digusted with my new OB's office - Page 2

[Mommal]

Originally Posted by Artemnesia

I don't think I will be going back to that office. I'm going to write them a letter explaining why I've lost confidence in their practice, and exactly how they are violating the International Code.

Writing a letter is absolutely the right thing to do. However, I would only leave the practice if you are sure that you have a better alternative. It doesn't make sense to burn your bridges with these folks if they are your best option, YKWIM?

The first practice I went to gave out a similar amount of formula-marketing crapola. Coupons, samples, books, bags- you name it. The nurse even offered to sign me up for some formula company's free give-aways. I looked her square in the eye and told her I wouldn't be needing any of that stuff as I was planning on breastfeeding, and that I was pretty appalled that they were offering all this junk considering the deleterious effect it has on breastfeeding success. I ultimately left that practice, not solely based on the formula issue but their mainstream approach to formula was indicative of broader problems.

Ultimately, I did end up with a "gift" bag from Enfamil. Not from my midwife, but from the hospital where my daughter was born. I took the bag, because I needed a diaper bag. When I ran into difficulties with low supply, you'd better believe I ran for that can of Enfamil and fed that powdered crap to my hungry baby. And no, I wasn't aware (until much later) that the powdered formula was not to be given to newborns.

The whole thing makes me sad, and mad. I wonder if 2 years on it's too late to write my own letters?

[BUNGALOW10]

I somehow lucked out. I've never received a formula sample or coupon... not from my midwife, not from the hospital where I eventually had a c-section, not from my son's ped. Don't know how it happened, I must have hit that magical combination.... or my breastfeeding stink-eye scared them all off

[Materfamilias]

We just got this same media blitz. My DH and I have been trying to find a pediatrician in SC who is at least alt vax tolerant (I won't say friendly--those don't exist down here apparently). We finally found one I think we can live with, and we were handed one of those bags. It was called a welcome bag. In spite of a pamphlet put out by this practice that encourages bfing for at least a year and extols the virtues of their lactation consultant, the bag was full of formula. The thing that pissed me off most was the black "breastfeeding" bag that, on the outside, gave lip service to bfing and on the inside was full of ... formula! WTH?? :
I took the pamphlet and gave the rest back to the staff person and told them we didn't need it, we'd be exclusively bfing. She was shocked.

[soso-lynn]

I would change provider for sure, but then again I would never see an OB unless my midwife was there with me so...

I would however, tell them about how angry I am before leaving their practice. You would at least have the opportunity to make sure they are listening to you and perhaps make some changes (unlikely but still).

[frontierpsych]

I only saw an OB for my second pregnancy (which I lost at 10 weeks) and the paperwork and everything pretty much assumed breastfeeding throughout with a side thought of "some moms choose to use formula", so not too terrible. I've never gotten any free formula anything (well, I think maybe some coupons from Motherhood Maternity or something, but they were thrown in the bag along with tons of other stuff including breast pads and lasinoh). The OBs did assume I was having a c-section though, since my first was stillborn. Cause you know, that makes perfect sense.

[Mandynee22]

Originally Posted by Mommal

And no, I wasn't aware (until much later) that the powdered formula was not to be given to newborns.

The whole thing makes me sad, and mad. I wonder if 2 years on it's too late to write my own letters?

OT: But why can't you use powdered formula for newborns?

NM. I looked it up. I found stuff about why you shouldn't use it for premies in the NICU but it said it wasn't clear about other groups. This is where- http://pediatrics.aappublications.or...full/110/4/833
if anyone cares. Not that I do or will use formula but I also found it interesting that you are NOT supposed to boil the water first like lots of people say to do. Doesn't apply to me, but interesting none the less

[_betsy_]

Good for you for writing a letter! I'd probably leave, too!

I refused anything from a formula maker in the welcome bag at my MW's office. The front desk woman said "Well, you can never be sure that BFing will work out for you."

I hoisted my 19 MO on the counter and said "I lived through hell to get her to nurse, and am still pumping while I WOH FT. She's still nursing. I think I'm pretty committed. Again, please, take out anything with a formula logo. Thanks."

I mean, really? At my MW's office? When I politely asked for it to be removed? You're still going to give me resistance?

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Mandynee22

OT: But why can't you use powdered formula for newborns?

Because it is not sterile, and is frequently contaminated with potentially harmful bacteria. There was a case (in Belgium?) where a healthy newborn died because of formula contamination which resulted in meningitis.

The WHO recommends mixing the powder with hot water (above 70 C, or 160 F) to reduce the risk and kill any bacterial contaminants. See http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/pdfs/botenglish.pdf

[sunnymw]

nak


op--yes, and i also started receiving formula samples in the mail... i signed up for baby clubs but i know these were from my ob selling my info b/c it had my full maiden name... ugh!!!

[hellyaellen]

Originally Posted by evlu

Obviously if a doctor really *must* hand out formula samples, it's better to give them to moms who are already formula feeding. However, IMO, they shouldn't hand them out at all. In general, those samples aren't doing anyone any favors.

NONE of this stuff is really "free" -- not drug samples, not formula samples, not the pens and other trinkets. ALL of this stuff is marketing. The drug and formula companies don't do it to be generous. They do it so that more people will use/be prescribed their product, be it formula or medication. The marketing costs are built into the cost of the product. It's one of the reasons why formula -- and brand-name prescription drugs -- are so expensive.

Overall, giving out free samples does NOT help patients (although most doctors believe it does). Doctors who perpetuate these marketing practices by handing out samples (or drug company trinkets) are helping to keep prices very high. Also, the drugs or formula that they have samples for are almost always the expensive name-brand ones -- if patients start using these, they are usually reluctant to switch if they are "working", and patients are then stuck buying the expensive brand when a cheaper generic medication or store-brand formula might have worked just as well (or better!). Finally, research indicates that doctors alter their prescribing patterns based on what samples they have available; while they might prefer to use a different drug for a particular patient, they will often prescribe the one that they have samples for so they can "help the patient out" with free samples. So those samples can lead to inappropriate drug selection (or presumably formula selection) for a patient. http://nofreelunch.org/patients.htm has more information and lots of references -- it's talking about drug reps, but most of the points apply to formula reps as well.

Doctors should be promoting health and evidence-based practice, not helping the formula and drug companies increase sales at the expense of the patients.

with my first the only samples i got were in the diaper bag the hospital sent home and some that i got in the mail and yeah they did contribute to the end of breastfeeding for me, because they were there and i didn't know better than to use them when my nipples were blistered and HURTING.........

(smile for ds : )

[leosmommy]

I have only a few words to say...

birthing center
midwife
leave a practice if you aren't happy!

we did, and I was 29 weeks...cost us an extra $1200 but it was worth every penny!

and when I got formula samples/coupons in the mail I threw them in the trash because that's all they are to me

I know, I'm rude. sorry.

[Artemnesia]

Originally Posted by leosmommy

I have only a few words to say...

birthing center
midwife
leave a practice if you aren't happy!

we did, and I was 29 weeks...cost us an extra $1200 but it was worth every penny!

and when I got formula samples/coupons in the mail I threw them in the trash because that's all they are to me

I know, I'm rude. sorry.

Yeah I wanted to avoid an hour-long drive to the nearest birth center but this put me over the edge so I'm going to suck it up and commute. I don't want to go to a practice that's so out of touch (not to mention unethical.)

I don't see anything at all wrong with pitching them. If they go to waste that's on the abm company's conscience not mine. If they're truly needed by someone else they should be sent there in the first place not spammed to every pregnant woman in existence IMO. I want nothing to do with it.

[Mommal]

Originally Posted by Artemnesia

Yeah I wanted to avoid an hour-long drive to the nearest birth center but this put me over the edge so I'm going to suck it up and commute.

Good choice! An hour is not too far to drive for a good birth experience. We were 50 minutes away from the hospital where DD was born, and I am so glad we elected to drive the extra distance!!!

[APmomto3boys]

Good for you for writing a letter!!

Our ped's office has a big display of the 'breastfeeding support' kits from enfamil. I hate it. I have said something about it twice now but they are still there. The support kits have formula in them, of course. My ped said the company just comes in once a month and sets it up, she acted like it did not matter, just shrugged it off. I really need to sit down and write to their office as well.

[*MamaJen*]

Good choice, Artemnesia. There are plenty of worse elements to a standard OB practice than formula coupons. I think you'll find midwives better all around.

[jesrox]

Originally Posted by Artemnesia

I don't think donating the stuff solves the problem. How do I know it isn't going to be used to undermine someone if it goes to a food bank? And food banks, by the way, are not short on formula. Companies actually bid for the contracts to be able to donate. In the end it makes them more money. It's more advertising. Not to mention that at least in the US families in need can always get artificial milk from WIC.

I always donated my formula and formula coupons that I seemed to get no matter what to domestic violence shelters. In a domestic violence situation some abusers may not allow the women to initiate nursing, or the stress may cause them to have low milk supply. I would rather have a woman in need have the formula than throw it away. Some people out there legitimately cannot breastfeed either because of social or physical reasons.


My OB's office had the little postcards you could fill out to get on the new baby mailing list...even though I didn't fill anything out, I still got formula samples in the mail!! Never was given it personally though, by my OB office I mean. However I did sign up for the mailing list at motherhood maternity which is why I think I got so many samples :

[diamond lil]

Originally Posted by sunnymw

nak


op--yes, and i also started receiving formula samples in the mail... i signed up for baby clubs but i know these were from my ob selling my info b/c it had my full maiden name... ugh!!!

My insurance company sold me out. We get formula coupons and propaganda in the mail addressed to my HUSBAND, because I am covered under his insurance.

[diamond lil]

Originally Posted by jesrox

I always donated my formula and formula coupons that I seemed to get no matter what to domestic violence shelters.

This is generous of you and I'm sure God will bless you for it, but the coupons have a code on them that links back to you as a consumer. So, if the coupons are used (scanned), you may end up getting more and more stuff in the mail. That could be a problem if you are irritated by receiving junk from formula companies in the mail.