any suggestions for affordable pump or do you feel that yours was worth the big price tag 

thanks

Halsey (ridegrl) told me that you can actually get a breast pump through your insurance (if you are insured).  It can be written off as a prescription at the hospital... the $300 Medela ones even. :)

Lauren beat me to the punch! But yep, ask your doctor about getting one perscribed! I had a scrip for a Medela, which are the best.

so you basically ask your doc. to pesribe which ever one you choose an then how do you go about filling that i guess? you buy it and then file it with the insurance. 

I would talk to your insurance company first and see what they cover. I looked mine up and they don't cover breast pumps and I actually have a really good plan.

I was planning on buying a pump and then went to my breastfeeding class and realized I didn't really need one since I won't be going back to work. I have a hand one just in case that was on babysteals a few months ago made from Medela. I was also told you can rent them from your hospital. My hospital only rents Medela exclusively since their parts can be changed out so there is no cross contamination.  Hope that helps :)

Oh and get on the rent list for the medela asap. We went to rent, but there were no more left to rent :(

Here are some previous threads with breast pump recommendations: 

http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/buying-b-pump-suggestions

http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/breast-pump-recs

http://www.projectwedding.com/post/list/hands-free-vs-pump-in-style

I used a Medela Pump In Style for the 14 months I pumped. If you're going back to work, then a double electric pump is highly recommended. It'll be faster and more efficient than a manual pump. If you will be a SAHM, then a single electric or a manual pump will probably be all you'll need... assuming you need a pump at all.

Another option to consider, depending on whether you'll be a working mom or a SAHM, is renting a hospital-grade pump. They are usually rented on a month-to-month basis and will be the highest quality you can get. And sometimes insurance will cover the hospital rental fee. After a month or two, if you decide that you'll need a pump long-term, then you can buy whatever pump you desire.

If I have to buy another pump for baby #2 (and I hope I don't have to), I'll look at getting an Ameda Purely Yours. It's supposedly just as great as the Medela pump, and a closed system (the motor is completely sealed off). And a little less expensive too.

Based on my experience and from the reviews of other pumping mamas, spending the $$ on a good, quality pump is worth it in the long run. 

Just to add- I was able to get my insurance to pay for my medela pump in style advanced pump.  Our policy only covered it in a case where it was medically necessary.  Our son lost close to 10% of his birth weight and the ped wrote our perscription to get the pump.  The medical supplier sells them for more than they would be at BRU or Target so I ended up paying $85 of it b/c the total for it was more than what our policy would pay.  I called my insurance before I was due and waited to buy a pump just in case a "medically necessary" situation came up.