Here's a download...I just rec'd my "congrats, you're pregnant" information
from Anthem (BC/BS) insurance today. Realize that I was pregnant a *year*
ago and have a four-month old, so this was a bit strange. BUT...the
breastfeeding info inside the pregnancy planner is *awful* and I will be
calling for a contact person tomorrow. Forgive the downloading here but my
blood pressure is up.
Surrounded by pictures of bottles, the question is "Breast or bottle?" The
answer in part is: "...so even breast-feeding (sic) for only a few weeks
has health benefits for the baby. The emotional benefits attributed to
breast-feeding come from holding and cuddling, something even dad can offer
the bottle-fed baby. The good news is, you can have it both ways; if
breast-feeding your baby doesn't work out, you can switch to formula." It
goes on with a list of things to consider about breast feeding (sic), some
of which are: "You and baby have to learn how to nurse, and will need
guidance from experienced people. You have less mobility and may need a
breast pump. Baby may require more frequent feedings which may fatigue you.
Sore nipples are unavoidable and breast infection (although not serious) is
possible. You will need to eat an additional 500 nutritional calories a
day." AARRGGHH!
However, things to consider about bottle feeding include: "You have greater
mobility, and dad can help feed baby. You can eat anything you want.
Formula contains all essential nutrients, but no immunity factors." It goes
on to say, "To get off to a good start, learn the correct nursing procedures
from your doctor and anticipate the amount of support you will have with
your choice." YUCK!
In regards to medications and breast-feeding (sic), it says that "all
medications must be cleared through your doctor. Avoid caffeine, laxatives,
alcohol and smoking." What happened to the AAP's statement about alcohol
and breastfeeding, for example? WHINE (or is that WINE?<g>)!
This is the same insurance company that is refusing to pay for some
anemia-related labs during last year's pregnancy because they were deemed
medically unnecessary, even though I've had several postpartum hemorrhages.
Hmm. It's the same company that did not have to pay for a hospital birth
because we didn't make it to the hospital and managed to stay out of said
hospital postpartum. It's the same company that is going to have fewer
claims from my breastfed children, but they are obviously willing to spend
millions on formula-fed children if their maternity calendar information is
a true indicator of that. We should be demanding *discounts* on our health
insurance premiums *because* we're breastfeeding, just like we receive auto
insurance discounts for having good driving records.
(BTW, their references include "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and a
1991 "From Here to Maternity" source in the breastfeeding section. The
calendar was revised in August of 2003; there is nothing about the AAP's
guidelines or how to find breastfeeding support.)
Their website at www.anthem.com does not have this same calendar in
electronic format, but there is a phone number for their maternity care
registered nurses "that are experienced in obstetrics"...it's
1-800-723-7474. Ask for your own copy of this lovely marketing tool that
would have placed me in the high-risk category from blood pressure had I
rec'd it when I really was pregnant <g>. When I find a human to contact, I
will let you activists know.
Thanks for the vent,
Rebecca DeYoung Daniels, MBA, RD, LD, IBCLC and MOM to 5 *and* an angry
BC/BS card carrier
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