Did you know that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health insurance plans are fully covering Prenatal Lactation Consults?! If you're wondering, "Why should I schedule a prenatal lactation visit" then you're not alone. Today, I'm going to share three reasons why prenatal lactation visits are important for pregnant women, and why you should schedule yours today!
Prenatal Lactation Consults are like a Breastfeeding Class, but better
A prenatal lactation consult is essentially a 1 on 1 private breastfeeding class where you can build foundational breastfeeding knowledge while receiving totally customized breastfeeding information. With a private prenatal breastfeeding class, there's no need to be embarrassed to ask questions in front of a group or worry about NOT getting questions answered during a self-paced breastfeeding course.
IBCLC can assess risk factors for breastfeeding challenges during pregnancy
Meeting with an IBCLC during pregnancy is important for every first time mom who plans to breastfeed. Some women have health conditions that increase their likelihood of experiencing breastfeeding challenges. Instead of being blindsided, your IBCLC can help you identify possible concerns and work with you to create a breastfeeding plan that outlines exactly how to handle those concerns. Maybe you're an experienced mom who had difficulty breastfeeding the first go round and deeply desire a better breastfeeding experience the next time around. Working with an IBCLC during your pregnancy is a great way to set the foundation for a more positive breastfeeding experience. You can work with the IBCLC to better understand the previous feeding difficulties and learn how to avoid or manage them differently this time. You've established a relationship with an IBCLC
When you establish a relationship with an IBCLC during pregnancy, it's much easier to reach out for breastfeeding help once your newborn arrives. The early breastfeeding days coupled with postpartum hormones and exhaustion can make it feel really hard to find a trustworthy lactation consultant. But when you work with an IBCLC during pregnancy, half the work is already done for you! You can reduce your stress level by reaching out to the IBCLC you've already worked with and scheduling a postpartum breastfeeding consult.
Should you hire an IBCLC for a prenatal lactation consult?
Most pregnant mothers are hesitant to work with an IBCLC prenatally because they feel like breastfeeding should come naturally and private lactation consults aren't worth investing in. When breastfeeding is important to you, though, you owe it to yourself to surround yourself with the best possible support.
What happens during a prenatal lactation consult?
I am currently offering prenatal lactation consults virtually for families in Wichita Falls and across the United States. Virtual Prenatal Visits are great because they are convenient for parents with busy schedules.
When you book your prenatal breastfeeding consult, I will send you free access to my Breastfeeding With Confidence online class and a pre-visit questionnaire. This is your "pre-requisite" for our visit. The course walks you through the basics of breastfeeding so that you have a foundational knowledge before our visit. Taking this class also provides you with an opportunity to compile a list of questions about breastfeeding to ensure we cover all of your concerns.
Your pre-visit questionnaire allows me to gather important information about you, your breastfeeding experience, and your breastfeeding goals.
On the day of your visit we will spend an hour talking about your breastfeeding goals, questions, and concerns. We will also review your medical history to determine your risk of certain breastfeeding challenges. At the end of your appointment we will create a customized breastfeeding care plan to help you feel confident when your baby arrives.
If your baby is born and you find yourself experiencing anticipated or unanticipated breastfeeding challenges, you'll be welcome to schedule a Postpartum Breastfeeding Consult to help troubleshoot your breastfeeding challenges.
If you're interested in booking an insurance covered prenatal breastfeeding consult, CLICK HERE to find out if your insurance plan works with Little Bear Lactation. If your insurance plan does not work with us, please consider booking a self-pay prenatal breastfeeding consult HERE.
Jaimie Zaki is a military wife, mother of 4, Licensed Practical Nurse, Birth Doula, and International Board Certified Lactation Consult (IBCLC) residing in Wichita Falls, Texas. Jaimie supports local Texas families and families across the United States during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Jaimie is excited to offer insurance covered lactation consults both in-home and via Telehealth.
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