Hi Jean, Thanks for your interpretation of the article. I see your point, I didn't interprete it the same way. I don't think they were implying epidural vs c/section. They were comparing low-dose to regular dose epidurals and the effects on operative vaginal procedures, (forceps/vaccum), finding less need for *operative vaginal procedures* in the low dose group. <<<<<<What I thought they were implying was that they had somehow shown that those vaginal deliveries were more stressful on the babies than a C. Section delivery would have been>>>> I still believe that it's the interventions with birth that very often CAUSE the complications, including c/sections. If they don't give epidurals so early in the labor, and that would include low dose or regular dose epidurals, the c/section rate would not be as high. Epidurals slow and/or stop the labor, the women don't progress, they use pitocin, and after not being able to push effectively, they try forceps or vaccum, if that doesn't work they do a section. If we, as a society, empowered women to believe in their ability to give birth, if doctors didn't push epidural, but offered support and encouragement, I believe we would have better mom/infant outcomes. Look around the world, where epidurals are not used as much, they have much better mom/infant outcomes then we have in the US. Can you hear my frustration? Roni M. Chastain, RN, LCCE, FACCE Long Island, New York *********************************************** 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