I recently spent a day with a lactation consultant (it was a wonderful 
experience) and could not help but notice one infant, whose mother had an 
epidural, was having a great deal of trouble latching and getting 
coordinated.  I spoke with the lactation consultant and a midwife about 
what I saw and they told me it was common for babies whose mothers had 
epidurals to have problems breastfeeding.  I read an article where the 
importance of informed consent for labor epidurals is discussed (Saunders 
Stein & Dilger).  In the article it is mentioned how informed consent is 
more than just signing a paper. Patients need to know risks, alternatives, 
disired effects, and side effects.  Women are told that epidurals do not 
effect the baby; from what I saw this was not true.

What is your experience with epidurals and breastfeeding?  And are these 
women really giving informed consent?

I am very excited to see what experienced nurses have to say.  I am a 
nursing student at Orvis school of Nursing in Reno Nevada and I plan on 
summarizing the responses that I receive and presenting them to my fellow 
classmates.  Thank you so much for letting me participate in LACNET.

Saunders Stein Dilger (2006). Epub. January 24. 15(2)

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