To      Linda Draper
Re      Ephedra

Ephedra is an herbal preparation of ephedrine.  Ephedrine is a close analog of
methamphetamine.  It is a potent adrenergic stimulant and should not be used in
breastfeeding mothers.  First,  it has few if any clinical uses today,  and
it is most often used as a drug of abuse to produce stimulation.  In overdose,
it has been associated with a number of teenage deaths througout the US.
Please don't recommend that anyone use an herbal remedy containing ephedrine or
herbal ephedra, and certainly not breastfeed while using this compound.

=========================

To      Ione Sims
Re      Ativan

Ativan is just another benzodiazepine with effects similar to diazepam(Valium),
although its half-life is much shorter.  Nevertheless,  I have not heard of
using it to produce prolonged sleep in labor.  Many benzodiazepines induce
amnesia and are not preferred for use in labor and delivery.  It could easily
produce neonatal depression and a real floppy baby with poor suckling.  It both
transfers in-utero directly to the infant and via breastmilk afterward.  Except
for treatment of convulsive seizures, or a rapid induction for anesthesia
(Versed-midazolam), I can't think of another reason to use it during labor.
Lets say its not used routinely by most obstetricians.


Regards
Tom Hale