Nikki,
 
Thank you for a most excellent post on the epidural research that was  quoted 
in Mary's post.  Let me add one more to that:  Radzmynski's  2003 research 
showed that "very low dose epidurals given to *experienced  multips* (emphasis 
mine) seemingly resulted in no effect on breastfeeding.   Well, take a look at 
that.  For the most part, a MULTIP is going to have an  epidural in a lot 
shorter period of time than a primip.  She's going to  have less medication over 
all -- AND, she's experienced!  Overall, there is  a huge difference between an 
experienced multip and an inexperienced primip in  initiating breastfeeding 
to begin with.  So I did not find her study in  favor of epidurals not 
affecting breastfeeding (was that a double  negative??)
 
Anyway, no one seems to have done a research study on the length of time an  
epidural is in place and the number of boluses a mother gets when we are 
looking  at the impact on breastfeeding.  I'd like to see that one.  
 
What about the study in July, 2005 (researcher escapes me now, but it was  in 
the BMJ) that showed that use of Fentanyl during labor negatively impacted  
breastfeeding, and there was, by discharge,  a 63% increase in the use of  
bottles for babies whose mothers received Fentanyl during labor.  Fentanyl  is a 
CNS depressant.  And yes, it does get to the baby even through the  epidural....
 
Anyway, we need lots more studies....
 
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(") Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, RLC  -- Wheaton IL

_Lactation Education  Consultants_ 
(http://www.lactationeducationconsultants.com/)  
_My Mother of the Bride  Blog_ (http://www.motherofbridebyjan.blogspot.com/)  
_Torrey's  Blog_ (http://www.marriedcouplebytorrey.blogspot.com/)  






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