A Look at the Research: The Link Between Epidural Analgesia and Breastfeeding

Science & sensibility by Lamaze is bringing us a review of latest research on use of epidural analgesia with possible link to breastfeeding difficulties after the delivery. 

It’s probably fair to say that most women who decide to have an epidural during labor don’t consider its possible impact on breastfeeding. Perhaps this is because no thought is given generally to any possible links between drugs and breastfeeding success (or otherwise). Instead, both pregnant (or laboring) women and caregivers usually assume that breastfeeding is a separate issue. Evidence from early research certainly doesn’t seem to support that view and a little common sense would also lead us to challenge it further…

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in New Mothers: Results from a Two-Stage U.S. National Survey

1. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in New Mothers: Results from Two-Stage U.S. National Survey 

Article first published online: 20 MAY 2011 
DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-536X.2011.00475.x

1. AUTHORS: Cheryl Tatano Beck DNSc, CNM, FAAN,
2. Robert K. Gable EdD, 
3. Carol Sakala PhD, MSPH, 
4. Eugene R. Declercq PhD, MBA

MIDWIFE`S NOTES:

Pregnancy and labour may be diffucult and painful expirience for some women,  leaving permanent impact on the life of the woman and her baby. This study identified main factors in onset of posttraumatic stress disorder. 
- low partner support
- elevated postpartum depressive symptoms
- more physical problems since birth
- less health-promoting behaviors
- eight variables significantly differentiated women who had elevated posttraumatic stress symptom levels from those who did not: no private health insurance, unplanned pregnancy, pressure to have an induction and epidural analgesia, planned cesarean birth, not breastfeeding as long as wanted, not exclusively breastfeeding at 1 month, and consulting with a clinician about mental well-being since birth.