Pregnant... ok to start pumping early?

[momma_of_2]

Ok... My history...1st child, Caleb:
Perfect latch. Ate well, gained weight. DREAM. Then at about 4 weeks my breast really started to hurt. I went to the hospital when they became extremely red and hot. They let me borrow their pump (to use in a room there) and told me to drain my breast because they were engorged. I came out of the room with 8 oz... they were expecting 2-3, 4 MAX. They now understood why I was in tears. They then asked me to come back everyday for 1 week and pump about 1/2 empty... not all the way, or I would just produce more, and therefore continue to be engorged. However, after 1 week of this, they told me I had mastitis and had to discontinue feeding :( . I let myself slowly drain, until I stopped producing (if I "expressed" I would still get 3-4 drops, even after 2 yrs :confused: ).

Now... my dilema...2nd child, Mya:
I am currently 30 weeks pregnant. My breast are no longer waiting for me to "express" them... they just go. The liquid released is no longer clearish, but mixed with white. I believe this is my colostrum. Because I am producing so much already, I was considering pumping and saving. However I have concerns:
1) Will this cause pre-mature labor, even if done in short intervals once a day?
2) Is there any nutritional value in this "milk" yet, or would it be a waste?
3) Will this cause me to engorge again? or be forced to pump more often then I would like (considering I am still pregnant and have a 2 yr old running around)?

Basically, what are the risks involved? Is it worth it, if no risks? What are some alternatives if it is risky?

Any advise...(based on facts please)
Thank You!

[momma_of_2]

would it be the same as breastfeeding while pregnant? (ie: still nursing an 8 month old, and pregnant) because I have heard that is safe during a "normal" pregnancy...

[jodibug]

I hope someone has an answer for you.

My first thought is that I was told not to have any nipple stimulation or it could cause pre-term labor.

But the previous poster is correct in that a lot of women nurse while pregnant, so I can't see why there would be a difference.

I think I would ask your OB and see what s/he thinks. S/he will also know your history and if s/he thinks you are in any danger of preterm labor or not. Good Luck!

[ima062002]

1) Will this cause pre-mature labor, even if done in short intervals once a day?

It might.

2) Is there any nutritional value in this "milk" yet, or would it be a waste?

There is always nutritional value in your milk. Colostrum is a finite substance if I remember right and even though you are dripping, pumping it would go to waste unless you fed it back to your baby. But there is no need for that since you'll be making what your baby needs.

3) Will this cause me to engorge again? or be forced to pump more often then I would like (considering I am still pregnant and have a 2 yr old running around)?

You seem to have an abundant supply and any kind of pumping is interfering with that supply, i.e. INCREASING it even more because you are signaling your body that it needs to make more than your baby is taking.

What it sounds to me happened the first time around is that you had a plugged duct that was not taken care of and it turned into mastitis and you got really BAD advice about stopping to nurse. If you ever get mastitis again you would need to take antibiotics (most likely) and nurse often until the condition passes.

With your next baby aim to nurse 10-12 times a day; if your baby is extra sleepy that means waking baby (please get back to us if you are having a hard time, there are things you can do to help baby stay awake). Support your feeding breast at all times in the beginning. Change feeding positions, and see if your baby likes more than one position. This helps to prevent plugs.

Get a supplement called lecithin and take from birth on. It helps prevent plugged ducts/mastitis.

Make sure you don't wear a bra with wires or one that is ill fitted (too tight).

Do NOT pump after the birth. If you are uncomfortably full, hand express until you feel relief and ice your breasts often.

For oversupply there are ways to help lessen that. But let's see first how things are going with the next baby. If you feel that your baby is getting way too much; sputters and chokes and your milk sprays furiously all over the place then you might want to consider block feeding, i.e. feeding twice from the same side and ice the other in the meantime. You can also take ibuprofen, as a safety precaution.

Also, read through this link with deals with mastitis and the reasons for recurrent mastitis:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/recurrent-mastitis.html

[Amy_G_]

If you pump now, your body will make more milk. I doubt that you'd bring in your mature milk/lose your colostrum without the hormonal changes of giving birth, but I woldn't want to risk it. I wouldn't want to HAVE to pump at 30 ish weeks pregnant, and if you start now, you'll probably have to continue until baby is born. kwim?

[Supermom]

From what I understand this could cause premature labor. I know it was a suggestion to get my labor started.

You will most likely cause yourself to become engorged if you begin to pump now.

Colostrum is the most amazing stuff! It's got antibodies and lots of good things that can't be supplemented any other way for your baby. But this stuff hangs around for the first few days/a week after delivery so baby has time to get plenty.

Hope that helps! :)