I find in the population that I serve, delivering without an epidural, or
having a drug-free childbirth is almost never a goal.  Even when educated
about the risks/benefits of epidurals, some of my patients say outright that
they don't care and they want their epidural as soon as they can have it.
Many others decide in labor that they want that epidural.  At our hospital,
we encourage moms to move about in labor.  We have birth balls, rocking
chairs, showers, and long hallways for walking.  We do intermittent
monitoring and even have telemetry monitors for those moms who need closer
monitoring so they can still be ambulatory.  We are in the process of a
remodel that will put jacuzi tubs in every labor room, too.  We are a small
unit and can uaully provide one on one nursing to every labor patient.
There really seems to be a big attitude shift away from non-medicated
labors, though.  I recently took over another physician's pregnant patients,
and one third trimester mom told me that she didn't want to feel any pain
whatsoever, so could she have her epidural and an induction after?
I'm not sure how to combat this.  I'm currently reading "Impact of Birthing
Practices on Breastfeeding" looking for ammunition to help me. But then,
somehow, I also need to convince folks that normal breastfeeding is a
desirable goal, too!
Jennifer Tieman
Family Physician
Mom to 4, including nursling Caroline Rose, born 5/31/03

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

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