It is undeniable that a pregnant woman with special scrupulousness refers to her health and the changes that occur with her body. The most "sensitive", in this sense, are the primipara. Therefore, the appearance of colostrum during pregnancy causes an incredible number of questions and concerns. We will try to answer the first and dispel the latter.
Colostrum during pregnancy is a natural phenomenon
The allocation of drops of colostrum even at the stage of bearing a child is an absolutely natural process, as is its absence. It begins to appear in the female breast as early as the second trimester, although a woman may not notice it if the liquid does not flow out of the nipples. The allocation of colostrum in the early stages of pregnancy means that the body is intensively preparing for future childbirth and full-fledged natural feeding of the child. Initially, the consistency of the liquid is thick and sticky, yellowish in color, and closer to the delivery, the color of the colostrum becomes transparent. It does not have a smell, and if it seems unpleasant to a woman, it is better to discuss this matter with an obstetrician.
If the allocation of colostrum is absent
Do not panic if pregnancy comes to a logical conclusion, and the colostrum is not there. This does not mean that you can not breastfeed your baby. The appearance of colostrum in pregnant women may coincide with the moment of childbirth or the first application of a child. Just need to understand that every organism behaves differently during pregnancy. That is why there are no exact terms, determining, in how many weeks colostrum appears. Do not try to independently "evoke" the allocation, using various folk remedies and techniques that are so popular with young mothers.
Colostrum will appear exactly at the right time, and the process can trigger such factors as:
- increased air temperature, because of which there is an expansion of the duct in the chest;
- the reason for the allocation of colostrum can be intensive massage of the pregnant or grinding of the mammary glands;
- the transferred stress and so on.
Do I need to express colostrum?
Do not need to do this in any case! Harmless, at first glance, squeezing the colostrum from the chest provokes the production of the hormone oxytocin, and in huge quantities. This is fraught with the appearance of the tone of the muscles of the uterus and, as a consequence, the threat of miscarriage or premature birth.
What to do with intensive allocation of colostrum during pregnancy
The modern industry has taken care of solving this temporary inconvenience, and invites future mothers to use special panty liners . This hygiene product is able to absorb excess colostrum or milk, leaving a feeling of comfort and confidence. Nuance: you need to change them very often, because in this nutrient medium, bacteria are actively multiplying. Isolation of colostrum during pregnancy requires a woman to carefully personal hygiene and frequent washing of mammary glands with warm water without soap or gel. This is especially true in the hot season.
What to do if colostrum disappeared during pregnancy?
This is absolutely no reason to worry and worry about what you can not feed. Perhaps the body simply "gave up" all efforts to prepare for childbirth and the full development of the baby. Another cause may be a slight hormonal failure.
Can such a phenomenon be a sign of an abnormal bearing process?
Yes, since colostrum is the result of active work of hormones and uterine contractions. Therefore, if there is a threat of miscarriage, and a woman observes the sudden appearance of discharge from the chest, and in large quantities, it is worth immediately informing the observing doctor.