Dear Friends:
Thank you, Mary. for bringing out some important points. The research
about epidural anesthesia's impact on breastfeeding is mixed.
I find it interesting that Dr. Berens did not discuss the articles that
were very strong in showing the impact of anesthesia (Ransjo-Arvidson
compared unmedicated babies, with babies exposed to pudendal block and a third
group exposed to epidural) on infant pre-feeding behaviors (suckling, hand
massage movements), crying, and infant temperature. Mathiesson is an author of
another study looking at similar results.
Odent cites other literature from mammal studies showing how epidurals
interfere with maternal attachment. As we are mammals, and we are certainly in
our profession, dealing with a diminished attachment to babies and
breastfeeding, I see that literature as important. It is common in the US to put 6
week old infants in daycare; it is even supported by government policy.
Epidural is one big piece of a very complex situation; and does not help
most mothers and babies. While some women certainly benefit from their use,
all women do not need this expensive, environmentally taxing, and risky
procedure.
And I can't help but be a bit suspicious of an OB/GYN who is on the
stump for epidurals, and claims to be a breastfeeding advocate. How do we know
she is an advocate?
warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE
Maternal-Child Adjunct Faculty Union Institute and University
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human Lactation
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com
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