Dear Lactnet Friends:

Tricia Shamblin writes a lovely essay about the dearth of research on the
connection between epidurals and breastfeeding.

However. . . .

As rupture of membranes is more likely to keep a back in a stuck posterior
position (as baby's float mechanism is gone), that factor should be
considered.

As many hospitals have epidurals rates at 80% and above, women don't get a
chance to see how they would do with an unmedicated birth. I know plenty of
mothers who have been persistently asked, reminded and encouraged by
hospital staff to consent to an epidural when it was not part of their
original plan.

Induction and augmentation of labor with synthetic oxytocin is routine,
making the work of the uterus dysrhythmic and more painful. Again, these
factors need to be considered as having an impact on epidural use, and
consequently on breastfeeding.

Medications used in epidurals also have an impact. My wonderful colleague
Kajsa Brymdyr has explored a connection,  described by Beilin and others,
between high dose Fentanyl and lack of self-attachment after birth.

warmly,

Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
Author:* Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy*
www.nikkileehealth.com
https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth

*Get my FREE webinar series *

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