Breastfeeding, Caesarean Section, Epidurals as Pain Relief

By Ina Woolcott

Women who are given epidurals to relieve the pain during birth may have difficulty breastfeeding, according to a new Australian study.

Researchers from the University of Sydney examined 1,300 women who gave birth in 1997, found out the following, of the 93% who breastfed their babies in the first week, those who had opted for epidurals were far more likely to have breastfeeding difficulties. While 3/4 of the women who had no analgesia (painkillers) were breastfeeding their children at 24 weeks, only 53% of women who had received epidurals were breastfeeding at that same time.

Women who had chosen epidurals during labour were also more likely to entirely stop breastfeeding prior to six months than women who opted out of pain relief.

"There is a growing body of evidence that the Fentanyl (painkiller) component of epidurals may be associated with sleepy infants and difficulty establishing breastfeeding," the researchers wrote, led by Dr. Siranda Torvaldsen.

"Whatever the underlying mechanism, it is important that women who are at higher risk of breastfeeding cessation are provided with adequate breastfeeding assistance and support, both in the initial postpartum period and the following few months," they further wrote.

Pat O'Brien, who is the spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said whilst the study is "interesting" and needs further investigation, other factors could have influenced Torvaldsen's findings.

O'Brien said women that choose against having an epidural may naturally be more motivated to persist in breastfeeding their babies. "Also, a lot of those women who had epidurals went on to have Caesarean sections which -- unless you have a lot of support -- make it difficult to breastfeed because it's harder for women to pick their babies up."

Torvaldsen's study found that of the 416 women who decided for an epidural during childbirth, 172 also decided to give birth by Caesarean section.

EDITORS COMMENT:

I had a Caesarean with my daughter. But I had NO TROUBLE breastfeeding at all. I know everyone is different, but the euphoria and sheer happiness I had over delivering a healthy little, gorgeous girl, made me feel NO PAIN whatsoever. I still managed to breastfeed, lift my baby, change her nappy and all. NOTHING would have stopped me. I was so happy, and was out of the hospital 2 days later. I personally believe, if you WANT to breastfeed, you can. I have heard of women saying they have had 'major abdominal surgery' (a c-section) and not wanting to do anything involving lifting, breastfeeding etc. personally, I feel that perhaps some use this as an excuse not to breastfeed. My daughter is now 20 months and I still breastfeed her.