I think a lot of us observe poor breastfeeding behaviors after epidural
Fentanyl is administered to the mother.  I'm not aware of any large studies
that have been published on this though.  Every time a mom wants an
epidural, we're going to the narcotic box to get a 5cc ampule of the stuff.
And we have an 85% epidural rate where I work as an L & D nurse, but that's
a different story.

I think maybe Marsha Walker or Linda Smith published an article about this
topic in JHL a few years back.  They are both on Lactnet.

Maurenne Griese, RNC, BSN, CCE, CBE
Manhattan, KS  USA
[log in to unmask]
http://www.networksplus.net/griese

----- Original Message -----
From: "Denise Hartley" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, January 28, 2000 5:45 AM
Subject: fentanyl in labour


I went to a seminar where the speaker said that it was highly preferable to
not use epidural fentanyl in labour as there was some question about where
and how long it may be stored in the neonate after.  There were also
breastfeeding implications due to a possible reduced suck reflex in these
babies.
Has anyone else heard of these sort of effects and do they know where I can
obtain research data.  I have done a search on medline but came up nothing
for Fentanyl and breastfeeding.  Other searches gave me effects of fentanyl
in labour but looked at cord blood analysis etc.  None of them mentioned
effects on breastfeeding specifically.
I would appreciate personal email as I am currently nomail.

Denise

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