Does your breasts feel engorged before birth?

[Carmen2]

This feels awfully weird. While pregnant with DD, I didn't have have any breast engorgement. No discomfort at all. And I even had colostrum when I was in my early trimester.

With this pregnancy, I just started having very minute colostrum. And that is if I squeeze (sorry for TMI) my nipples to see if there is any. I could only get 1 drop or 2. But today, my breasts started to feel engorged so while I was in for a shower, I tried expressing some out and it helped to relieve some engorgement. But even while I was expressing, I didn't get that many drops. I'm currently 39 weeks... should I be getting more colostrum than a few drops?

[tellytubby]

With my DD I had nothing while pregnant - no drops even if i squeezed!
After i had her the midwives were telling me that the babies only get about a teaspoon of colostrum with every feed (crazy i know!! thats sooo little i thought!)
After day three my milk came in fast and heavy, my boobs were crazy! hehe
My bubba was breastfed up until her first birthday!
So don't stress if you have nothing coming out now, i'm sure once bub is born you're body will make what is needed!

[Snacks]

Nope. They were engorged when my milk came in on the 3rd night/4th day.
Last time my breasts were leaking by the stage I am at now, but this time I have only been able to squeeze a little out like you have described. I'm not worried though - our bodies will know what to do once baby is here

[Carmen2]

Do you think it's okay for me to keep squeezing them? I know I sound crazy, but I'm not so much worried about my milk not coming. In fact, I'm squeezing because I'm trying to speed up labor... will I be wasting away the colostrum before my bub gets it?

[alioops]

I have times when I feel incredibly full and sore, but there isn't much there. You can continue to squeeze as much as you want, and if you can collect what you get, save it. Colostum is very good for the first cold or sticky eyes. If you have some syringes freeze some in them.

[Carmen2]

How long can I keep the colostrum frozen for? Since I haven't deliver yet, would I still be getting producing more colostrum or once I have squeezed out all of it, it will turn into milk?

[BekZ]

Carmen - Your body will produce enough colostrum for your baby so don't worry. I have heard of lady using an expressing machine to stimulate nipples to bring on labour.