I scanned today's posts and no one else in my capacity(Bradley childbirth
educator and private-duty birth assistant) seems to be speaking up, so let
me add my limited perspective to this discussion.
First of all, a resounding "amen" to the idea of being paid what we're
worth (or at least a decent fraction thereof), no matter where our area of
expertise in MCH care lies. Years ago I decided that I had served as an
assistant/extra coach at one too many births for free, and have since only
done so for a decent wage, except for the occasional situation which I
carefully consider and do as a sort of tithing. This is a hot topic in our
family, as our daughter is an accomplished acoustic folk musician, and
could work every night of the week if she would just do it for
free...........she too has set a limit as to the free gigs she'll take, and
I am sure her strength in doing so at this early point in her career is
rooted partly in seeing what all the free time and advice I once upon a
time gave so freely of did to all of us. I'll stay home and bake cookies
(and play on the computer, and study to further my own education!) before
I'll go out into the middle of the night for free to help a couple who has
probably just spent a fortune on brand new baby merchandise, while we shop
at thrift shops to support my birth assistant habit!!!!
As for referring out, I am proud of knowing when to say "I don't know, but
if you call so-and-so, a lactation consultant I really trust, she can help
you." If a mom encounters opposition while still in-hospital, I have a
wonderful LC I personally contact about the case after giving her number to
the mom. It is so wonderful to know she is there and that she won't
hesitate to provide the doctors, NICU or whoever with the information that
is necessary to help the mom and baby establish their nursing relationship.
She is heavily over-worked, as she has a grant for low-income moms, and
the hospital tries to keep paying patients for their staff LC, and send her
the charity cases, so I try to send her my clients, who by definition of
having been able to afford my private Bradley classes, just might help to
financially support her lactation consulting habit.
I'm so glad you all are out there! LLL is absolutely wonderful, but is
thought of so poorly locally(because of their free advice policy, most
likely, in this money-oriented region) and so parents really need the
bigger "guns" provided by those initials after your names.<G>
Sue LaLeike
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