Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
Will breastfeeding during pregnancy cause pre-term labor?
The stimulation of the nipples causes the release of a hormone called oxytocin. After childbirth, breastfeeding helps to the uterus to return to a normal size because of the contractions caused by oxytocin. Oxytocin is also important in labor because it causes contractions.
However, in the normal, healthy pregnancy there is little need for concern about breastfeeding causing contractions. The reason for this is the “oxytocin receptors sites” on the uterus. These uterine cells detect oxytocin when it is present and respond by causing contractions of the uterus. In a pregnant woman who is less than 38 weeks gestation there are very few of these “oxytocin receptor sites” on the uterus. By 38 weeks, the cells begin to increase gradually. Once a woman is actually in labor, the cells increase 300 times. The uterus is further protected from oxytocin stimulation before term by the absence of “gap junction proteins” which enable the oxytocin receptor sites to respond to oxytocin. The high levels of progesterone during pregnancy also stand in the way of oxytocin causing contractions during pregnancy.
While most women should consider breastfeeding during pregnancy to be a safe act, those women who have experienced preterm labor in previous pregnancies or are at risk for preterm labor in their current pregnancy should not continue breastfeeding during pregnancy. On some occasions women at risk for preterm labor have continued breastfeeding during pregnancy. This is only advisable if permission is given by the obstetrician who knows the history of the pregnancy and any previous pregnancies of the woman.
Will breastfeeding during pregnancy take nutrients away from my unborn baby?
No, breastfeeding during pregnancy will not take precious nutrients from the fetus. Not eating correctly will cause the fetus to be undernourished, however. A mother who is breastfeeding during pregnancy requires even more nutrients than a mother who is not breastfeeding during pregnancy. Extra liquids are essential to keep a milk supply going and to keep the mother hydrated. Nutrients that are taken in will go directly to the fetus first. If a mother breastfeeding during pregnancy does not practice good nutrition, she and her nursling will suffer before the fetus will.
Will pregnancy cause my milk supply to diminish or disappear?
Yes, it can. Around four-five months of pregnancy many mothers who are breastfeeding during pregnancy will find that their milk supply has either diminished or is completely gone. Some mothers may find that this period of ‘dryness’ lasts for weeks and some may find that it lasts much longer. In my own experience of breastfeeding during pregnancy I had both situations to occur. In my second, full term pregnancy my milk diminished slightly until around 22 weeks when it was completely gone. By 25 weeks I had colostrum. In my third, full term pregnancy my milk supply was completely gone by 14 weeks and I did not have colostrum until closer to eight months into the pregnancy.
Again, drinking plenty of fluids and eating a nutritious diet can help a mother who is breastfeeding during pregnancy to maintain her milk supply for longer.
Will I have to supplement with formula because of a lack of supply?
It is possible. If your baby is under the age of one when you become pregnant, it may be necessary to supplement his or her feedings with formula. The older baby or toddler is likely taking enough solid food to sustain his or her nutritional needs. To be sure that a nursling is thriving, regular weight checks are a good step.
Will my baby or toddler wean during the pregnancy?
Many times a nursling will react to the change in breast milk supply or taste by weaning. In my experience with breastfeeding during pregnancy, one of my children weaned and one did not. It totally depends upon the child.
Will the taste of my breast milk change?
It is likely. The breast milk of a pregnant woman becomes saltier in taste. Some nurslings dislike this new taste and wean while others continue to nurse as though nothing has changed.
The taste change usually occurs in the second trimester and due to an increase of protein and sodium in the breast milk and a decrease in glucose and lactose.
Will breastfeeding during pregnancy be painful?
Most likely, yes. Unfortunately, the same nipple sensitivity that occurs in early pregnancy for all women does not stay away for those who choose breastfeeding during pregnancy.
I have talked with many women who actually feel depressed at the thought of nursing. Their skin will crawl and they become agitated due to the pain. Using breathing exercises that they used during labor has helped some women to cope with the discomfort.
Many times a mother breastfeeding during pregnancy will limit nursing sessions to the frequency and duration that she is comfortable with in order to preserve the nursing relationship.
My experiences of breastfeeding during pregnancy were different. In my second, full term pregnancy the pain was excruciating and I limited my son to three nursing sessions per day. The most painful time was between 22-25 weeks when my milk supply was completely gone. Once I had colostrum at 25 weeks, the pain lessened tremendously. In my third full-term pregnancy, I had very little pain, only minor discomfort and I was tandem nursing. My milk supply was gone from 14-32 weeks and still the discomfort was much less than it had been in my previous pregnancy.
Will I run out of colostrum for the baby before he or she is even born?
No. The clock does not begin ticking for colostrum until after child birth. Your body will continue to make colostrum until your milk comes in after the birth. Mothers who are breastfeeding during pregnancy actually have the added advantage of giving their nursling another chance at getting the health benefits of this “liquid gold”.
Once the new baby is born it might be best to allow him or her to get the majority of the colostrum since it is so important in building the immunity of a new baby.
Breastfeeding during pregnancy is completely doable for most women. Always talk with your obstetrician or midwife so that he or she knows your plans and address any concerns. Be sure that your nursling is thriving by having him or her weighed and let his or her pediatrician know if you suspect that supplementation is necessary.
