>Great critique of the studies which previously showed that epidurals
>have no effect on the newborn.
>
But, my husband, an anti-laboring-epidural / pro-breastfeeding
anesthesiologist just got his latest issue of Anesthesiology News.
Headline article discusses a new study by a Dr. Stephen Halpern done at
Women's College Hospital, affiliated with Univ of Toronto.  They supposedly
found no difference, though he admits the breastfeeding support staff at
his hospital is top-notch.  He gives good numbers, and it sounds like a
small study.  I did notice that none of their patients got epidural
demerol.  Maybe someone should look into what is in the epidural (drug) as
the cause of problems.  All those drugs have different absorption ratios,
etc.  They also didn't mention length of time the mom/baby had the epidural
in, which would effect amount of drug absorbed by baby.  Until I see better
data, I'll keep a skeptical eye out.