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Phoenix La Leche League: Live, Latch, Love

As part of the LLL area conference

August 26th, 5-7 PM

Embassy Suites Biltmore

 

La Leche League Conference

August 26-28, 2016

Embassy Suites Biltmore

Register Here: www.lllofaz.org/area-conference

Disclaimer: 

The material included in this video is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation.  Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided.  This blog and video contain information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.

About Sara: I'm passionate about supporting women in their birth choices and through labor and delivery.  I am a birth activist, lactivist, essential oil lover, garden growing, crafter, and stilleto-wearing granola-momma lover of all things holistic and naturaopathic. I believe in prevention rather than reaction. :)

The first time I ever heard the word "doula" was after I gave birth to my first child. I had a basic understanding of what doulas did but not enough to fully recognize the need for doulas in the birth journey.

I felt like my mom was my doula. I broke my shoulder about 7 weeks before giving birth to my second child. It was an experience full of fear, apprehension, and aloneness. Even though both times I was handed a healthy baby, they are not an experiences I look back on with much joy. I realized then that I never wanted another woman to experience birth in that manner. I began devouring every piece of information about birth and doulas I could possibly get my hands on. I realized that "mothering," (the greek root meaning of doula) is a huge part of my nature and life passion.

 

I officially went through doula training in April of 2012 by attending a DONA Int. birth doula workshop. I am also a Certified Lactation Educator and have taken several classes through ASU's College of Human Lactation with the goal of becoming an IBCLC.

What do I love most? That's a really difficult question... It sort of ties into my philosophy as a birth doula: I call myself the Lioness Doula. People always ask "why Lioness?" Lionesses are never alone. They birth together, hunt together, cross breastfeed the Pride's cubs together. They are this strong, brave, powerful sisterhood of women. THAT is what I love; that is why I do this.

I believe no woman should ever have to birth alone, feeling unsupported or unloved, and should never have anyone else's agenda brought into their most vulnerable space, be it hospital policy, Doc preferences, mothers in-law, etc. Birth matters. It's sacred and important.

 

My goal is to empower birth partners to make me useless. Let me help you help her.

The toughest situation I've ever dealt with was probably a birth I attended where the midwife was actually not very birth friendly. She did so many things outside of mom's wishes and without discussing it with her, just telling that it had been done. It took so much will power to set aside my own feelings and fully support Mom. But at the end of the day, the most important thing I can do is make Mom feel safe, keep partners involved, and prevent my own (or others) perceptions from affecting Mom's view of the birth experience.

Newborn Baby smell keeps me doula-ing. There's nothing like it in the world. It's like magic.

 

My fee is $500 and includes up to 3 prenatal visits, prenatal lactation education, attendance from onset of labor until approximately 2 hrs postpartum, 1 postpartum visit and lactation counseling session, and placenta encapsulation. Because I am so passionate that every woman who desires, have access to a doula, I as that families contact me even if $500 is out of their price range. I regularly barter/trade/take payments.

Do you offer any other services to your clients?

If desired, we can add on a blow dry style for newborn pictures at an added cost. I also am available for lactation counseling and/or support.

 

When I'm not doing my doula thang, I can be found at Got Roots? Salon doing hair and body waxing, at home crafting and nagging small children, or hanging out with my cute hubby!

 

Does Sara sound like the right doula for you?  Here is her contact info:

Tel.:  480-734-5770

Web: http://lionessdoula.blogspot.com/

Mail: [email protected]

Please leave us a comment - it will be moderated and posted. 

 

What a relief, to know that you might be able to use insurance to cover Lactation Consults in the early days after you deliver your baby.  This is the first in a series of articles on the Affordable Healthcare Act as it relates to breastfeeding: 

 

I am an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in private practice and I share this material for informational purposes only.  Each insurance plan is a little different and it is best to call and request the specifics from your individual plans. 

Copied from the Health Services Administration website:  “Non-grandfathered plans and issuers are required to provide coverage without cost sharing consistent with these guidelines in the first plan year (in the individual market, policy year) that begins on or after August 1, 2012”  http://www.hrsa.gov/womensguidelines/

At first glance the law seems pretty straightforward.  Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling by a trained provider is covered for non-grandfathered plans renewing 08/01/2012.    It is included in Women’s Expanded Preventive  Services Benefits.  If you qualify for the breast pump or free contraception, you likely have the coverage, but call first.  It is supposed to cover services without applying to your copay or your deductible. 

 

Here is where it becomes less straightforward: the law does not define who exactly is the trained provider, how long the services must be rendered, and that it apply to both in-network and out-of-network benefits.  The US Surgeon General, in her Breastfeeding Call to Action in 2011, explained the provider of choice for the services is an IBCLC.  IBCLC credentialing is essential for Lactation Consultants providing Lactation Services to breastfeeding mothers.  The credentialing process entails coursework, 2000+ counseling hours with mothers, following a code of ethics, and an international board exam.  We recertify every 5 years with 75 hours of CERPS and take the board exam every 10 years.  It is considered the gold standard of Lactation Care and is equivalent to a Physical Therapist, Speech & Language Pathologist, or Occupational Therapist in years of study, counseling, assessment, and intervention skills. 

 

Insurance companies often assume it is the OBGYN, Pediatrician, or hospital IBCLCs who provide the service.  What they don’t realize is OBGYNs and Pediatricians often refer to IBCLCs and that most women need additional help after leaving the hospital when her milk comes in.  Insurance companies may confirm you have the benefits, but neglect to inform you that it is only available with an in-network provider.  Confirm whether you company contracts with an IBCLC and if not clarify whom it feels is a trained provider.  If, you are given a pump rental company, and they are not a trained provider, then push for an IBCLC.  Currently there are two insurance companies in AZ contracting with IBCLCs- Aetna and BCBSAZ.  United Health Care is exploring the possibility, but no contracts yet and CIGNA will not contract with IBCLCs. 

 

I imagine this is all clear as mud to you right now.  What I often recommend to my clients is that you call your insurance company to clarify benefits and policies while you are pregnant, between 28 weeks-36 weeks of pregnancy, that way if you need the services once your baby is born, you can have peace of mind preparing for birth and breastfeeding.  If you can, get their responses in writing.  My next article will cover how to request coverage from your insurance company. 

 

Desiree Allison, IBCLC

602.903.0002

I am an Aetna contracted provider and am negotiating with several other insurance companies for contracts.  I have a passion to help mothers and babies thrive.  I have been an IBCLC for 3 years and have over 8years experience as a breastfeeding volunteer with an international organization.  Most importantly, I am a mother of three incredibly inquisitive and independent children.

In an effort to keep the spam to a minimum, I am taking the time to moderate comments now.