Hi All,

 

Are there any research studies, data, etc out there that show how epidural
meds DO go into the bloodstream and CAN (and sometimes DO) affect that baby?


 

I just saw a client yesterday (Sunday) whose birth was augmented with LOTS
of pitocin (per mom "they upped the pitocin dose 3 times, so I kept pushing
that epidural med button because I was in so much pain!") - baby had NO
rooting reflex at all for the first 6 days of her life (she was 10 days at
visit).  The Dr and anesth told mom that the epidural meds DO NOT go to the
baby - even tho the meds are in the bloodstream.  Baby went to sleep immed
after birth and wouldn't BF - the nurses in the NICU repeatedly forced
bottles of formula into this baby's mouth (wiggling them vigorously) because
the multiple heel sticks indicated low blood sugar.  Then baby was forced to
attempt latch at breast repeatedly while screaming.GRRRR!!!!  Of course baby
has breast aversion, a dysfunctional suck (I did a suck eval with flow of
milk)- baby was stressed with FF as well as bottle feeding, pronounced
guarding of her airway.  So, so sad.  I taught parents how to safely pace
feedings so that baby could relax - which she did.  ALL feedings had been
stressful for baby as evidenced by hands at face, eyes WIDE open, crying,
gulping followed by choking, coughing, then shutting down.  They are doing
LOTS of S2S and giving baby time to 'heal'.

 

So, besides any real research done on the effect of Epidural meds on baby,
when a baby shuts down like that after birth - no rooting reflex or sucking
reflex - wouldn't it be gentler and actually less invasive to do a NG-tube
(and leave it there, not take it out and put it in over and over) for feeds,
and have mom do lots of skin to skin and respect the baby's inability to
root and suck than to force feed and create a baby who is subsequently
orally aversive?  

 

Frustrated by 2 babies in this situation this week..all needless.

 

Jaye


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