Have a good laugh on me.
Pumping at work requires a lot of preparation. As a resident, it's particularly difficult because we're on a rotating schedule and that means I'm moving from place to place.
I've saved a template for my requests to have enough time to pump, in a clean and private place, with access to a power outlet and fridge. I sent this to my current hospital site, but failed to realize that I would be spending time at my affiliate medical school for lectures. It's not my alma mater, so I'm not familiar with its layout. Almost frantically I called a male friend who is currently a student there the night before saying "I just realized I'm going to be at your school tomorrow for many hours, I'll need to pump my milk over there, where can I go?"
The poor guy felt bad for not having an immediate answer, but obviously he'd never had to think about this before. He called back to tell me that I could use an 'OSCE room.' Of course, I thought!
OSCE stands for Objective Structured Clinical Exams, and most med schools have rooms set up like actual doctors' offices so that students can be observed in a real life setting. It would be perfect because I could lock the door, plus there'd be a sink in the room.
I was glad everything worked out. As I got myself settled I pulled a privacy curtain around me to make me feel extra secure. After all, it's a vulnerable position one's in with plastic funnels gripping the breasts and both nipples pointing out like torpedos.
That's when my own OSCE exams played over in my mind. I used to hate having the video cameras hover over me to screen my performance. . . DOH! There they were, two lenses pointed right at me! I hoped no one was filming, and I nervously finished pumping with the assumption that there's not a lactating porn market out there.
Pumping at work requires a lot of preparation. As a resident, it's particularly difficult because we're on a rotating schedule and that means I'm moving from place to place.
I've saved a template for my requests to have enough time to pump, in a clean and private place, with access to a power outlet and fridge. I sent this to my current hospital site, but failed to realize that I would be spending time at my affiliate medical school for lectures. It's not my alma mater, so I'm not familiar with its layout. Almost frantically I called a male friend who is currently a student there the night before saying "I just realized I'm going to be at your school tomorrow for many hours, I'll need to pump my milk over there, where can I go?"
The poor guy felt bad for not having an immediate answer, but obviously he'd never had to think about this before. He called back to tell me that I could use an 'OSCE room.' Of course, I thought!
OSCE stands for Objective Structured Clinical Exams, and most med schools have rooms set up like actual doctors' offices so that students can be observed in a real life setting. It would be perfect because I could lock the door, plus there'd be a sink in the room.
I was glad everything worked out. As I got myself settled I pulled a privacy curtain around me to make me feel extra secure. After all, it's a vulnerable position one's in with plastic funnels gripping the breasts and both nipples pointing out like torpedos.
That's when my own OSCE exams played over in my mind. I used to hate having the video cameras hover over me to screen my performance. . . DOH! There they were, two lenses pointed right at me! I hoped no one was filming, and I nervously finished pumping with the assumption that there's not a lactating porn market out there.
(If someone calls me Dr. Galactasy one day, I'll know I've been had.)
Coming soon:
Scarves - The essential mommy accessory
Cancer prevention - Why breast-feeding helps
Residencies - Which are the most pump-friendly?
2 comments:
That's funny - at least no one came barging in telling you they could see you on camera! :)
Well, maybe you gave someone a story to tell. =) I am enjoying this blog, by the way. ;)
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