Donna-
You asked about a reference for the side effects of epidurals on newborns. I
think this is the one you were talking about:
Loftus J, Hill H, Cohen S: Placental transfer and neonatal effects of
epidural sufentanil and fentanyl administered with bupivacaine during labor.
Anesthesiology 1995; 83:300-308
This very nicely states that these medications cross into the baby and that
"fentanyl administration was associated with lower neurobehavioral test
scores at 24 hours of life." I really like the statement acknowledging that
these highly lipophilic (attracted to fat) drugs may well be sequestered in
the neonatal brain!!!!
Hope this helps