The epidural space is not a completely sequestered compartment in the mother's body. If it were, the epidural effects would be permanent. The drugs enter the maternal circulation and are metabolized, normally by the liver, and while in circulation can enter the fetal circulation as well. Some drugs are more rapidly metabolized than others, but all drugs are more rapidly metabolized by mother's liver than by the baby's. Any drugs still in the fetal circulation when the fetus turns into an infant with its own respiration and waste excretion, separate from mother's, will last as long as it takes for the baby to metabolize them. Also, some of the metabolites of analgesics are themselves analgesic in effect, and are longer lasting. Rachel Myr Kristiansand, Norway *********************************************** 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(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html