Hi Pamela,
Are you being asked to stop saying (epidurals possibly affect suckling)
this in your prenatal bf classes, or during inpatient contacts with the
mothers./?

Because if during the antenatal period, it seems prudent to give some info,
sharing that there does seem to be some debate. But allowing moms to make
an informed decision about unmedicated vs medicated birth.

If being asked to stop saying it after the baby is born, well I would be
inclined to go along with that request, as the baby is already born, the
epidural is nothing you can change at that point. You can only focus on
what works, such as STS, etc.

Tough situation becoz we want mom to have info re her next birth, and
rather than saying the baby might be having trouble due to the epidural,
you might say "have you ever considered a natural birth? mothers and babies
are much more alert and mobile afterwards" or something like that.

Depending on your population and how much medicalization in your area (we
are completely and totally medicalized, inductions galore, etc but many
sick moms PIH, gestational diabetes, obesity so what are you going to do?),
it would be hard to change the tide by making a point about epidurals.
Unfortunately, LCs and nurses are often very powerless in the USA
healthcare system.

In other words (and I hope everyone doesn't see this as a cop-out), choose
your battles.

Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
Mississippi USA

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