Unexpected C Section, any tips to trigger milk production early?

Hi there,

I went into hospital on Wednesday for a planned ECV of my baby (currently 37 weeks 1 day), whose currently sitting breech. I was really hopeful that this would work and I could deliver naturally at full term, especially as I'd hoped to do skin to skin immediately after birth and the first feed.

Unfortunately, the heart monitor picked up some anomalies, which may mean that the umbilical cord is wrapped around, or being grasped by baby, causing periodic drops to their heart rate. So they admitted me to L&D and have been monitoring the heart rate ever since.

But myself, husband and the medical team are in agreement that a C Section as soon as possible is now the best choice, so I'm likely to meet my daughter by the end of the week instead of their due date (29th Dec) !

My only regret is that I haven't started producing colostrum yet and I'll be unlikely to be able to offer baby that first feed immediately after birth. I know it can take time for milk production to be triggered without a natural laboir/ delivery to "kickstart" things, but I'm upset that her first couple of feeds are likely to be formula.

Is there anything at all I can do in the next couple of hours or days to perhaps try and hurry in my colostrum? I've been considering requesting a breastpump to see if I can stimulate some production, but honestly, I'm not sure if that would work.

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

UPDATE 15/12/2023: I'd just like to say a huge thank you for all the help and support received on this thread, I teared up so often at all the kind and supportive comments! Our daughter, Evie May, was born today via C Section and breastfed like a champ, I'm so excited to start this journey with her