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Speaking of Women and Work
Monday, September 17, 2007

Undoubtedly you have heard of the breastfeeding medical student, Sophie Currier, who is suing the National Board of Medical Examiners claiming they violated her civil rights because they would not allow extra time for her to take her exam because she needs to pump regularly.

She has a blog (found out about it on Mama Knows Breast) and people are taking her through the ringer over there. Her lawsuit is bringing a lot of attention to her, most of which she probably wasn't ready for and didn't expect.

I happened to catch her on a cable news program last week and when the reporter flogged her with questions about simply wanting extra time to take the exam because she failed it once before, she answered like a pro (I was impressed!). She said it wasn't about her, but about other mothers out there who would face this same problem in the future.

The National Board of Medical Examiners said they would provide a private room for her to pump, but no extra time. I'm a little torn. I don't know if breastfeeding should give her an advantage over her peers who have to take the exam in the allotted time. In fact, I don't know if this case is REALLY worth it. But then again, some may feel my MomsRising stink isn't REALLY worth it either.

Do you think she is going way overboard?

Labels: breastfeeding news

posted by Jennifer James @ 2:56 PM,

11 Comments:

At September 17, 2007 9:20 PM, tanya@motherwearblog said...: I think that it's a real, physical need and that it should be accomodated. Not allowing her to do it poses a risk to her health. I can't believe that it's viewed as a 'special interest' when it's a completely normal human function.
At September 17, 2007 9:26 PM, Elizabeth F. said...: I'm not sure how many breaks they would normally get or how long they are, but if there are breaks couldn't she pump during those? She could take her snack/drink with her or whatever. I've really never thought of this situation before. If she wants to fight it, let her.
At September 17, 2007 11:03 PM, Eilat said...: There is this pump called the "whisper wear" breast pump. you put it in your bra and it is battery operated. If I were her, I would pop the pump into my bra during the exam.

"What's that rhythmic noise accompanied by squirting sounds you ask? Why, its my breast pump! Now I don't need extra break time."

Once all the other students in the room are thoroughly distracted and sue the boards for their distraction as a result of not giving her time to pump outside the exam, they may see things differently.

OK, Im being a little facetious. But still... I pumped for 10 months. It takes time and they should give it to her.
At September 18, 2007 12:30 AM, Aly Cat 121 said...: I'm surprised she's even ready for the exam, with a newborn and all. I am assuming that her need to pump is because she nursing a newborn child. I can barely take a bath, let alone a huge 3,4, or 5 hour exam.
At September 18, 2007 9:30 AM, Mamaebeth said...: maybe i am not understanding how the exam works, but it seems to me they could easily accomodate her.

Big exams like that generally have sections. why don't they just let her take a section then take a break without seeing the next sections. she can have the same amount of time as all the other students but still pump for her baby.

love the idea about the pumping bra.
At September 18, 2007 9:31 AM, Jennifer James said...: Times change and if women want a career and motherhood, there has to be some concessions for mothers in this society. I suppose this is really akin to nursing moms lobbying for extra breaks during work to pump. Now that I think about it, sounds reasonable.
At September 18, 2007 11:03 AM, Brandy said...: During the nine hour exam they are allotted 45 minutes of breaks. The problem is that pumping, even with a great Medela double pump usually takes 15 minutes to get set up, pump, and get your milk put away. If you got 3 breaks that would leave no bathroom time at all unless she wanted to pump and eat a snack on the toilet. Gross. Getting an extra ten minutes to pump is giving her no advantage over any of the other students. Pumping is hard but she should have every opportunity to do so.

Oh and given that she's trying to become a medical professional you would think they might be a little more understanding of the importance. Obviously they don't see it that way.
At September 18, 2007 11:15 AM, Brandy said...: Okay, please attribute my last comment to not reading every article about this case before commenting.

I just read another blog that states the woman gets two days to take the exam because of her ADHD and dyslexia. That means 4.5 hours each day and 45 minutes of breaks each day. With that she should definitely be able to pump before, once during, and after without having a problem getting to the bathroom or getting a snack. She's asking for a bit too much in my opinion (and I am a breastfeeding/pumping mom).
At September 18, 2007 11:42 AM, Jennifer James said...: Brandy, I didn't know ALL that either because I can be a selective reader at times. You're right. That may BE a bit much. It sounds like she really is pushing to have as much leeway as possible since she failed the exam once before. Failing it once does not help her cause in the least. It makes it look like passing her exam is her only motivation.

I want to be in her corner, though. Let me hear some more opinions.
At September 20, 2007 2:46 AM, PacificMod said...: I talked with Sophie and helped write the MomsRising petition supporting her and Janee McConnell, who worked at the grocery store and couldn't pump at work. First, as I understand it, her ADHD and dyslexia are accommodated with another nine hour day, so it's really two full days she's dealing with, not two 4.5 hour days.

More importantly, when I talk with Sophie I hear her passion for making pumping accessible for all women in all situations. She is such a strong advocate for breastfeeding, it's amazing. She truly sees this fight not as her own, but on behalf of all women who face obstacles in pumping and feeding their babies the best they can.

The irony that it's the medical establishment refusing her this accommodation is just sad.

Sophie is extremely well-spoken, passionate and bright. People may disagree about whether she should get extra time, but the thing to keep in mind is that she's not looking for ways to boost her chances to pass the exam. She's looking to change the establishment that's not set up to support moms who choose breastfeeding.
At September 22, 2007 11:13 PM, ChicaDificil said...: People may disagree about whether she should get extra time, but the thing to keep in mind is that she's not looking for ways to boost her chances to pass the exam. She's looking to change the establishment that's not set up to support moms who choose breastfeeding.

Or maybe she is seeking to do both.

I've noticed there are a lot of things Dr. Currier chooses not to mention about her case. Not only will she receive twice the amount of time than is standard to complete the exam, but the NBME has also offered her:

— Privacy, within the constraints of exam security, in the room that she receives on account of her ADA disability to permit her to pump milk while taking the test and on break time. — Permission to bring food and drink into the testing room so she could eat and drink at any time during her test and/or break time. — Permission to bring multiple, assembled pumps to eliminate the time involved in cleaning, assembling and disassembling them. — A sample schedule demonstrating how an examinee can flexibly manage the time to take a 20 to 30 minute break every two or three hours.
source: http://digital50.com/news/items/PR/2007/09/18/NETU130/massachusetts-state-court-hears-suit-by-breastfeeding-mother-on-medical-licensing-exa.html

So really she has ample of time to eat and pump--the official break time plus the unofficial time she can take during the exam.

I think she has gotten enough.