Finding the Courage to Breastfeed After Breast Cancer
October 21, 2019
Hosted by Marie Biancuzzo, RN MS IBCLC
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Episode Description
Try to imagine being a nursing mother who discovers a lump in your breast. For a few days, you assume it’s just a plugged duct, and don’t give it much more thought. But it persists, and your doctor says it’s a cancerous lump. How will this affect your milk, or even the functional ability of your breast to produce milk now and in the future? Why is your doctor insisting on an abrupt weaning? What about the surgery, the medications, and the radiation treatments that loom large in your future? And, maybe…the question of your very survival.Join Marie and her guest, Ciara Devine as they discuss her frightening journey. You’ll learn how Ciara’s healthcare team reacted, how she handled weaning her child, how she struggled with the decision to get pregnant during a planned interruption of her anti-cancer drug, and how she found the courage to nurse her second child. Finally, hear Ciara’s recommendation for practical ideas on how to help other women who may find themselves in this situation.
Born to be Breastfed
New shows weekly on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Every new mother hears that breast is best. Many decide to breastfeed so their baby has the best. But soon after birth, the days are often fraught with sleep deprivation and conflicting messages from peers, family members, and health care professionals. Later, negative messages from the media and critical comments from family members and others may trigger mothers to question their decision. Feelings of inadequacy, intimidation and societal pressure to wean can cause mothers to give up breastfeeding before meeting their goals.
The aim of this show is to empower parents to overcome the barriers that keep them from beginning or continuing to breastfeed. Through discussion of hospital practices, milk supply, medications, returning to work, milk storage options, and more, this show will provide an informed and supportive voice for new families and established families, so that they can take charge of their breastfeeding experience from conception through weaning.
Marie Biancuzzo, RN MS IBCLC
Marie Biancuzzo started helping mothers, babies and families to succeed at breastfeeding more than thirty years ago. Fondly remembered for decades by mothers, she earned their trust by helping them to cut through the misinformation, bust the myths, and believe in themselves. Among her peers, Marie has received international recognition as a clinical expert, book author, and national-level change agent. She was a founding member of the United States Breastfeeding Committee, the past president of Baby-Friendly USA, and the founding editor of Nursing for Women's Health.
Marie has both depth and breadth of expertise from having worked in community and teaching hospitals, with mothers and health care providers, in nearly all subspecialties of maternal infant health. From the mother’s hospital bedside to the university classroom, Marie has honed her skills at helping people be good consumers of health care information.
A native of the Rochester, New York area, Marie now resides in the Washington DC area but crisscrosses the country as Director of Breastfeeding Outlook, the education company she founded in 1998. Through her courses and seminars, Marie works to help nurses and other professionals learn how to help families with breastfeeding and related perinatal topics. Recognized for her warmth and personable teaching style, Marie continues to provide direct assistance to mothers, as well.
Marie writes weekly for her blog, The Gold Standard Line.
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