Pumps...

[TnT10]

Do you know what pump you are getting with your insurance yet? 

I have the Medela PISA currently but have been seeing more people with the Spectra S2.  Does anyone have this pump and recommend it?  I didn't mind the PISA last time but I had some supply issues and have read that the Specta is hospital grade so that may help a little.  I EP for about 5 1/2 weeks due to latching issues with DD, so I just want to make sure that I am prepared to do that again if I need to.  I stopped after that because I was frustrated with EPing and wasn't doing it enough throughout each day, so this time I know going into it that I have to stay on top of pumping if I have to/ decide to go that route again.  

[ellebelle]

My insurance won't let me even look at the forms/options until 28 weeks. I used the Ameda Purely Yours with DD for the first 5 months and then it broke. I needed to replace ASAP with working full time so I bought a PISA while waiting for the replacement Ameda motor. I ended up preferring the PISA. I haven't heard anything about the Spectra S2 yet so will be following to see what others say about that.

[lovegrilledcheese]

My insurance said i need to get a script from my OB at 28 weeks. They only offer a Medela Starter kit double electric pump.

[melody330]

I don't need a script, but I have to wait until 30 days from my due date. They overnight it and it wasn't a big deal.

Last time I got the Ameda Purely Yours. I had a very very hard time pumping back at work, so I will try the Medela PISA this time. I still have my old pump and will keep it for an emergency.

[madamewaffles]

My insurance only offers the bare minimum of what the ACA requires: a manual pump. I have an early lactation consultation in a couple weeks, so I will be discussing electric recommendations with her at that time. I'll be following this thread for more info, though!

[prvc678]

I EP'ed for 10 mos with DD, due to a latch issue because of a lip tie that I couldn't get anyone to fix. I used the Medela PISA and it worked really well (and just as well as the hospital-grade pump I rented briefly). Our insurance will give me a Hygeia pump, however I've heard horrible things about that pump, so I think I'll just take the credit toward another "safety-related" item and buy new tubing for my PISA.

[TnT10]

I think that I have to get a prescription too lovegrilledcheese, I will try to get that at my next appointment in about 3 weeks I think. When I called my insurance they did say that the suppliers may not let me order it until a month out, which I'm fine with.

That sucks that your insurance will only cover a manual pump madamewaffles, those just seem like more trouble than they are worth. It's annoying when companies just offer the bare minimum for that! I know you can rent hospital pumps, so that might be something to check into!

[tootsie]

I need to check again, but I believe I get a choice between the PISA, Spectra, and maybe something else... Ameda? I can't remember. I'm not sure which to pick. I had a PISA last time and it was fine and I liked that I could buy bottles and attachments at Target, but the hospital grade Spectra is tempting. I'm in the same boat as you, TnT10, I don't know what is the best option.

[harlowjune1984]

My insurance covers the Purely Yours that ellebelle, mentioned. With DD, I EP'ed and used a Medela PISA and that thing held up great...I had zero issues with it. However, I have been seeing a lot of complaints about the Purely Yours, and my friends that had them complained about losing suction or motors breaking. Since I EP, I don't really have time to sit around wasting, waiting for new parts to come in. I bought a Medela PISA out of pocket for this baby, and I will get the free one from my insurance as a spare.

[TnT10]

Mar 28, 2016 10:43:00 GMT -5 prvc678 said:

I EP'ed for 10 mos with DD, due to a latch issue because of a lip tie that I couldn't get anyone to fix. I used the Medela PISA and it worked really well (and just as well as the hospital-grade pump I rented briefly). Our insurance will give me a Hygeia pump, however I've heard horrible things about that pump, so I think I'll just take the credit toward another "safety-related" item and buy new tubing for my PISA.

That is great that you were able to EP for that long, go you!  I'm sorry that your LO has a lip tie, has anyone looked into fixing it since then?  Or is it something that needs fixed?  I know very little about it but thought it only affected feeding when they were little, I could be totally wrong on that.  I really liked the PISA, there is a lot of availability for replacement parts and supplemental parts (like bottles for pumping, nipples for feeding, etc).  That's the only downside that I see with the Spectra right now, they don't really have much of that.

[housecarder]

My insurance was awesome about it. I called and they didn't need anything from my OB, they just asked if I wanted a manual or electric. They also gave me a number that I call every 90 days to get more bags for freezing. Mine is an Ameda something or other.

I didn't BF either of my others but with them being early I wanted to try this time. My job is super chaotic and it will be hard to set up pumping time and get the pump through security when I return to work, but at least I can give them as much as possible while I'm on maternity leave. After that I'll probably switch to formula.

[TnT10]

I'm glad to see there were others that EP last time, it's not something you usually hear much about. I'm hoping to not have to do that again but will for probably the first six weeks if I have to.

[Ray]

Pumps aren't covered here but I got the Medela Swing - I've heard good things so FX it works!

[prvc678]

Mar 28, 2016 10:54:11 GMT -5 TnT10 said:

Mar 28, 2016 10:43:00 GMT -5 prvc678 said:

I EP'ed for 10 mos with DD, due to a latch issue because of a lip tie that I couldn't get anyone to fix. I used the Medela PISA and it worked really well (and just as well as the hospital-grade pump I rented briefly). Our insurance will give me a Hygeia pump, however I've heard horrible things about that pump, so I think I'll just take the credit toward another "safety-related" item and buy new tubing for my PISA.

That is great that you were able to EP for that long, go you!  I'm sorry that your LO has a lip tie, has anyone looked into fixing it since then?  Or is it something that needs fixed?  I know very little about it but thought it only affected feeding when they were little, I could be totally wrong on that.  I really liked the PISA, there is a lot of availability for replacement parts and supplemental parts (like bottles for pumping, nipples for feeding, etc).  That's the only downside that I see with the Spectra right now, they don't really have much of that.

Thanks! It's an upper lip tie--a thick piece of skin that connects her top lip and gums between her front teeth (if that makes sense). The only thing I've been told could become an issue is that her front teeth may end up having a gap. That doesn't seem to be a problem thus far, so I don't know if it'll need to be fixed. I am embarassed to say I haven't taken her to a dentist yet, but that's on my to-do list, so we will see what the dentist says. When the LC noticed her lip tie, I consulted with 2 pediatric dentists and an oral surgeon, all of whom were convinced it wasn't affecting breastfeeding and none of whom were willing to fix it (the oral surgeon said it would require surgery and general anesthesia, which he didn't feel comfortable doing on a 2 month-old). We have had zero feeding issues as she has gotten older.

I'm curious to see what others have to say about the Spectra too, in the event I end up ep'ing again. Bf'ing and then ep'ing were very challenging for me (to say the least), due to DD's lip tie and recurrent mastitis (I had it 7x in 4 mos), so this time, I'm going to be much easier on myself and will probably throw in the towel much earlier if problems arise. I am 100% convinced my issues with bf'ing contributed to my PPD. But that's a totally separate issue.

[TnT10]

Mar 28, 2016 11:07:36 GMT -5 Ray said:

Pumps aren't covered here but I got the Medela Swing - I've heard good things so FX it works!

I've heard lots of good things about that one and it's super portable! 

[lovegrilledcheese]

Mar 28, 2016 10:46:09 GMT -5 TnT10 said:

I think that I have to get a prescription too lovegrilledcheese, I will try to get that at my next appointment in about 3 weeks I think. When I called my insurance they did say that the suppliers may not let me order it until a month out, which I'm fine with.

That sucks that your insurance will only cover a manual pump madamewaffles, those just seem like more trouble than they are worth. It's annoying when companies just offer the bare minimum for that! I know you can rent hospital pumps, so that might be something to check into!

The suppliers for my insurance gave me the fax number and how to word the script. They said I can do it as early as 28 weeks.

[TnT10]

Mar 28, 2016 11:09:10 GMT -5 prvc678 said:

Mar 28, 2016 10:54:11 GMT -5 TnT10 said:

That is great that you were able to EP for that long, go you!  I'm sorry that your LO has a lip tie, has anyone looked into fixing it since then?  Or is it something that needs fixed?  I know very little about it but thought it only affected feeding when they were little, I could be totally wrong on that.  I really liked the PISA, there is a lot of availability for replacement parts and supplemental parts (like bottles for pumping, nipples for feeding, etc).  That's the only downside that I see with the Spectra right now, they don't really have much of that.

Thanks! It's an upper lip tie--a thick piece of skin that connects her top lip and gums between her front teeth (if that makes sense). The only thing I've been told could become an issue is that her front teeth may end up having a gap. That doesn't seem to be a problem thus far, so I don't know if it'll need to be fixed. I am embarassed to say I haven't taken her to a dentist yet, but that's on my to-do list, so we will see what the dentist says. When the LC noticed her lip tie, I consulted with 2 pediatric dentists and an oral surgeon, all of whom were convinced it wasn't affecting breastfeeding and none of whom were willing to fix it (the oral surgeon said it would require surgery and general anesthesia, which he didn't feel comfortable doing on a 2 month-old). We have had zero feeding issues as she has gotten older.

I'm curious to see what others have to say about the Spectra too, in the event I end up ep'ing again. Bf'ing and then ep'ing were very challenging for me (to say the least), due to DD's lip tie and recurrent mastitis (I had it 7x in 4 mos), so this time, I'm going to be much easier on myself and will probably throw in the towel much earlier if problems arise. I am 100% convinced my issues with bf'ing contributed to my PPD. But that's a totally separate issue.

I don't think you should be concerned with the dentist, I keep getting told that DD doesn't need to come in until 3 or so.  What I have heard about lip ties (at least around where I live) is that most doctors are very hesitant to diagnose it and even more hesitant to do the procedures to correct it.  That's good it isn't causing any issues now though! 

Holy cow, mastitis that many times is insane!  I think that feeding issues can contribute a LOT to PPD, especially how much you are made to feel that you HAVE to breastfeed during your pregnancy. I know it made me feel like a failure when I had to supplement and I was torturing myself with pumping (I didn't like the feeling and it tended to irritate me), I threw in the towel finally and decided my happiness was more important for the rest of my leave.  And formula is a good way to feed your child too, it just took me a while to accept that.  So I have a little anxiety going into it this time from my experience last time, but I will be more prepared I feel like to make the decision to switch to FF if I need to.  

[jenn83]

I borrowed my sister's PISA last time and it worked great. This time insurance covered the Medela PIS starter kit. Essentially it is just the pump and two bottles without a bag. I just plan on getting a bag and some more bottles with the freezer pack and I am ready to go. I got it about a month ago. My OB wrote a prescription and I didnt have any trouble. I used Babies R Us' program.

[littlesthobo]

Mar 28, 2016 11:07:36 GMT -5 Ray said:

Pumps aren't covered here but I got the Medela Swing - I've heard good things so FX it works!

This is exactly what I bought with DS, it's still in good condition and I'm going to use it again this time around. It was great for the odd pumping session, but if you're going to EP you might want something more. The Swing is super portable, I even pumped in the car a couple times on longer road trips!

[lostinfaith225]

My first thought when opening this thread was that it was about shoes. Ooopppsss

Nothing to add since I am ff. Other than some humor. Haha

[tikoberry99]

Thanks for this post TnT10, it made me call my insurance to find out the deal with the breast pump I get.

Cigna will provide the Medela PISA starter kit so I'm happy to see good reviews from moms here!

[reesarice]

Mar 28, 2016 13:36:00 GMT -5 lostinfaith225 said:

My first thought when opening this thread was that it was about shoes. Ooopppsss

Nothing to add since I am ff. Other than some humor. Haha

Glad I'm not the only one who was thinking shoes!

[TnT10]

I posted this question on the EP board to see if anyone there has used the Spectra pump to get some other reviews! I'll share the link but no one has replied yet, I don't think it's a very active board.

www.goodbyecb.proboards.com/thread/95486/spectra-s2-medela-pisa