Nipple stimulation/breast pump/ colostrum ?s

[luvmyrory]

Hi Mamas,
i've emailed my doula, but while I'm waiting to hear back I thought I would ask here as well.

I'm 39 weeks, and due to some medical reasons on my part, my doctors won't be letting me go past 40 weeks. So, we're trying to get things going naturally. I'm already like 4cms and 50%effaced (2nd child), I just need some good contractions to get going. It has been suggested to start nipple stimulation. Starting for a few minutes at a time and then repeat in a few hours and build up from there.

I just tried some nipple stimulation with my Medela PIS on the lowest setting. Colostrum immediately started being expressed. I stopped because I hadn't sanitized the bottles for saving it.
If I'm pumping, I know I can save the colostrum.... but will I still have some when he's first born then? If I express the colostrum now, will that cause my milk to come in? I know that prolactin is released right after the birth to initiate all this... I assume my breast will just keep making colostrum until that initial burst of prolactin... but, what do you think?

Thanks for any insight!

[averlee]

You're right, the colostrum should keep coming until after the baby's born, even if you pump some now. I leaked colostrum starting midway through the 2nd trimester.
I used nipple stimulation to get things going, too, although not a pump- I just rubbed them gently with my fingers. Maybe try masturbating? A big orgasm can sometimes get the contractions going. As can a good romp that ends with him ejaculating inside you, the semen has loads of hormones.