First, let it be clear that I am not a lactation consultant.  I'm a rogue
anthropologist.

Second, I am not philosophically in favor of pain.  I do think there are
many ways to handle labor and delivery that reduce pain other than using
drugs with side-effects that interfere with breastfeeding, such as feeling
safe, surrounded by familiar people who respect you (there's a concept),
moving around, massage, squatting, immersion in water, breathing techniques,
and so on.  See the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services web site for
more details.

I think it would be wonderful if someone would develop a form of epidural or
IV pain-reliever that didn't slow down labor, didn't result in a sleepy
baby, etc.  I'm not opposed to pain relief when it is needed.  But no one
will ever put any effort into developing alternative pain relief drugs until
the anesthesiologists and labor/delivery doctors and nurses and parents (1)
acknowledge that current medications have adverse effects on breastfeeding
and (2) decide that breastfeeding matters.

Boy, I'm on a tear today.  I'm gonna go eat lunch.

Kathy Dettwyler

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