title: Intrapartum epidural analgesia and onset of lactation: a prospective study in an Italian birth centre.
abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between epidural analgesia (EDA) in labor and the onset of lactation in healthy women after birth. In a Regional Perinatal Center in northern Italy, women who had had a vaginal delivery were recruited by convenience sampling. Analyses were carried out on the data of 366 women. 209 women received EDA and 157 women did not receive EDA or any other pharmacological analgesia. A structured follow-up was carried out interviewing women by telephone after 5 days and, a second time, 20 days after delivery. The primary outcome was the time (in hours) of the onset of lactation. Timing of the onset of lactation in the EDA and non-EDA groups did not statistically differ (p = 0.15), although the non-EDA group was more likely to initiate breastfeeding. On the basis of the results of this study, we concluded that intrapartum EDA does not have an effect on delays in the onset of lactation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Manfredo Fanti, 6, 20122, Milan, MI, Italy, paola.mauri@unimi.it.
authors.forename: Paola Agnese
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Mauri
authors.forename: Norma Nilde Guerrini
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Contini
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giliberti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barretta
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Consonni
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Negri
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015360:Analgesia, Epidural; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016550:Birthing Centers; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008423:Maternal Age; D036801:Parturition; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000779:Anesthetics, Local