Breastfeeding and epidural analgesia during labour.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of epidural analgesia on breastfeeding.


RESULTS
Alarming messages were sent out following a retrospective study indicating that epidural analgesia caused more breastfeeding failures. The limitations of this study were reviewed as well as the critical importance of good lactation support.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no good evidence that epidural analgesia causes reduced breastfeeding success. Good lactation support is critical.
Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospitals Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat, Leuven, Belgium.
Sarah
S
Devroe
Johan
J
De Coster
Marc
M
Van de Velde
D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D009407:Nerve Block; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult