My 2¢ - I think it's very important to rely on evidence based
recommendations in areas like this rather than anecdotal in order to
maintain our credibility. Perhaps saying that some
professionals/mothers/whomever believe that difficulties breastfeeding
may be related to long term epidurals is very different from telling a
client what her doctor doesn't tell her.

In 1985 I had an epidural for about 8 hours or so, pit augmentation,
internal fetal monitoring, and a c/section in which I was loaded up with
morphine and, ultimately, pretty much out of it for a day and a half
after delivery. For that first day and a half, my daughter was fed
formula in the nursery :-(   As soon as I was awake enough to have her,
she latched on like a champ and barely let go for two years.

It's just anecdotal and I would never use this experience (it was an
awful one but to be honest I was incredibly grateful for the epidural by
the time I got it) in discussing the pros and cons of epidurals with
families. I tell them what we know for sure about epidurals, what some
of the opinions are that are not (yet) supported by research, and
suggest they talk with other families about their experiences as well.

Joan Edelstein, DrPH, RN
Professor of Maternity Nursing
San Jose State University
Perinatal Education Coordinator
Kaiser Permanente, Hayward
(Baby Friendly)

             ***********************************************
The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html