Breast-Feeding Mom Appeals Decision

BOSTON -- A Harvard student who was denied extra break time during a nine-hour medical exam to pump breast milk returned to court Tuesday.

NewsCenter 5's Shiba Russell reported that Sophie Currier, 33, sued after the National Board of Medical Examiners turned down her request to take more than the standard 45- minutes in breaks during the exam. She said that if she does not nurse her 4-month-old daughter or pump breast milk every few hours she risks medical complications.

"She is not looking for additional testing time. She is not looking for additional accommodations in order to get an advantage on taking the exam itself. She is simply looking for additional time in order to express milk, which is a basic function akin to using the restroom, akin to eating and akin to drinking," attorney Christine Collins said.

"There are numerous people that show up at this test with medical conditions -- irritable bowl syndrome, gastrointestinal issues, and they get no extra time to deal with those very serious conditions that affect both men and women," National Board of Examiners attorney Joe Savage said.

"I have seven letters from other women who have vomited in the exam because they were in so much pain. Women shouldn't have to go through this to take the exam," Currier said.

The Appeals Court judge said that he would issue an opinion on Wednesday.