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The hands free bra is really worth it, and I think I paid maybe $30-35 for mine, so think of it as an extra $5-10 instead of extra $40?

That being said I don't have the freestyle so I can't speak to how useful that pump is over the PISA. I know a lot of moms recommend that one but I had a pre delivery consult with a LC at the hospital and she didn't recommend it. She steered me toward the Spectra or PISA. I occasionally wish that I had some thing more portable but most of the time I'm fine being next to a plug because I have a dedicated pump room at work.

@Amorini: also pregnant with my first here. I had basically your same thought process and paid $200 for the Freestyle with my HSA card, which I minded less than using my Amex. it didn't come with a hands-free bra, so I also bought the Simple Wishes bra everyone has from Amazon for an additional $33. from what I understand, a hands-free bra is essential, so, at least you'd already have it?

I have United insurance, and the Medela PISA would have been totally free, but I heard the Freestyle was much more portable/easy, and I commute on the train every day and will be pumping at work. that said, a lot of people seem to say the PISA has more suction and they like it better--that's also what I read on Lucie's List. So, meh. I'm due in a couple days, I'll let you know how I like it

I did not have it, and it was not necessary. I have a pretty demanding job. I almost always pump in my office, so the battery pack is not an issue. I very rarely pump at home, and there are outlets there. I have a car commute, so size is not an issue for me. The Ameda Purely Yours is very small if you only need a small pump. I have the Ameda Purely Yours and the Spectra S2, and they are both fine, although the Spectra has an easier time getting a letdown.

A hands free bra is essential. However, I have a Medela hands free bra, and it is useless, because it is not sufficiently adjustable.

I would spend the extra money on lots of spare parts (after the baby arrives so you know what size flanges you need).

@Amorini: No, the Simple Wishes bra is great. There are a lot more sizes, but I was thinking for extras. I have four sets (mostly the same size). This way, I can go a few days without having to do dishes (I run them in the dishwasher). It would be very hard to do other things while pumping, without something like pumpin pals. I always had spillage when I tried to do anything involving movement. I also rarely pumped at home after maternity leave (maybe 5-10 times with my first, and not yet with my 7 month old.)

@Amorini: in regards to getting stuff done, you can do pretty much anything that is stationary. Walking around is more difficult because if the flanges get too tilted, they can leak milk, and also I have to use 8 ounce bottles for all of my milk, so it gets more in the way. However, in the last month or two, I've noticed that I get more milk when I stop working and start relaxing / imagining baby / focusing on sensations.

Also, if you're looking for convenience, look into using freemie cups with a Medela. Next baby I'm definitely getting them from the beginning. I haven't tried them, but I would love to.

@T.H.O.U.: Yeah - same. I really needed to hand-massage to get milk out. Not good for multitasking.

@Amorini: I wore a nursing bra, so usually I just lifted my shirt, Unlatched the cups, and held the flanges on with one hand/arm and used the other hand to surf the web, watch videos of H, and massage my breasts. I only used the hands free at home where it didn't matter if I took my whole top off. I was pumping in a storage closet while balancing my pump on either my knees or a box, so the bra was just a hassle.

@Amorini: I'm curious what your other (less expensive) options would be for a pump?
Also: looking back I wish I had a hands free bra and will definitely be getting one this time around.
I couldn't do anything while pumping because I had to hold the flanges myself, and pumping was hard because even at full strength, I wasn't getting much output so I also had to manually "pump" my breasts to get more. So basically there was no such thing as hands free.
But hopefully with a better pump and bra, that won't be an issue again

@Shantuck: Yes, definitely getting the dairy fairy pumping / nursing bra next time too! That would be awesome. I wonder if the sizing is as customizable as the simple wishes bra?

In regards to "hands-free" I like that the bra gives me the option. I'd say in reality, about 50% of the time I'm also doing breast massage / compressions to get out more milk, which I couldn't do easily without the hands-free bra.

And, as others have said, I just use the hands-free bra on top of my nursing bra. Not ideal, but it works.

@Amorini: aw, thanks for the silent rooting I'm getting so impatient to meet him. you're coming up pretty fast here, too!

I also was surprised to find that only one of the 3 places I could order from through my insurance even offered the Freestyle. the other thing I forgot to add that pushed me to get that over the PISA (besides ardent testimonials from the second- and third-time August moms who I trust) is that with my options, the Freestyle came with all the crap that you need--the bag, the ice pack cooler thing, bottles, I forget what else--whereas the PISA didn't have any of that stuff, and I would have had to buy it separately. not sure if your options are similar, but something to consider.

agree that the hands-free pumping bra is ridiculous. like @Shantuck: said, I'm thinking about getting a Dairy Fairy bra for when I go back to work, just going to feel it out because I'm so annoyed at how much money I'm spending on first maternity clothes and maternity bras for my now-huge boobs, then the pump/flanges/bottles, and now all these nursing tanks/nursing bras/pumping bras blahhhhhhh

@Amorini: Freestyle user here and I love it (well as much as one can love a pump). I not only pumped at work but also at home and having the possibility to move around and tend to baby while pumping was really important to me. I didn't have that possibility with the hospital grade rental I had at first and it drove me crazy.

@Amorini: I left it at work during the week but I did lug it around here & there on weekends b/c DD didn't nurse well in public... I have never tried the Freestyle (but I've seen it in action), but I didn't mind the PISA that much. I did buy a car adapter as well as a battery pack to make it truly portable. I used my own bag to carry everything, and I didn't think it was too bad!

I have the Freestyle and the Simple Wishes bra and have loved both. It completely helped me establish pumping while on maternity leave. After I fed my LO, I'd pump in my bathrobe while making breakfast! It was great. I've heard the same recommendations that the PISA is more powerful, but this has worked for me. I don't have any good spot for pumping at work and the flexibility of not needing to be by and outlet has been huge.

I've had the same Freestyle (no replacement parts or anything) since 2012. I pumped 1-3x/day for a year while working FT with LO1. I pumped 1-2x/day for a year while SAH with LO2. And I plan to pump 1x/day while SAH with LO3. It was super-easy and convenient to take with me and pump wherever when I travel for weekends away with just DH, or (for example) when I went to Paris for a week to visit a friend and had to pump in the airport or on the plane. I never had any problems with suction or my milk output, and the portability was awesome to have.

@Amorini: Closed vs Open system basically refers to whether the tubing is blocked off from the milk. With an open system there is no barrier and milk can potentially get into the tubing which can be difficult to properly clean. Condensation and dust can also build up. With a closed system there is a barrier so the tubes always stay dry and clean.