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Patel VJ, Clark B, Thachil R, Rosen-Carole C, Godcharles C, Kumar D, Gebhard R. The Rights of Physicians and Future Physicians Who Are Lactating, Breastfeeding, or Chestfeeding: An American Medical Women's Association Position Article. Breastfeed Med 2024. [PMID: 38624138 DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2024.0073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Breastfeeding is a fundamental and biologically normal function with well-established benefits for both lactating parents and infants. Despite these benefits, physicians, particularly those in training, often face significant obstacles when attempting to meet their breastfeeding and pumping goals. In response to these challenges, the American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) and a diverse group of health care professionals have come together to advocate for comprehensive lactation support policies in medical learning environments and workplaces. This position article highlights the ethical necessity of comprehensive lactation support in medical educational and workplace settings, emphasizing the importance of not only providing physical accommodations but also fostering a cultural shift, educational initiatives, and policy reforms to empower lactating parents. It offers an examination of the difficulties encountered by lactating parents within medical environments and proposes guidelines for the formulation and enhancement of supportive policies. The position article envisions a future where medical professionals can thrive in both their careers and parenthood through collaborative efforts and a commitment to the key elements of Effective Lactation Support Programs in medical workplaces based on the following: (1) well-equipped lactation facilities, (2) customized work schedules, (3) mentorship and support networks, (4) lactation support in clinical settings, and (5) research and advocacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishnavi J Patel
- University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine, AMWA Gender Equity Task Force Medical Student Chair, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Brianna Clark
- Sunflower Lactation & Health Education LLC, AMWA Gender Equity Task Force Co-Chair, Reston, Virginia, USA
| | - Rosy Thachil
- Elmhurst Hospital Center/Mount Sinai School of Medicine, AMWA Gender Equity Task Force Co-Chair, Flushing, New York, USA
| | - Casey Rosen-Carole
- Division of Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and OBGYN, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | - Dyuti Kumar
- St. George's University School of Medicine, AMWA Gender Equity Task Force, St George's, Grenada
| | - Roberta Gebhard
- 2019-2020 President of the American Medical Women's Association, AMWA Gender Equity Task Force Founder, Fellow of AMWA, Reston, Virginia, USA
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Davis KM, Lu L, Williams B, Roas-Gomez MV, Leziak K, Jackson J, Feinglass J, Yee LM. The Stress of Parenting in the Postpartum Period During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Womens Health Rep (New Rochelle) 2022; 3:895-903. [PMID: 36479375 PMCID: PMC9712040 DOI: 10.1089/whr.2022.0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic produced a major shift in parental roles, which disproportionally exacerbated existing challenges for low-income new parents. Our objective was to identify pandemic-related parenting challenges experienced by low-income postpartum individuals in the context of the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Semistructured interviews with 40 low-income postpartum individuals were conducted within 10 weeks after giving birth in April 2020-June 2020. Interviews addressed maternal health and well-being, parental stress, including COVID-related barriers to providing for children, and access to essential services. Interview themes were developed using the constant comparative method. Results Half (n = 20) the participants identified as non-Hispanic Black and 38% (n = 15) as Hispanic; 75% (n = 30) were parents of multiple children. Parenting-related themes included challenges of parenting multiple children, barriers to maintaining self-care, and novel barriers to providing for children. Participants discussed handling new roles as educators, struggles with entertaining, allocating time among children, and effects of the pandemic on older children. Participants frequently described their lack of alone time, changes in self-care and coping strategies due to continuous parenting, and effects on maternal mental health like increased anxiety. Many participants reported lack of communal support, financial stress, and difficulty accessing services. Conclusions New burdens introduced by the pandemic challenged low-income individuals' health and well-being. Understanding these psychosocial stressors and developing interventions to ameliorate these burdens may be key to promoting family health during difficult times; one potential solution for preventing postpartum depression is offering continual social services. Clinical Trial No.: NCT03922334.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka'Derricka M. Davis
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Layna Lu
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Brittney Williams
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Maria V. Roas-Gomez
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Karolina Leziak
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jenise Jackson
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Joe Feinglass
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, and Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Lynn M. Yee
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,Address correspondence to: Lynn M. Yee, MD, MPH, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 250 E. Superior Street, Suite 5-2145, Chicago, IL 60611, USA,
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