Jean Cotterman theorizes that these two hormones might have a complementary
relationship when secreted endogenously, and I think they must.
ADH conserves body fluids by reducing diuresis.  This would be a rational
thing so that the necessary fluid volume for milk production would be
available.
Increasing one of the two hormones would likely have an effect on the other,
though it is not easy to predict the effect itself.
Spontaneous labor is dependent on endogenous oxytocin.  I don't know whether
endogenous oxytocin in labor is secreted continuously, or whether it comes
in pulses, as it does during BF or with sexual arousal.  Pitocin is
delivered continuously and often at increasing flow rates throughout labor.
The hormonal peaks and valleys of spontaneous labor must be altered by this,
and it is certainly worth wondering what effect that has on breastfeeding.

Epidurals have their own effects, and the IVs which are universal with
epidurals have still others, not to mention the low-grade starvation mothers
often are subjected to while in labor, especially with epidurals.  Drinking
fluids ad lib is not the same as having an IV, even though the volume
ingested and infused might add up to the same total at the end of the day.
Feeling the baby descend through the birth canal and emerging from your body
is not the same as experiencing these things under anesthetic (ewes with
epidurals refused to acknowledge their lambs when they hadn't felt the
birth, I read once, please don't ask me where!).

I know that women can succeed at breastfeeding despite these interventions,
alone and in combination.  But an institution which already intervenes in
birth to such degree, will need excellent skills and policies to make that
happen, especially in a bottle-oriented culture.  I suspect such
combinations are rare.

trying to stay both optimistic and realistic
Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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