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Trauma-Informed Care
Sometimes, pregnancy and parenting can bring up unwanted feelings and memories of past trauma. If this is happening to you, you are not alone.
Whether you identify as a survivor or not, we take extra care to create a safe and empowering space for you. Any time we work together, we will focus on your strengths and put your needs first.
Your Bodily Autonomy Matters
Below are some notes about how we approach lactation support for all clients, not just those who have shared a history of trauma.
Touch
We will always ask for consent before touching your body or baby.
Sometimes, it might be helpful to feel inside your baby’s mouth or gently touch your breasts/chest.
For example:
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If your baby is showing signs of a tongue tie or thrush
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If you are showing signs of a possible clogged duct
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If you would like Meagan to show you how to hand express milk
Another time Meagan may ask to touch your body is when showing you ways to hold your baby while feeding, or when teaching you how to get a good latch.
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Your “no” means no. If you or your baby are uncomfortable with any type of touch, we will always respect your choice and we will decide what to do next together.
If you consent to this type of exam, we will examine your baby or your chest while you are sitting upright. We will wear gloves to protect you and your baby.
We always explain what we are doing and what we see during exams, so we can all make informed decisions together. You are welcome to ask us any questions before, during, or after the exam.
Undressing
You will never need to uncover yourself beyond your level of comfort.
Each prenatal visit comes with the option for a physical exam where your breasts/chest would be exposed. For example, you may want to assess nipple size/shape or learn how to hand express milk using your own chest. However, this is not required in the prenatal visit if you do not wish to include it.
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During postnatal visits, it is often helpful to view a breast/chestfeeding or pumping session to figure out what is creating difficulties for you. For example, it is helpful for us to see your baby's latch or behavior while nursing. If you are not comfortable with this during the time of your appointment for any reason, we can discuss other options or reschedule for a later date.
Privacy
Your privacy is important to us.
We will do everything we can to keep your information private. We use password-protected, HIPAA-regulated electronic health record systems for communicating with clients and storing documents.​ If you would like us to share your records with another health care provider besides your baby's pediatrician, we will ask you to fill out and sign a Release of Information document. You may request that we do not share specific information with your provider(s) and we will not do so unless required by law.​
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You can read more about your privacy rights here.
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Sometimes, it may be helpful to take a photo or video during our session together. For example, some clients like to see "before and after" photos of their baby's latch, or they might want photos of feeding positions so they can remember. We will only take a photo or video of you if we have your permission, and we will use your own camera whenever possible.
If you consent to us saving your photos or videos for our future reference, they will be stored in your secure, HIPAA-compliant record. If not, they will be deleted immediately. If you would like us to share your photos/videos with another person, we will ask you to fill out and sign a Release of Information document. We will never share them with another person without your explicit permission.
Triggers
If there is anything we can do to reduce possible triggers or reminders of past trauma during your appointment, please let us know.
You do not need to disclose any details of your trauma with us if you do not choose to.
