I would like to add to the thread on becoming a hospital LC after
working in private practice.
I work once a week in the evening and cover occasional shifts; I
continue working "on the outside" the rest of the week.
For me, it is a wonderful balance, since I love my co workers, and
private practice can be a little lonely.

Nikki Lee's post summed up our approach at the hospital: skin to skin,
encourage the mother, hand express small amounts and give it in a spoon
if intake is low, encourage frequent feedings.  I always ask who will be
helping them when they go home as well, and try to give the most
appropriate referral I can.

In hospital you see situations you would rarely see privately and you
have to sharpen your skills so that you can give the content of a home
visit in 15 minutes: that's an intellectual challenge.

There are many difficulties and the current state of childbirth in the
US is a big one (apparently, we have a 50% C/S rate, since they don't
count repeat C/S in the public statistics).  But there are frequently
empowering births and lively babies (we still have midwives, and some
doctors who support natural deliveries) and it is certainly never dull.


Kate Sharp
LC in NYC
[log in to unmask]
katesharpibclc.com
mother to two babies, one born at home and one in an out of hospital
birth center

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