How long after your breasts start leaking do you go into labor?

Question

I am 33 weeks pregnant, and I just started leaking fluid from my breasts. I have to squeeze to get the fluid to come out and it only comes out in drops. Will it start to flow more freely before my baby is born? Also, I was induced with my first child, how long after your breasts start leaking do you go into labor?

Answer 1

My breasts didn't leak a single drop before I had my baby, so I don't believe leaking is any indicator as to your delivery time line. I've ready that it's perfectly normal to start leaking in your 3rd trimester, but haven't read that it can signal when you can expect to go into labor.

Answer 2

Well I don't think that has anything to do with labor. With my first I was induced and was leaking at like 7 months, with the one I am carrying (now 7 months) I started leaking at like 5. No it doesn't really start leaking more before baby comes, just after :-)

Answer 3

Mine started leaking before I even started showing. Your body is just getting prepared. Trust me, this amount of leaking is nothing compared to amount that will be flowing after your baby is born. For me, it was the same slow leak until about two or three days after my son was born and then just gushing for months after. But the leaking breasts don't really have any indication of when you may go into labor.

Answer 4

Lactation has nothing to do with the start of labor. My S-I-L began lactating when she was 6 months pregnant. I never leaked, and my third baby is now 5 months and exclusively breastfeeding! So, lactation before birth has no bearing on the onset of labor or the ability to feed the baby. You're probably seeing colostrum. The milk will likely come in 2-3 days after your baby is born.

Answer 5

What you are doing right now is called lactation or pre-milk. It's due to hormonal changes. Some women don't start to leak until after the baby is born so there's no real way to know from leaking how long it will be. Just get some pads and don't worry

Answer 6

My breast started leaking when I was 4 months pregnant with my son! My mother never leaked with any of her three kids. I really doubt it has anything to do with when you'll go into labor. Just be patient.

Answer 7

no, not necessarily. some people have there breasts leak colostram as early as 7 months. it depends on your body and also how many children you have had. also, some people don't experience this until after they've had the baby, it's different for everyone. with my son, i didnt have it until about 38 wks, but im pregnant (34 wks) and have had it for about 2 or 3 wks now.

Answer 8

I'm 36 weeks and I have been leaking since I was about 16 weeks. I'm an at home mom so most of the time I have no bra on and anyone would be able to tell, when one of my kids cry, I leak badly like someone poured water on me. I asked my dr about it and she said that it's different with everyone, but it's nothing to worry about.

Answer 9

The fluid coming out is called colostrum. It is perfectly normal to leak it at this stage in pregnancy-your body is getting ready to nurse your baby. I started leaking it about my seventh month of pregnancy. It is the forerunner to breast milk, if you are planning to breastfeed (which I highly recommend-it is the best experience in the world), then this is what your baby will drink. After about 3 days, your milk will replace the colostrum.

Answer 10

Leaking has nothing to do with labor. I am 22 weeks along and my breasts leak. Your breasts are just getting ready to lactate.