A couple random questions...

[narockshard]

I'm 33 weeks tomorrow and have yet to feel a Braxton Hicks contraction--at least I'm pretty sure. I mean, I would know if I had them, right? Is it normal to NOT have or feel them?

Also, for some reason I'm concerned because I haven't had any indication that there's any milk or colostrum in my breasts yet. They have been dry as a bone so far. Am I going to have anything for my newborn to eat right away?!

Maybe I just need to wait until I'm closer, but I feel like I'm destined to have this kid inside me for 2 weeks past my due date or something 

[catbear]

I am 38 weeks pregnant and pretty sure I haven't felt a BH contraction yet either. I don't think it's anything to be concerned about.

[D2M]

Same here. I'm almost 36 weeks and haven't had any BH, nor has anything leaked from my boobs. I just finished a breastfeeding book that recommended hand expressing some colostrum in your late third tri to freeze and save. I half-heartedly squeezed and poked around but got nada. I'll ask my doctor about it at my next appointment, but I'm not worried. The book also said you are more likely to leak if you have bigger breasts, which definitely does not describe me. So again, I'm not worried.

[flgirl]

My first pregnancy was like that. No contractions at all. With each subsequent one they have come earlier. I don't think it is any indication of anything.

[narockshard]

May 5, 2014 8:59:12 GMT -5 D2M said:

Same here. I'm almost 36 weeks and haven't had any BH, nor has anything leaked from my boobs. I just finished a breastfeeding book that recommended hand expressing some colostrum in your late third tri to freeze and save. I half-heartedly squeezed and poked around but got nada. I'll ask my doctor about it at my next appointment, but I'm not worried. The book also said you are more likely to leak if you have bigger breasts, which definitely does not describe me. So again, I'm not worried.

I've tried a couple of times to squeeze and got nothing either. I have big breasts NOW, but definitely did not before becoming pregnant. We do have a BFing class coming up in a few weeks so that probably will be a good time to ask questions too. Thanks for the input!

[MrsDarcy]

May 5, 2014 8:51:40 GMT -5 narockshard said:

I'm 33 weeks tomorrow and have yet to feel a Braxton Hicks contraction--at least I'm pretty sure. I mean, I would know if I had them, right? Is it normal to NOT have or feel them?

Also, for some reason I'm concerned because I haven't had any indication that there's any milk or colostrum in my breasts yet. They have been dry as a bone so far. Am I going to have anything for my newborn to eat right away?!

Maybe I just need to wait until I'm closer, but I feel like I'm destined to have this kid inside me for 2 weeks past my due date or something 

With my first pregnancy, I don't recall a lot of BHs. I felt them every now and then. You might be getting them and not realizing it.

Last time (or this time so far) my breasts never leaked. I had no issues breastfeeding right away, and did so for 13 months.

I think you're ok on both fronts. Consider yourself lucky!

[Saudade]

May 5, 2014 8:51:40 GMT -5 narockshard said:

I'm 33 weeks tomorrow and have yet to feel a Braxton Hicks contraction--at least I'm pretty sure. I mean, I would know if I had them, right? Is it normal to NOT have or feel them?

Also, for some reason I'm concerned because I haven't had any indication that there's any milk or colostrum in my breasts yet. They have been dry as a bone so far. Am I going to have anything for my newborn to eat right away?!

Maybe I just need to wait until I'm closer, but I feel like I'm destined to have this kid inside me for 2 weeks past my due date or something 

I didn't have BH with my first pregnancy. This time around though I got them super early. 

Don't worry about milk yet. Your baby's stomach is super tiny when born and it doesn't take much at all to fill it (or empty it) which is why they feed so often. 

[statlerwaldorf]

I had very few with my first pregnancy and only at the very end.

[narockshard]

May 5, 2014 10:02:46 GMT -5 @abbycobb said:

I had my little guy about a month ago but have still been lurking on this board...

I never had BH, and never had any contractions before my actual labor contractions. I really didn't have any "signs" that labor was coming and figured I'd go long past my due date. Then out of nowhere he showed up a week early, so you never know.

I think I may have leaked a drop or two of colostrum sometime in the third tri, but it was so little I wasn't sure, and I could never squeeze any out. Less than an hour after I gave birth, the nurse had me squeeze my breast and out it came - it was kind of amazing. So don't stress about it, your body knows what to do.

This is great to know! Thanks for posting!

[ringstrue]

You are most likely having BH, just not feeling them or recognizing them as contractions. Not a big deal.

Colostrum (and milk) sit in the glands behind your nipple and come out when stimulated by nursing. You can't really squeeze it out unless the glands have released it into the nipple already. Be glad your boobs are functioning well enough right now to keep the colostrum inside and you aren't leaking!

[bowies]

I just realized I might be having some BH contractions. Or not. I thought it was baby movement. They aren't painful or anything.

I had big boobs prior to pregnancy and have seen nary a sign of colostrum. I'm glad you posted this b/c I was kinda worried about it too.

[pinotgrig]

33w3d here and I don't think I've had any BH yet.

I've been leaking a few drops of colostrum in my bras a few times a week, but only out of one side. :/

My ob said neither was a concern and that neither happened to her with her pg's.

[narockshard]

Thanks for all the reassurances everyone, I'm feeling a lot better about things now I guess our bodies truly do take over when they need to!

[cb]

Some people never get BH. With my first I never got them until I passed my due date.

Don't worry about the boobs at all. I never had any colostrum before birth for both of my pregnancies and produced an over abundance afterwards. It doesn't mean anything.

[Arens33]

I never had any BH either, nor any leakage during pregnancy. Pretty much the whole time you are breastfeeding in the hospital feels like you are doing nothing, its not til about the day you come home that your milk comes in, and then its veeery obvious. Until it evens out a little there was nights that I slept with no shirt and a towel wrapped around me to soak up leaks. I was always given way more milk that a little sleepy newborn could drink at first, but your body will adjust.

[Deleted]

I didn't have BH or milk leakage before baby and I nursed for 20m with no issues! (Actually had an over supply)

I am having tons of BH this pregnancy and they suck so enjoy not having them

[MrsAggie]

No worries! All of the hormones released during labor help bring in your milk supply. You'll have colostrum once baby comes

[IndiaInk]

Just agreeing with what everyone already said. I never had any sign of milk production but this morning the nurse showed me how to self express a little colostrum and there's definitely some in there! Baby seems satisfied.