, then I plan on introducing a bottle and pumping part time so he and I both will be prepared for when I go back to work. Would it even make sense for me to freeze the odd oz here and there? I thought it might come in handy to have some frozen in case we have trouble latching, that way I can bring it to the hospital and won't have to give him sugar water or supplement with formula.

Any other mama's that have done this? I hate to just dump it down the sink. Is there any nutritional Benefit he will get from this at all? I'm so lost when it comes to bfing and pumping I will take any and all advice. DD was ffed so this is all very new. Any advice will be much appreciated. I also posted this to the bfing board.

JaysonandKristin · October 2013

How far along are you?

gwenneh · October 2013

Yes, freeze it. If you don't need it, great, but it's worth freezing.

finallymom16 · October 2013

Ill be 38w tuesday. I didnt start doing this until today. I've been 3cm and 50% since 36 weeks and my midwife is stripping my membranes Tuesday. I figured it can't hurt. I've been on Kelly mom but I have top do it all from mobile because my laptop is a pos and won't be fixed until Monday, so I've not been able to dig around on there line I wanted to.

JaysonandKristin · October 2013

Freeze it.

What happens is when the baby and placenta are delivered, then the milk production is stimulated by hormone changes, so while you're producing colostrum now, you'll continue to produce colostrum for awhile once you're no longer carrying baby and placenta. So, go ahead and freeze this stuff, and if you need it, it's there, if not, no biggie!!

Definitely check out Kellymom some more when you get a chance. And, you're stimulating contractions when you pump -- pumping releases oxytocin which causes uterine surges.

ETA: Clarity.

bglovesbabyk · October 2013

I need to learn how to use my pump and was afraid to try. Nice to know I can start soon as I will be 38 weeks Tues as well.

finallymom16 · October 2013

I'm glad I made the decision to come on here and ask about it! Thank you ladies so much! I hated the thought of wasting it if it would benefit him to have it. You Ladies are the best

babymama619 · October 2013

I'd check with a lactation consultant. The things I've read about nipple stimulation say you need hours of it per day for it to do anything to help you along with labor. If you're not going to introduce the bottle until 4 weeks, baby will be on to milk by then so the colostrum will likely get tossed.

Also weren't we all just so happy about the ACOG making 39 weeks full term? What's with trying to hurry up a baby that isn't even 38 weeks yet?!?!

beccaxbooxbear · October 2013

I'm with babymama619.. what's the rush? If lo wants to keep cooking why not let him if there's no extenuating circumstances?

inlove0509 · October 2013

Freeze indeed.

But I agree with above and am surprised a midwife is rushing the start of labor before 40 weeks. Is there a reason she is rushing?

finallymom16 · October 2013

Well I wrote a huge response and my phone freaked out and deleted it. She has reason to believe my due date might be off by a few weeks ( long story) plus ive had ctx every 5-7 mins time able for two weeks. Dilated to a 3 and 50% since 36w so she suggestedbit to POSSIBLY get the ball rolling. Since I am already having ctx and am showing signs of early labor.

alidubes · October 2013

Dilation and effacement mean nothing unless you are in active labor. There is actually no reason to check how dilated you are until you are in labor. A far as the pumping goes, I wouldn't be encouraging that to other moms. Once you deliver your body takes over and knows what do to. I am not sure why everyone is in such a rush , babies come when they are ready,

finallymom16 · October 2013

I realize all babies will come when they are ready, my ctx have not increased or gotten stronger during our since I pumped the ONE time. And i never thought it would instantly put me into labor. My midwifes opinion on it, is that pumping is just like using EPO or raspberry leaf tea... it either works or it doesn't, and it COULD help my cervix progress a little more. I just wondered what to do with the colostrum that I produced as I didn't want to dump it out. I was just following my midwifes instructions

finallymom16 · October 2013

CFox815 said:
There's a sticky at the top of the page for November 13 moms who need breastfeeding help. Did you consult that?

I read it a while back when it was first posted and then I completely forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder!!!

finallymom16 · October 2013

No, she just said if I wanted to try and help my cervix along I could try pumping for 30 minds a day, epo and red raspberryleaf tea. It was kinda a passing thing so i I assume she just forgot? Or maybe she didn't think I'd produce as much as I did. .. or maybe I'm just a Dumbass for not knowing to begin with?

Justnooch · October 2013

All I could think of when I read this was "ow!" I nursed my son until about a month ago, and it was getting pretty uncomfortable at the end. I can't imagine pumping right now, especially if your body seems to be moving along nicely without it. I'd put the pump away and read a book or something like that which will be harder to do once your LO arrives.

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