Pantagraph.com | News | Nursing mom sues for extra exam time

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

blue-bee wrote on Oct 13, 2007 7:56 PM:

" For goodness sake, just give her time to pump. A four-month old really needs a good supply, they should be getting all thier calories from BM. As someone who endured mastitis 3 times due to over-engorgement at work... she has my backing and sympathy. I think it's nasty that they bring up her ADHD, how on Earth are the two things even related AT ALL? Most breastfeed babies feed every 2-3 hours AROUND THE CLOCK at 4 months, so she probobly does wake up at night. "

TO: "To: Supermom?" wrote on Sep 16, 2007 1:24 PM:

" Just another case of a person mistakenly thinking that they really can have everything. SOMETHING always suffers. If she needs significant special allowances for a simple TEST, perhaps the other much more important special allowances/sacrifices required of her child, her family, etc are just a wee too important to get only the crumbs of her and her life that are leftover. In my life I've had to cut way back on work hours, reduce volunteer efforts, and say NO to lots of folks- including myself in order to prioritize and do what matters, RIGHT. She needs to learn this lesson too. NO ONE, man or woman, can do it all and do it all right. Super-woman/man or not. "

In response wrote on Sep 13, 2007 5:04 PM:

" Would you want your food made in a bathroom?!?!?!?!? I pumped for my daughter for 10 months. I'm not complaining about the choice I made to have children or the choice I made to breastfeed. I do not want to sit on a toilet and juggle two bottles, two nipple shields strings and a big pump bag. Fortunately the employers I worked for provided facilities with tables and outlets and sinks to clean equipment. Also refrigerators to keep the milk cold so my hard work didn't go to waste, but I know many are not so fortunate. I was also provided adequate time, but that is not always the case. "

Attention wrote on Sep 13, 2007 11:32 AM:

" This sounds like another woman who is not getting enough attention. Hey everybody, look at me!! "

To: At least (again) wrote on Sep 13, 2007 10:56 AM:

" I said there are many benefits to breastfeeding toddlers and that you should do some research on the subject. The World Health Organization urges women to breastfeed until their baby is 2+ yrs old and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests breastfeeding until babies are 1+ yrs old. The longer a woman breastfeeds the more the child (and mother) benefit- both physically and emotionally. So I will say it again- THERE IS NOTHING DISGUSTING ABOUT BREASTFEEDING!!!! What disgusts me is that in our country is seems "abnormal" to breastfeed when it is what mother nature intended- and what is best for our children! So... if you don't like seeing someone breastfeed their toddler (still a baby) maybe you should put a blanket over YOUR head. "

Working Mom wrote on Sep 13, 2007 10:06 AM:

" Women like this give all of us who come in everyday and do our jobs a bad name. We as women make choices, hard choices, about family and career. One or the other has to take priority. I made the choice when I had children that my career was now a job and my family would be my carreer. The most important job I have is to make sure my children are prepared for this "wonderful" world we all live in. "

To: "To the men" wrote on Sep 13, 2007 4:32 AM:

" The time: your two 15 minute breaks and 30 minute (or 1 hour) lunch. The facilites: a restroom, locker room or other private area. Problem solved. If it still creates a problem, then have your husband go back to work and you stay home with the child. "

Ok wrote on Sep 13, 2007 1:49 AM:

" She CHOSE to have children while she was in medical school. Because she made that CHOICE, she needs to deal with all the unpleasantries and consequences. The fact that she had a child so close to having to take this test shows that she wasn't all that invested in her medical schooling. I'm married and I'm in law school, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I'm on birth control so I don't have a kid while I'm doing what might be the MOST important thing in my life, thus far. All of my attention is focused on my schooling. AND I certainly wouldn't ask for special treatment if I had a child and needed to take the bar exam shortly thereafter... "

To To At Least wrote on Sep 13, 2007 1:43 AM:

" At Least said that breastfeeding a TODDLER is disgusting, not breasfeeding itself. Gawd, learn to read the ENTIRE post before Jumping off the "Comment Bridge." "

To the women... wrote on Sep 12, 2007 8:46 PM:

" I'm female and am reading these comments from women whining about morning sickness, pumping, blahblahblah. 90% of the females I work with that have kids have missed considerable time from work while dealing with their pregnancies and then when the kids are born and keep getting sick. I'd like to take this moment to remind women everywhere that getting pregnant and having kids is a choice you made. The majority of women posting out here with complaints likely made a conscious decision to have kids. Sure, there is pain and discomfort involved, but you went into it with your eyes wide open! Don't bash the men by saying they couldn't hack the pain. Maybe they couldn't, but most of you chose to experience pregnancy and child birth! "

Read the article AGAIN wrote on Sep 12, 2007 8:45 PM:

" Most of people commenting have the FACTS all messed up. "

I think wrote on Sep 12, 2007 8:33 PM:

" I know why I am single ,they are nothing but complainers and it is never enough. "

me wrote on Sep 12, 2007 8:31 PM:

" Well,we do have that Americans with disabilities act. "

Enough... wrote on Sep 12, 2007 7:45 PM:

" when I worked at the Farm I had a co-worker who talked about her relaxing 1/2 hour in a rocking chair pumping and taking a nap, all while other people covered her butt and did her job. At my previous job women would just go in the restroom, pump, and get on with work. I am female for all who want to think I am a man bashing, but this is getting out of hand and making me embarrassed to have "mommy parts". "

Classical response, Yeah!! wrote on Sep 12, 2007 6:21 PM:

" Oh it's a classical institutional response. Well , waaaaaahhhh. We need more "classic" responses if the modern response is to coddle those who whine the loudest or want to work the system the most. They've already given her unfair special treatment... talk about give 'em an inch they'll ask for a mile. "

to the men wrote on Sep 12, 2007 6:16 PM:

" who think that women who have to work and have children are whiners about wanting special privileges, you need to try dealing with pregnancy or nursing and swollen painful breasts for about 10 minutes because you couldn't handle any more. I HAVE to work. My husband will get to stay home when our second child is born. You try working and keeping up with all your responsibilities while you're puking 15 times a day and exhausted to boot. Engorged breasts are a VERY REAL and very painful problem, but breastfeeding is so much better for children and worth EVERY SINGLE bit of discomfort. Pumping isn't a walk in the park either, but we should be allowed the time and facilities to do it. "

Special treatment wrote on Sep 12, 2007 4:16 PM:

" You're asking for 'special treatment' because the 10,000s of other mothers going for doctorates did not ask for anything. She isn't asking because she's a women, she's asking only for herself. "

what if wrote on Sep 12, 2007 3:55 PM:

" What if this were about a man that had to have breaks to somehow relieve scrotal pain in some manner? I'll bet there would be no male posters as they would all say "uh, that sounds reasonable." Every woman is different. I was able to pump in 20 minutes while working the night shift (only one break) but not everyone is the same. "

to To Look: and others wrote on Sep 12, 2007 2:00 PM:

" I wish some of you would actually READ this article!!! You would see that it DOES say what her medical condition is and that the baby does NOT have a medical condition! Also, she is planning to be a medical researcher, NOT a physician!!! And another thing, all the men on here that are saying women are asking for special privileges above and beyond...do you think we asked for the ability to bear children, along with the other things our bodies do NATURALLY?? How are we asking for special treatment when we (as we were born) have to deal with things that men will never experience and will never experience anything even slightly comparable? "

To: AT LEAST wrote on Sep 12, 2007 1:00 PM:

" There is nothing disgusting about breastfeeding!! If you were better educated on the subject you would know that there are many benefits to breastfeeding toddlers. I really hope you will take the time to research the subject!!! "

Man wearing a brown paper bag over head wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:46 PM:

" JD....I know a lawyer who will sue your parents, just because your so mean and ugly "

I am all for accomodating wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:38 PM:

" a mother trying to make a great life for her and her family, but come on. They already gave her an extra day. She should count her blessings. "

End of the line wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:33 PM:

" I think I will defer to someone getting a MD-PhD from Harvard on what her needs are. However, no matter how smart you are, once you've been accomodated as 'special' above everyone else, it seems like there's no end to what they ask for. "

Fyi wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:31 PM:

" About 15 mins is all it takes to use a pump and bag it; still time for a snack. "

Spooky wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:06 PM:

" Gimme, gimme, gimme, then give me some more. Society needs to get it's head out of it's behind. "

to to look from look again... wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:02 PM:

" also, what medial condition does she have that would not enable her to hook up two suction cups to her breast and turn on a switch?? Unless she is hand pumping and has a wrist problem, there should be no problem. I had a electric pump and all I had to do was put them on there and turn a switch on. The pump and my body did the rest??? I don't buy it. Perhaps she really wanted extra time to go over notes or something. "

to To: Look.... from Look... wrote on Sep 12, 2007 12:00 PM:

" The kids medical condition has nothing to do with how long it takes her to pump her breast. Just b/c her kid is sick or whatever doesn't mean she needs to go out every time her breast is full to pump. Every working mom who decides to nurse/pump goes through this. I did and I know other woman do to. You pump when you can and get it over with. Besides, when you pump you don't just have enough to fill one bottle, you have enough to fill several. "

to Doctor??? wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:51 AM:

" You demonstrate that you have no clue about what ADHD and dyslexia entail. You have obviously succumbed to the popular (but erroneous) myth that it is all about mixing up numbers and letters. It affects each person in a different manner. Did you know that people with dyslexia and ADHD are generally more intelligent and creative than the general population? Please stop perpetuating stereotypes. "

Man wearing a brown paper bag over head wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:26 AM:

" I know a lawyer who will counter sue her, just for birthing a child. "

JD wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:25 AM:

" I find this typical of many women today. They want 'equal rights' but want special treatment. What they are trying to do, is play the system so they are not equal, but above others due to the special treatment. America has turned into a bunch of whiners who feel they are entitled to everything and responsible for nothing. "

Dr. Feelgood wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:18 AM:

" I'll make a deal with her,i'll pump while she writes and she'll be done in no time! "

Dee wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:14 AM:

" This woman is making it bad for all women who are breastfeeding.. wanting special prviliges, ok, that just showswhat kind of Dr. she's going to be..and who wants her as theri physician anyway..dyalexia, ADHD..uh,NO, she didn't flunk the test due to not being able to pump, uh,she's just not very smart...remember she has ADHD..maybe she can't pay attention long enough...oh, that's why she needs extra time.....but seriously, this is ridiulous..my daughter breast feed, pumped milk for twins, and worked, with no problem.. Grow up lady.... "

To: Doctor wrote on Sep 12, 2007 11:02 AM:

" You don't know that this woman is taking the test to become a Medical Physician! For all we know, her aspirations are to become a researcher of the disease she is afflicted with. "

To: Swifty wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:58 AM:

" Wow! Calling you bitter would be an understatement! "

To: Medical Condition? wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:58 AM:

" Duh, SHE'S the one with the condition! "

To: Look.... wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:57 AM:

" If you read the article, you would know that this person needed the extra time because of a medical condition, which is why this woman is seeking extended break time. It is nobody's business what the medical condition is, but if she has documentation from her physician then there should be no dispute. "

To: Supermom? wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:55 AM:

" Yeah right, you men would have one cramp and beg to be put out of your misery. The only way it would really be a "fair" playing field is if men had to worry about nursing every couple of hours too. I doubt that if a man had to squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of their hoo-ha they would be able to quit crying long enough to take the 7-hour exam four months later. And yes, if there was such an award as supermom, perhaps this woman should be nominated. Not only does she keep house (unlike men), and recently had a baby (unlike men), but she is also actively pursuing a career in medicine on top of all of that! Call me sexist, but I know a man could never do that. They'd be too busy whining about the first task to get around to doing the other stuff!! "

fair wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:50 AM:

" every woman is different she may have an over abundance of milk and may need to pump on a rigid schedule...at the very least she'd probably be uncomfortable and distracted if she didn't pump. What's the big deal just let her pump. "

Swifty wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:49 AM:

" Sounds like she knows how to play the system pretty well. She'll do a fine job charging phony-baloney fees to the government when national health care is passed by President Hillary. "

medical condition? wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:43 AM:

" What medical condition can this child have that it has to have breast milk. Maybe she should just wait til her child eats less often. I had a son 3 and 1/2 months ago and at sf they only give you two 25 min breaks through 8 hour days so i think she can get through this just fine . "

look... wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:21 AM:

" I nursed all three of my children and pumped at times. How much milk does she have? b/c it only took my about a half hour to pump and I was done. And I had a lot of milk. Plus, if she really needed to. she could do other things while pumping. You dont' need both hands to do it either. Heck, while in the hospital with my last one, I ate my dinner while pumping both breast!!! She doesn't need to completely drain her breast dry, pump enough to feel comfortable and get back to the test. good Lord!!!!! "

At least wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:19 AM:

" ...she's not trying to nurse a toddler! That's disgusting. If the kid can nurse standing up, or if they're old enough to ask for it, they are too old to be getting it! "

Doctor? ? ? ? wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:16 AM:

" She has dyslexia & ADHD? ? ? ? ? not sure I would want her for my Doctor - Oooopppppssss - I meant to write that prescription dosage for 1 pill every 12 hours not 12 pills every 1 hour . . . . . "

Why doesn't she wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:14 AM:

" use a hand pump during the test "

Supermom!? wrote on Sep 12, 2007 10:12 AM:

" Women want a family and a carreer, but they want special rights and priviliges to accomplish it. Not too fair, men have always had to have both, and seem to do it pretty good. Women need more practice being all around people, like men! "

ridiculous wrote on Sep 12, 2007 9:32 AM:

" if she has 2 days to do the test that is 4 1/2 hours per day. So then she needs to pump every 2-3 hours - do it before you go in and then take your allotted break that day which would be 22.5 minutes (half of 45 minutes - plenty of time) and then do it afterwards. The chick flunked by a few points and is just trying to milk this - oh, excuse the pun there! I am sure she gets herself up in the middle of the night every 2-3 hours to pump or feed, right? "

Ads by Yahoo!

Learn Forex Trading

Allheartchefs Discount Chef/Cooks Pants

2008 Diet Of The Year: