Colostrum after c-section

Anyone that had a c-section, when did your colostrum start coming in? I had an emergency c-section yesterday and my LO is currently in the neonatal unit and they asked me to hand express colostrum. I tried all day and nothing is coming out

Read more on Peanut

The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of Peanut.

Learn more about our guidelines.

Add a comment

I tried hand expressing before and never had luck.
I had a cat 3 csection (she decided to come 2 days before my planned) so I brought premade formula in case. I ended up not needing it as once she latched, colostrum was fine!

3 days post and milk has not come in yet but I'm still BF on demand. Midwife weighed her and said she must still be getting what she needs as weight is fine.

I hope this helps!

yes thank you ☺️

Can your partner try if you have one, I can never get anything but can if my partner does it

Could you possibly try asking the hospital if they have an electric pump to help with the stimulation? Especially since baby is in NICU they could offer you one to use to get your colostrum and eventually milk flowing. Good luck x

I asked the midwife at the ward and she said I should continue hand expressing they don’t recommend using a pump.

That makes sense since colostrum comes out in small quantities they probably won’t want you to miss it since the e pump can be a bit vigorous. Are you able to be next to baby in the neonatal unit while trying to express? If not have you got a picture of them on your phone?

I had an unplanned c section and had never been able to express until after I had baby, though we weren’t in NICU. Up to now on day 12 I’m still getting the smallest bits of milk which came in quite late. It’s very possible baby being in NICU is making you unable to relax which is so understandable so please take it easy on yourself! You’re doing amazing and one day you’ll forget this little difficult part I promise.

Ask your partner or someone supporting you to bring you your fave foods and drink lots of water, listen to a song you love, watch a show you like - anything to help you relax - and massage at the same time now and then. It’s only a matter of time xx

I was never able to hand express colostrum prior to birth or after birth however yesterday at 15 days post partum I was able to pump quite a bit after I had been leaking for a few days, I did have a day or two around 12 days pp where my boobs hurt and felt really full so not sure if then would’ve been a more optimal time to try the pump but personally glad I waited until that pain had subsided

thank you so much! I will try and express tomorrow whist with him. I also took lots of pictures of him. Will keep trying. X

Good luck hun, and if you haven’t seen this video this is what I used to help me express initially: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/expressing-your-breast-milk/expressing-breast-milk-by-hand/#hand

thank you for the video. I was finally able to express some colostrum last night and this morning 🙏🏾 I appreciate your help

I’m so pleased for you, well done! 💕💕💕

in our community

Anyone else up feeding their Bebe?

As above. Trying so hard to keep my eyes open

Oh my God, oh my God I hope this is not true!!!! I’m kind of scared

I’ve been throwing up and taking a shit all night!!! I just hope that it’s not what I think it is

Is this normal??

I’m 29 weeks pregnant and having really aching legs and they’re all lumpy and swollen. Above the knee and behind the knee . Should I be worried ? My legs have never looked like this up until a few days ago. ??

Anyone else experiencing this?

Gave birth (vagina) 5 days ago and yesterday morning and this morning getting lot of pain in my right bottom side and lower back

Induction experience

I just wanted to share my experience with being induced as I wasn’t sure what to expect and thought it may help others.

I opted for the foley balloon which was inserted at 8am Saturday morning, I had to stay in hospital due to hypertension and protein urine however usually you can just go home once this has been done. The insertion of the balloon was not painful, was slightly uncomfortable as there was slight pressure. I actually found having the cervix checked prior to be worse (again not painful at this point just uncomfortable) The balloon had little effect and after having it removed I was still only 1cm. Removal also was pain free and hardly even noticeable.

I then had my first dose of the gel and definitely noticed a difference, I started experiencing period like cramps almost immediately however they were light and manageable. After 6 hours I had another cervix check and although my cervix was soft it was still only 1cm and was only open at the front. I had another dose of the gel and felt an increase in pressure and more intense cramping where I now required pain relief (codeine). After another 6 hours I had another cervix check and I had now dilated to 2-3cm however was still quite difficult to get all the way through so a third gel was recommended which I agreed to.

Almost immediately I noticed the difference and was in considerable pain, I had paracetamol and codeine however the contractions had now become intense and a lot closer together (around 3 minutes apart). After a couple of hours I had my last cervix check and was 4cm and taken down to the Labour ward to have my waters broken and an epidural.

I had been in my room for approx 20minutes when my waters broke by themselves and I was now 10cm and actively pushing…. There was no time for the epidural and my beautiful girl arrived into the world within 2 minutes of pushing.

All in all I would say the cramps/contractions were manageable up until the third gel where it became pretty unbearable however it was for a very short time a gas and air helped take the edge off. The worst part about any of it was actually the later cervix checks where after stimulating the cervix my contractions were at their most painful.

If I had to be induced again I would skip the balloon and opt for the gels immediately as thy had a quicker effect and I would have been out a lot sooner if I had done this to begin with.

One more thing, I’ve never believed when people say “you forget the pain once they’re here” but I can honestly say this is true. It’s been 4 days and I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

It’s my birthday tomorrow.

Ok so I am going to be 35 years young. I can’t believe how much this life has thrown at me but it’s okay I’m a survivor. I am truly blessed to be alive. 🥳🧁🎂 The only downside is I won’t be celebrating my birthday because my man can’t take me out. So many emotions right now.