Anesthetic and Epidural Medications in Breastfeeding Mothers

Many mothers need epidurals for pain relief during labor. In fact, epidurals became very popular in the 1980's. For many moms, this procedure became the answer to a pain-free birth Furthermore, it is a fantastic pain relieving method, that is the result of a combination of an opiate (Fentalyn) drug, combined with a local anesthetic. An anesthesiologist administers it via a catheter, placed in the epidural space near the base of the spinal cord.This numbs the nerves that bring sensation to the lower body, helping moms with the labor of pain. Epidural analgesia provides rapid pain relief for moms during childbirth. However, epidurals can and do affect breastfeeding. Epidural is a relatively safe method to use. However, every medication has side effects. Ironically, a procedure that is meant to eliminate pain can lead to more pain after delivery and problems with breastfeeding. Early breastfeeding after delivery, gives mom and baby the best chance of getting breastfeeding off to a good start. Furthermore, skin to skin is very important too. So, as soon as you deliver, try to breastfeed. If for some reason mom has to be separated from her baby, she should try a hospital grade pump and start pumping her first breast milk, Colostrum.This will start to help to stimulate your body for breastfeeding your baby. Epidurals can and do affect breastfeeding. When you receive an epidural, you need to get an IV fluid bag because epidural lowers your blood pressure. Furthermore, breastfeeding babies whose moms have had an epidural have a tendency to be more sleepy at birth, have a disorganized suck pattern and a reduced interest in breastfeeding in general. Epidurals can interfere with the normal process of labor by speeding things up or slowing things down. In fact, epidurals are known to be associated with a higher rate of instrumental delivery and Caesarean births. With epidurals, there is also an increased use of a forceps delivery or vacuum extraction or possibly mom has an increase perineal tearing because mom has a decreased sensation or control of her pushing. Epidurals can influence the fluctuation of hormone levels, which play an important role in breastfeeding. Hormonal production may go down and the release of hormones oxytocin, a hormone responsible for the letdown, ejection, of breast milk, and prolactin, hormone for milk production, may be compromised. Follow your mind and body and see what your body can tolerate as far as pain and discomfort goes. Alternate pain relieving options for birth may be the right choice for some moms.Some of these methods are hydrotherapy, visualization, movement and breathing techniques such as Lamaze or Bradley Methods. I used breathing methods for all my births. However, whatever method a mom chooses, she should feel in her heart that it is the right one for her and be able to experience a good, comfortable birth by having a positive experience giving birth to her child or children. In conclusion, more research is still needed to study epidurals and breastfeeding connections. Having a natural unmedicated childbirth may be an option. However, talk it over carefully with your family and healthcare provider and make sure that this is the right option for you.Understand your options available when making a choice about the pain relief medications you will be receiving during labor.