Prenatal Toolbox
Prenatal Hand Expression
During pregnancy the mother's breasts undergo changes that make it possible for her to produce and store milk for her baby. Colostrum is known as the first milk and can begin to be produced as early as 12-16 weeks of gestation. Some women will even notice they have some leakage from their nipples during the third trimester. As estrogen levels increase, the mammary tissue/milk ducts are developed and the secretion of prolactin is signaled. This increase in prolactin is what triggers the milk making tissue/cells to form and develop. Many women notice breast changes over the course of their pregnancy; commonly in the first trimester and continuing throughout the pregnancy. Changes may include breast soreness and/or sensitivity, heavier or swollen breasts, darker areola, montgomery tubercles developing on areola (little bumps), the veining on your breasts may become more visible and some report aches into the armpits where the milk line ends (other end is in the groin). Most women don't think about the breasts' function until towards the end of their pregnancy. It's important to know though, that research is showing there is benefit to starting some breast preparation/training in the third trimester.
Prenatal hand expression has been shown to yield better breastfeeding outcomes once baby arrives. Some women don't get any colostrum, but it's still great stimulation and preparation for the breasts/nipples. Others will get drops to millilitres of colostrum. It's quite easy to collect and can come in handy for once baby arrives. There's an amazing resource called More Milk Sooner and I'm excited to offer my local clients the similar kits for prenatal hand expression to continue their amazing work. To find out more, please check out their website here: www.moremilksooner.com. To request a kit from me for those of you who are located in the lower mainland, please fill in a contact form here. You can see the PDFs they've made here too:
During pregnancy the mother's breasts undergo changes that make it possible for her to produce and store milk for her baby. Colostrum is known as the first milk and can begin to be produced as early as 12-16 weeks of gestation. Some women will even notice they have some leakage from their nipples during the third trimester. As estrogen levels increase, the mammary tissue/milk ducts are developed and the secretion of prolactin is signaled. This increase in prolactin is what triggers the milk making tissue/cells to form and develop. Many women notice breast changes over the course of their pregnancy; commonly in the first trimester and continuing throughout the pregnancy. Changes may include breast soreness and/or sensitivity, heavier or swollen breasts, darker areola, montgomery tubercles developing on areola (little bumps), the veining on your breasts may become more visible and some report aches into the armpits where the milk line ends (other end is in the groin). Most women don't think about the breasts' function until towards the end of their pregnancy. It's important to know though, that research is showing there is benefit to starting some breast preparation/training in the third trimester.
Prenatal hand expression has been shown to yield better breastfeeding outcomes once baby arrives. Some women don't get any colostrum, but it's still great stimulation and preparation for the breasts/nipples. Others will get drops to millilitres of colostrum. It's quite easy to collect and can come in handy for once baby arrives. There's an amazing resource called More Milk Sooner and I'm excited to offer my local clients the similar kits for prenatal hand expression to continue their amazing work. To find out more, please check out their website here: www.moremilksooner.com. To request a kit from me for those of you who are located in the lower mainland, please fill in a contact form here. You can see the PDFs they've made here too:
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What you can do to get baby in the right position and get your body ready to deliver...
It's important for expecting women to look after themselves during pregnancy. This includes your emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health. When it comes to physical health
It's important for expecting women to look after themselves during pregnancy. This includes your emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health. When it comes to physical health