Usually, when we think epidurals, we wonder how they will affect birth, but it turns out that they can have an impact on your breastfeeding relationship as well. What do you need to know? Dianne Cassidy is here to tell us the facts, so you can make an informed decision.
To listen here, click the play button on the player above, or click here to listen in iTunes.
What we talked about:
- What’s in an epidural? Getting our facts straight
- What are the direct effects to the baby?
- How does the impact of epidurals on birth affect breastfeeding?
- IV fluids: making you and baby swell up beyond the first 24 hours
- Fever and separation from baby
- What about the oxytocin flow?
- If you have an epidural, can you counterbalance the effects?
- Teaspoons, probiotics, skin-to-skin, and other tricks that can make things better
More about epidural effects on breastfeeding:
- Booby Traps Series: “Epidurals don’t affect the baby,” and other myths about labor medications and breastfeeding, by Best for Babes
- 6 Ways Epidurals May Affect Breastfeeding
- Effect of labor epidural anesthesia on breast-feeding of healthy full-term newborns delivered vaginally. Research.
- Epidurals and Breastfeeding, from the Australian Breastfeeding Association
- Epidurals and Breastfeeding, from La Leche League International
- Using Epidural Anesthesia During Labor: Benefits and Risks, from American Pregnancy Association
Source: http://www.birthful.com/podcastepiduralsandbreastfeeding/
Dianne Cassidy 