QuestionI am 21 weeks pregnant, last menstrual cycle was 4/19/06, due date January 25th, 2007. I have had 5 pregnancies, 2 live births-both by c-section, one emergency 5/18/01, one scheduled 09/11/03. With my first pregnancy, I had no leaking before the birth of my daughter, who was born a month early due to pre-eclampsia. With my second child, I would occassionally get pin drops of colostrum starting around week 30. With this pregnancy, starting about two days ago, my shirt has been drenched, something that has only happened to me while I was breastfeeding, but never before birth. Could I be producing a lot of colostrum possibly because of multiple pregnancies and that I have previously breastfed my other children? Or should I be concerned about the amount of leakage and the possible connection with preterm labor? I have an appointment with my ob/gyn at the end of the month, but hate waiting. Is this problem worth addressing with my doctor? Thanks for your insight in advance.
AnswerHi Sarah ..
Every pregnancy is different, and our bodies will react differently to each one.
What you are expreriencing is completely normal. So dont worry ..you are just fine. But it is alarming when we experience something completely different, that didnt happen with previous pregnancies.
There is no set time for your breasts to start leaking colostrum. Every pregnancy is different, and there is no relationship between when you start leaking, how much you leak, or even if you leak at all and the amount of milk you will produce once your baby arrives. Some moms never leak at all, some can squeeze out a couple of drops, and others leak enough to soak through their clothes. All these variations are normal.
By all means, for peice of mind, speak to your doctor ..but he/she will tell you, you are perfectly fine :)
Thanks for writing :)
-Kristy
