Colostrum harvesting

My midwife said 37 as then you are full term

I started early. The risk is very low and I wanted to get as much as I can before baby arrives x

I started at 36 and she arrived at bang on 40 weeks. She’s 6 months now and I still have some in the freezer for when she’s poorly

There's some conflicting statements about the safe time to collect colostrum from. It's more that the only data we have to say that it DOESN'T bring on labour and is safe was done on women who were more than 36 weeks (the DAME trial in Australia). Therefore 36 weeks is widely accepted as a safe time to start

I’ve done it from 36 weeks in both my pregnancies. The risk of it causing labour is actually so low. The science behind it is that hand expressing can be nipple stimulation, and it is nipple stimulation that releases oxytocin which causes uterine contractions. But you also get oxytocin from sex, watching a funny film, hugging people, laughing… so take that as you will x

I tried last night at 37 weeks and got nothing x

I’d you’re already leaking then go ahead and collect and freeze when you have enough. But don’t hand express until 37 and I wouldn’t pump until 38

My midwife said from 36 weeks is fine x

My midwife said at 37 weeks as bu then you’re classed as full term x

Honestly the evidence for it bringing on labour is very weak. Think about it, plenty of women breastfeed while pregnant, and if a bit of nipple stimulation brought on labour that easily there would be no need for medical inductions It's probably not worth trying until you're 37 weeks purely because you're less likely to get anything out of your boobs until you're closer to the birth, but you're not going to induce yourself just by squeezing your nips 😄

I’ve already been leaking quite a bit during pregnancy from week 17 so I think I’ll be able to express from now. I’ll give it a try and see if it works x

My midwife said it was safe from 37 weeks. 37.5 atm and started today!

My midwife said 36 weeks but that there are some cases in which it shouldn't be done as increased risk of preterm labour. Would probably be worth a call or email to ask when would be best.