Epidurals and breastfeeding

NYCVeg · #1 10-06-2004, 09:57 AM

Hi. I'm new to this board. Not pregnant, but my husband and I are planning to start trying in a few months. We're also moving (temporarily), so I'm investigating all my options before I choose a new healthcare provider.

I'm curious if women who have had epidurals could tell me if/how the epidural affected breastfeeding. Were you able to breastfeed immediately? Did the hospital give your child formula or artificial nipples against your wishes?

Thanks!

Christa · #2 10-06-2004, 11:06 AM

I did have an epidural with dd #1 six years ago. I also had a million other unwanted interventions, but that is a long story. With dd #2, the birth was all natural - no bufcap, no meds, no internal monitoring, etc.

I was able to bf both girls immediately & had no major problems with bf related to the epidural w/ dd#1 (as far as I could tell!). However, I did hemorrhage after dd#1 was delivered due to an overdose of pitocin (they gave me the max dosage for 3 days straight). They had to medicate me to stop the bleeding & Angelina was taken away from me for longer than I would have liked. I was also very foggy-brained from the methergen that they gave me to stop the bleeding. I had told them not to give her a pacifier in the nursery, but I can't guarantee that they didn't.

With Tessa (dd#2), I felt a lot more in control of what happened to her b/c I felt more in control of the labor & delivery. Although, I would have to say that it was probably all of the other interventions that caused the problems w/ Angelina's delivery & not necessarily the epidural.

Erin Pavlina · #3 10-06-2004, 11:33 AM

My first delivery I had an epidural after laboring on pitocin for 30 hours. I was too tired to consider trying to breastfeed after she was born. We tried in the hospital but couldn't get it done. However, I was able to get her latched on by day 5 and there was no stopping us after that.

With my second delivery, he ended up in the NICU for 10 days and they wouldn't let me breastfeed him until day 5. He latched on right quick I can tell you that. Poor kid was starving.

In specific answer to your question, however, I don't think an epidural will affect your ability to breastfeed since your brain isn't foggy or anything. Everything should be in working order right after the birth. If you want to BF after birth, go for it. If for some reason you can't, or don't want to, no worries... it will still happen later.

NYCVeg · #4 10-06-2004, 12:43 PM

Thanks for sharing your experiences. In a purely theoretical sense (given that I'm not pregnant!), I'm aiming for natural childbirth. But I also know that, particularly with a first birth and my long history of being a weenie, there is the possibility that I'll feel I can't handle things and will want pain medication--I just want to make sure that making an under-pressure or unexpected decision like not will not affect breastfeeding.

beth · #5 10-06-2004, 03:55 PM

I had an epidural with my daughter and I had trouble breastfeeding in the hospital. I really don't know that they're related, though. The nurses gave her formula when I told them not to and that may have had something to do with it.

mum2sarah · #6 10-07-2004, 08:35 AM

It's so wonderful that you're doing your research prior to conceiving! I was clueless about anything until I finally did some reading halfway into my pregnancy with Sarah. I thought the same as you, I was a wimp and would most likely end up with an epidural. After lots of reading I decided that aside from the effect of the drugs, I didn't want to have an epidural lead to other interventions (ie. failure to progress leading to a c-section, or not being able to feel to push leading to vacuum extraction, etc.). I decided to really committ to a natural childbirth. With very slow labor, though, I ended up with pitocin augmentation and a shot of nubain to "take the edge off." (You can read about Sarahs birth story here: http://www.jalexlang.com/sarah/birthstory.htm). Didn't seem to affect our breastfeeding at all. The first time she nursed she did so like a pro.

There were things I didn't like about Sarah's birth and so with Ashley we had a totally natural homebirth, and again no breastfeeding problems. (You can read her birthstory here: http://www.jalexlang.com/baby/birthstory.html)

Now, I remember reading somewhere that epidurals can lead to a weak suck, and that traces of the drugs can be detected in the baby for as long as a month after birth, so if you had any other nursing problems, the drug effect could serve to compound them. However, no one I know who had an epidural seemed to have any difficulty with breastfeeding. Likewise, nursing immediately after birth has been touted as the best way to avoid difficulties, but in my case, neither of my girls were interested in latching on right away. They just licked at my nipple. In both cases it was another 5 hours before they actually latched on and nursed, and I know, at least with Ashley, that it wasn't due to any drug effects. Whatever the reason, the all-important "in the first hour after birth" nursing that they opted out of, didn't seem to lead to any problems.

I would suggest doing lots of reading prior to childbirth. Some books I suggest to start are:
"The Birth Book" by William & Martha Sears
"Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin
"Birth Your Way" by Sheila Kitzinger

Then when the time comes, be choosey about your OB or midwife and write a birth plan if you plan a hospital birth to help ensure your wishes are respected (such as being able to nurse immediately after birth, or room in with your baby). If you're worried about getting breastfeeding off to a good start, contact your local La Leche League and attend meetings during pregnancy, and perhaps even read their book "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding."

Knowledge is power, and kudos to you for seeking out knowledge well in advance! HTH...

xmysticprincessx · #7 10-08-2004, 04:33 AM

Also, definately take the birthing classes. I have not taken them yet, but I have heard good reviews about them. They will basically let you know what to expect during delivery. You'll be more prepared and may not be begging for drugs as soon.

As for looking for a midwife/doctor, ask around for recommendations. NYC is a large area, so there's lots of health food stores, vegetarian restaurants, fitness clubs, etc to ask around at. You can even ask at different hospitals (if the midwife delivers at a hospital). You wouldn't believe what the nurses say! I think that doctors and midwives who do births at a hospital are like independent contracts, so its not like the nurses feel obligated to say something positive because the person is not directly employed by the hospital. (I had been told before don't take the opion of another doctor because he will send you to a friend. Ask nurses who have worked with him/her. They know all the doctors who come into the hospital.)

NYCVeg · #8 10-08-2004, 10:33 AM

Thanks--I will definitely look into a birthing class. I actually have a wonderful, supportive doctor whom I love, but, if we get pregnant over the summer (the "plan"), we'll actually be in Washington, DC for the year of the pregnancy and birth--so I need to start from scratch!

ilovegiraffes · #9 02-26-2005, 07:32 AM

I had an epidural and had no real problems breastfeeding. My milk was a little slow coming in, but I breasfed exclusively in the hospital without any problems.

edamommy · #10 02-27-2005, 04:29 AM

I had an epidral, a spinal and general anesthesia to boot. Ending in an emergency csection (obviously!). I then didn't see my son for 3 days. He was provided donor milk on day 2 (a newborn doesn't NEED to nurse for upt o 48 hours!) and when we were reunited- he latched on fine (even though he weighed 4lbs and was on a respritory thing... and oxygen) and was a nursing champ.

SO- if you are unable to have nat'l childbirth and require an epidrual---- it shouldn't affect your ability to breastfeed at all! Just make sure to let the hospital staff know of your convictions so they don't plug the baby up w/ a pacifier or start formula if your milk doesn't come right in!

edamommy · #11 02-27-2005, 04:32 AM

Quote:

[i]O

I was able to bf both girls immediately & had no major problems with bf related to the epidural w/ dd#1 (as far as I could tell!). However, I did hemorrhage after dd#1 was delivered due to an overdose of pitocin (they gave me the max dosage for 3 days straight).l. [/b]

I was given the max dose of pitocin for 3 days too! Plus cervedel directly on my cervix throughout each evening for 2 days. MMMM can you spell PAIN?? If I knew now (or had less fear about the whole deal) what I didn't then I'd not have had one bit of pitocin. They give that crap out like candy these days!!!