Lactation

Women’s Healthcare in the Community

Assignment
By: Katie Sekola
Location
Background
• Mercy health offers many services to
help the mother learn how to nurse
both before and after birth. The
lactation consultants help the mothers
through the process so they are able
to focus on the health of themselves
and their baby.
How has the pandemic affected
how you deliver your services?
• They had to stop support group tours and classes. Normally, they
would have tours and classes once a month for pregnant woman. Now
they offer private tours.
• Before pandemic, cost of class was $20 or some insurances may cover.
How many patients on average
exclusively breastfeed?
• At St. Elizabeth’s Boardman, for the month of February there was an
average of around 29%, but it is usually in the 30s. Formula is more
common because many try to pump when returning to work, but won’t
have a place to do so or other issues so often give up.
What are the certifications/requirements
to become a lactation consultant?
• Most are registered nurses, but can either become a Certified Lactation
Counselor (CLC)- 52 hours of training and passed a certification exam
or an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)- 90
hours of training and 300-1000 hours of clinical practice, and
certification exam.
• The main difference is the clinical practice hours that are required for
IBCLC.
• Employed at St. Elizabeth’s are two registered nurses, a dietitian, and
an IBCLC.
What happens during a typical lactation consult/
what information is gathered and offered?
• Each patient is given a breastfeeding booklet, taught different latching
positions, how to store the milk, hands on assisting with breastfeeding,
reviewing normal diapers, baby weight loss, ensuring they have a
pump at home and if not send them home with one, and more.
Are there lactation services
offered outpatient?
• Yes, they are able to see the patient outpatient on a one on one basis,
support groups, classes- before pandemic, and they are all given their
number at discharge for any questions they may have.
• Now, patients can download an app, called “Yomingo” it provides
education 24/7 on breastfeeding, pre-natal care, labor and birth,
information to their stay at St. Elizabeth Boardman, support groups,
kick counter and more.
Contact
• Melanie, on March 30, 2022 at 1030am