Hi - I just joined and have been lurking for a few days. I'm just now
starting down the path towards becoming a LLL Leader, however, my
interest in women's health - and more specificially assisting women
during pregnancy, birth, and lactation goes back a ways.

For the past 9 years or so, I've just been going along with the
thought that when my children get out of elementary school, I would go
back to school with the intent of becoming an OB. Over the past couple
of years, I've been re-evaluating that goal - particularly since the
birth of my youngest (surprise!) considering going by the original
goal, that would extend out my plans by another 10 years, rather than
embarking on them in about 3 years from now. I'm also questioning
whether or not going through med school is necessarily the right path
for me.

In the meantime, I've been doing what I can to support friends and
family. I've been a Mentor Mother through Planned Parenthood (a
program that pairs pregnant teens with adult moms to help support and
empower them). And a few close friends have asked that I be present to
help them through their deliveries in much the same way they would
approach a doula (though I am not, at present, a certified doula).

I have a BS in Anthropology, and have had 3 children of my own - two
of whom were (are) extended breastfed. My first was only nursed 2
weeks, and to that I credit lack of support and lack of knowledge. I
definitely know that had I had the support at the time, or knew where
to go for support, I would have nursed far longer. My second child I
nursed until somewhere between 18-24 months - our weaning process was
so slow, I can't really remember when exactly we weaned. And lastly
(but not least) my son is still nursing strong with no signs of
weaning at almost 18 months.

Regardless of my future med school plans, I figured I would go through
doula training, and lactation consultant training (even if just by
starting via LLL)  If I don't go to med school, I will likely go to
nursing school, eventually going for a CNM - if I do go to med school,
having a doula trained OB can't hurt in the slightest.

Currently, by trade, I am a software developer. To that end, I am in
the process of developing an online suite of tools to help pregnant
and lactating mothers. It started with a contraction timer log...and
the plans go forward from there, though there's nothing to actually
see at this point in time other than the contraction log.

Take care, and it is a pleasure to meet all of you,

Liz Burke-Scovill

-- 
Imagination is intelligence having fun...
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