Roni
There are a number of journals that you could search for epidural articles.
The following references are taken from the Bibliography circulated for the
Symposium on the Utilization of Epidurals in Normal Obstetrics. I've
abbreviated a little, not punctuated properly (!) and not updated with
later articles. If you were interested in subscribing personally to a
journal relevant to your work (apart from JHL), I'd look at the Birth
journal, from Blackwell, http://www.blacksci.co.uk/usa (and I have no
pecuniary conflict of interest).
* ACOG Technical Bulletin,225: Obstetric analgesia and anesthesia.
* Baker B. Epidural increases risks of chronic back pain, cesarean section.
Family Practice News, Sept 15 1994.
* Boschert S. Epidural techniques reduce operative deliveries. ObGynNews
Sept 1 1996,34-35.
* Breen T, Shapiro T, Glass B, Foster-Payne D & Oriol N. Epidural
anesthesia for labor in an ambulatory patient. Anesthesia & Analgesia 1993,
77,919-924.
* James C. Pain management for labor and delivery in the 90s. Journal of
the Florida Medical Asscn. 1997. 84:1,28-36.
* Lieberman E, Lang J, Cohen A, D'Agostino R, Datta S & Frigoletto F.
Association of epidural analgesia with cesarean delivery in nulliparas.
Obstetrics & Gynecology. 1996. 88:6,993-1000.
* Pratt S, Soni A, Sarna M, Parker R & Oriol N (1997). Ultra low dose labor
epidural solution affects obstetric outcome but not anesthesiologist work
load: a preliminary report of a review of 2511 patients. Anesthesia &
Analgesia.
* Sarna M, Groves P, Soni A, Foley L, Friedman E & Oriol N (1995). The
effect of intrathecal sufentanil and ultra-low dose of epidural bupivacaine
on progress of labor. Society of Obstetric Anesthesiologist and
Perinatologists.
* Stephenson J (1995). Epidural during first stage of labor quadruples risk
of c-section. Family Practice News (March 15).
* Thorp J & Breedlove G (1996). Epidural analgesia in labor: an evaluation
of risks and benefits. Birth 23:2,63-83.
* World Health Organization (1996). Care in normal birth: a practical
guide.

I'd look for articles by Oriol et al on 'walking epidurals' and the work by
Frigoletto, Lieberman et al seems to be frequently quoted. Lieberman is
speaking at the June Birth conference (epidurals and fever,see Lactnews)
and these few I've quoted (and Jim Thorp) regularly speak on the conference
circuit.

Someone else might direct you to Jan Riordan's work on epidurals and
sucking. I've not read it myself. There's a great opportunity for LCs to
persuade colleagues to undertake a research project here and participate
personally in the work.

Hope this list is useful.

Jan Cornfoot
CAPERS Bookstore & Editor, Birth Issues Journal
Brisbane, Australia