Expressing at a Meeting

[Innat]

Well not actually in a meeting!

I have to go to a whole day meeting next week and was wondering if anyone had any tips for expressing. I'm just wondering how to broach it. It takes me about 40 minutes to empty both sides, so i can't say "I'm just going to nip to the loo!" they'll wonder what's wrong with me.

I'm feeling really uncomfortable about it. I have absolutely no issues with breast feeding in public but somehow whipping out a pump just isn't the same!

Any advice welcome

I just say that I have to nip off and do something and saunter out.

Can you have a word with person chairing and tell them oyu will need to go? Leave confidently and noone will dare ask (and if they do,so what?)

I am brave but no way would I express in a meeting or..anywhere really apart from a totally private place!

i just say I have to skip out for half an hour at xpm and just go - no explanation or excuses. Whole day meetings rarely achieve much anyway.

moondog that's how i feel too!

i know that some people are grossed out by the thought of expressing so i'm just a bit nervous.

It's a small meeting (only 4 of us) so i will be noticed missing for that length of time.

do people usually express in the toilets - seems a bit depressing to shut myself away for that long.

Aren't they obliged to find you somewhere private and suitable?

i think so but we're all home workers so are hiring a place for the meeting.

Can't you pop home or is it too far?

can you time it so you express during a coffee or a lunch break?

i would have a quiet word with the receptionist/porters of the building. there is bound to be a room or office somwehere that is free during the lunch hour.

if they say no then guess you have to sit in the car and cover things up!

would it be possible to do two shorter sessions ? (40 minutes is a long time to express - you might well get nearly as much in say 20 mins).

Too far from home (5 hour drive!)

I like the lunch / coffee break idea. We usually tend to work through them but only if everyone's ok with that. I'll say i have something to do then and try and find a quiet spot.

I think i should speak to my manager and see if she can find me somewhere a bit nicer than the toilets.

thanks for your suggestions - they seem obvious now but sometimes it's hard to think of things by yourself!

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Sally that's a good idea too.
Also throkenholt i hadn't thought of doing shorter sessions. coz i'm normally at home i just tend to empty them completely but i don't necessarily need to do that.
see as i said in my last post - obvious when someone else says it!

I've expressed in the toilets, but also in my car (under a big wrap) more than once.

Encourage everyone to go to lunch, and do it then - even if its just 20 minutes whilst you 'call a client' or whatever.

I would definitely tell someone why you need to leave or you may feel paranoid, that may be just me though, obviously you shouldn't feel you have to say.

There actually was a high flying executive that I read about who did express during board meetings but obviously it's not for everyone!
What kind of venue is the meeting in? Is is a hotel/office? I have usually explained to staff what I need to do and they have always been really obliging about finding somewhere nice.
And if you could break it down into 2 sessions it might make it more workable.