Is anyone an IBCLC?

DoulaYvonne · 10-06-2006, 07:22 PM

or are you going down that road?
Just wondering as I've been contemplating it quite a bit the last few months.

heathenmamaof5 · 10-06-2006, 09:17 PM

Yvonne, I'm a retired LLLL and pondered this for a long time. Ultimately I decided that I wanted to become a Midwife more than an IBCLC. What I've discovered is that because of my bf background I come at things a little differently than other Doula's or the midwifes I've worked with. Bf is my primary concern after the babe is born where as others are more apt to just wait and see how it works out. I've just seen too many bf disasters to be that laid back! Just my

and it probably didn't help you at all!

Stacie · 10-07-2006, 01:39 AM

I also want to be a midwife, but because many of the other requirements for me are filled, once I get the hours (I am currently at 1700+) I will sit for the exam -- it can't hurt, right? And like Jill, breastfeeding is something I REALLY focus on with my clients.

MothertheMother · 10-07-2006, 12:17 PM

how many do you have to have Stacie?

heathenmamaof5 · 10-07-2006, 12:56 PM

I was thinking about Yvonne's post last night as I was drifting off to sleep. I thought, "Geez Jill! You weren't very encouraging!" So now I'm going to encourage you to GO FOR IT!!! If you have the hours and feel confident in your ability to pass the exam it would be a great thing to accomplish. WIC paid for a freind of mine to take the exam. At the time she called because she wasn't sure she wanted to be an IBCLC. I encouraged her to go for it because it is a marketable skill. She's now working for a small HMO in her somewhat rural town.

Just my thoughts

and now I need my coffee!

DoulaYvonne · 10-07-2006, 01:56 PM

Christy, the number of breastfeeding counseling hours required depends on which "pathway" you fit into. If you have a 4 year degree, 2 year degree, no college, you are a doctor, you are a RN, these all require differing number of hours. The website for IBLCE has a downloadeable booklet that goes over everything, Prepare to read it 2 or 3 times to understand it though!

Oh, Jill and Stacie, thanks for the input. I have 2000+ hours and I have started to take a few of the basic educational requirements that I don't have ~ I took medical terminology in the spring ~ blech! Also, I have the 45 hour continuing ed covered because of the CLC course. The only problem is, I haven't finished college so I would need even more breastfeeding counseling hours and by the time I get them, the three year statute of limitations will have expired on the 45hour continuing ed! Oh well, if I didn't have kids, a marriage, a business, a life, I would zoom through school and be able to sit for the exam. We'll see. Thanks for the encouragement!

heathenmamaof5 · 10-07-2006, 02:09 PM

One of the reasons I decided not to go the IBCLC route was the dang college thing. Back when I was an active Leader that wasn't a requirement. Now if it wasn't for my little *shock* (twins) I might have done it before the requirements changed. But after these little boys came into our lives everything came to a screaching halt! That's why I felt I had to choose between the lactation or birthing feilds and I chose birth.

I tease and say I want to focus on more than just boobies!

motherstouchdoula · 10-07-2006, 04:57 PM

I am with Jill and Stacy on this one too, I would love to sit for the *test* at some point in my life and as a birth Junkie I have been toying with the idea of Midwifery but I too have small ones at home and they come first so I am playing the wait and see game.
And if you have the hrs go sit for that TEST!! it sure can't hurt and we really do need some good Ibclc's working with mothers..once you take it come move out here we got some evil ones working in some of our hospitals..

quixoticmama · 07-18-2007, 04:20 PM

Where does everyone get their hours? I have an associates, so I think that 4,000 hours are needed? That's A LOT!

heathenmamaof5 · 07-18-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quixoticmama

Where does everyone get their hours? I have an associates, so I think that 4,000 hours are needed? That's A LOT!

A lot of people volunteer at WIC or pg crisis centers, planned parenthood, etc to get their hours. Another idea is to contact your local IBCLC's and see if you can "shadow" them.

I'd suggest pm'ing Stacie to see what she has to say.

Let us know what your thoughts are and keep us posted.

Stacie · 07-18-2007, 06:31 PM

I got your pm, and feel free to bat back and forth with me -- I would love to help you figure this out.

I hit 2000 hours in May, and I may sit for the exam in the next couple of years? Who knows. I will keep you posted!

DoulaYvonne · 07-19-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quixoticmama

Where does everyone get their hours? I have an associates, so I think that 4,000 hours are needed? That's A LOT!

One option that you may be interested in considering is that a new pathway is opening up. "Pathway F" which has NO educational requirements and NO number of BC hours but which requires at least 500 hours of direct supervision, by a recertified IBCLC, in a number of clinical competencies can be a possibility. The other terms such as the 45 hours of continuing ed and the six disciplines are still needed. There are some other fees that are associated with this pathway too. Also, I've been told, it is not uncommon to reimburse your mentor for their time and experience, so that is something to factor in.

IBLCE doesn't have the application available yet, probably late summer/early fall. I would recommend that you look on their website http://iblce.orgto see the whole booklet for exam candidates. That will give you all necessary info. But, like my last post, it can be a bit confusing!

Also since my last post, I have decided to pursue this option. Although I have the number of BC hours, the continuing ed, and 4 out of 6 disciplines covered, I don't have that college degree! Darn! LOL! Soooo, I can either wait a few more years, or go this route. I have already secured my mentor - yippee! That is the hard part. I don't know if I will be able to sit for the exam next summer or not, that's my hope - wish me luck!

quixoticmama · 07-19-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoulaYvonne

One option that you may be interested in considering is that a new pathway is opening up. "Pathway F" which has NO educational requirements and NO number of BC hours but which requires at least 500 hours of direct supervision, by a recertified IBCLC, in a number of clinical competencies can be a possibility. The other terms such as the 45 hours of continuing ed and the six disciplines are still needed. There are some other fees that are associated with this pathway too. Also, I've been told, it is not uncommon to reimburse your mentor for their time and experience, so that is something to factor in.

IBLCE doesn't have the application available yet, probably late summer/early fall. I would recommend that you look on their website http://iblce.orgto see the whole booklet for exam candidates. That will give you all necessary info. But, like my last post, it can be a bit confusing!

Also since my last post, I have decided to pursue this option. Although I have the number of BC hours, the continuing ed, and 4 out of 6 disciplines covered, I don't have that college degree! Darn! LOL! Soooo, I can either wait a few more years, or go this route. I have already secured my mentor - yippee! That is the hard part. I don't know if I will be able to sit for the exam next summer or not, that's my hope - wish me luck!

Thank you so much for letting me know about the new Pathway! Definately something I'll keep an eye out for. We have one IBCLC in our town, who's really sweet - I can't imagine that she'd have a problem mentoring me...although fitting it in with the other full time job might present some difficulties

I don't have ANY of the disciplines beside Sociology (I have a Veterinary Technology degree that was very specific, hardly any gen eds - and I opted out of most of them) - would it still count if I took the class back in 99? However, I work for a University and you can take 2 classes per semester for free

The only discipline that they don't have in an online class form is A&P. Figures

How much does it COST to certify? I've read through everything on the website, and can't seem to find a total - er, maybe I'm overwhelmed and I'm overlooking it!

Hmmm! We should keep in touch!

DoulaYvonne · 07-19-2007, 05:02 PM

The six discuplines are easily obtained through www.health-e-learning.com and they are accepted by IBLCE. I wouldn't worry at all about those. Yes, the sociology course you took in '99 should still be valid. They don't have an expiration.

This pathway is very time intensive. My guess is that it can be done over a number of years though - not sure since I haven't received my application yet. Also, the IBCLC that mentors you has to be recertified.

I'll check on the website and try to find more info for you. You aren't going to find much about Pathway F yet, they had it a few years ago and then got rid of it for two years I think, it is just coming back.

Feel free to ask any questions, I'll be happy to bounce around ideas with you!