On Sun, 22 Aug 1999 14:44:16 -0400, Cathy Bargar <[log in to unmask]> wrote: >Re: the one that "feels that Breastfeeding is good but that many women >(especially low income/low education women) are too irresponsible to >Breastfeed! His view is outragous and I have told him so, but how do I go >about changing his mind?" > >It's not HIS mind you have to change; it's that the women you work with need >to be supported enough to not let this doc's views interfere with their >desire to BF. You can do that, by your attitude towards them and your strong >support of BFing and their ability to do it, without ever confronting him. >It's not about him! > >Re: the other, "much worse" one. Same recommendation. You won't change these >guys, and you don't have much to gain by going head-to-head with them. When >women tell you that their OB says they "have to" take such-and-such a drug >and that he's told them it's not compatible with BFing, you can 1)copy the >appropriate page(s) from your trusty Hale (which you should get your WIC >director to order, or ask your Public Health nsg. dep't to get for your >office - it's something both WIC & PHN should have!) and give the mom 2 >copies - one for herself and one for her doctor and/or 2)gently remind the >mom that an OB may not be the best person to be prescribing "psych meds" for >her. Make other suggestions of available options, depending on what's >available and realistic for these moms. Otherwise, all you can do is >continue to support the mother in her wish to BF, help her problem-solve, >and remind her that the ultimate choice is *hers* to make, not the doc's. >(Or yours, for that matter!) > >It really comes down to helping your women take the power that they already >actually have into their own hands, when it comes to decision-making for >themselves & their babies. Doctors can make recommendations, but ultimately >it rests with the woman to decide. Your role is to provide correct >information (to counteract dumb stuff she's hearing elsewhere) and support >for her, not just as a potential breastfeeder but as a competent, capable >woman who is able to weigh advice and make decisions on the basis of the >information she gets. When you do that, you don't have to worry about the >background noise of these doctors - you're not arguing with *them*, you are >providing information and support to the women in whose hands the choices >actually rest. > >Pretty radical concept, huh? Goes right to the roots - no wonder they're >scared of the power we women have to give and sustain life! (What - you mean >the "doctor" isn't in charge of the process??) > >Don't let them sucker you into any spitting contests - you know the facts, >and you're there for mothers & babies, and that's about it. > >And, as a very old retired doctor once told me, when he came across me in >the back stairwell of the hospital where I worked, crying over some >*stupid*, ignorant thing another doc had said, "Don't let the bastards grind >you down"! (He said it in Latin, and it was very elegant, but I can never >remember it right that way.) > >Cathy Bargar, RN, IBCLC Ithaca NY > > *********************************************** >The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned >LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) >mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: >http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Thank you Cathy, I needed that! I know what you say is true. As part of one of my *manditory* classes I go over how much many OB's and Ped's don't know. I guess I also know that I'm getting through because all of the women who have come to me about these Ob's have said they remebered what I taught them. It is just so frustrating sometimes when a Dr's ego becomes more important than the patient's well being! Anyway, thanks again. I feel better and am ready to fight another day! Jessica Wheelock *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html