Does Fentanyl Epidural Analgesia Affect Breastfeeding: A Prospective Cohort Study. Issue 4 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahomed, K.; Wild, K.; Brown, C.; Green, A.
• Is Part Of: Obstetric anesthesia digest. Volume 40:Issue 4(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Analgesia for Labor -- Pharmacology; Anesthesia in obstetrics -- Periodicals; Anesthesia in obstetrics -- Abstracts -- Periodicals; 617.968205
• DOI: 10.1097/01.aoa.0000719592.55438.20
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-665X

Abstract

Abstract : ( Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol . 2019;59:819–824) Breastfeeding has clear short-term and long-term benefits and is widely recommended. The majority of mothers in Australia (77%) request epidural analgesia for labor. As a result, concerns have been voiced about the possible effects of epidural fentanyl on success with breastfeeding. Fentanyl is often used with bupivacaine for epidural labor analgesia to decrease the dose of local anesthetic needed and minimize motor block. However, it may depress neonatal reflexes associated with swallowing or sucking and could thus negatively affect breastfeeding success. In 2016, a systematic review assessed the effects of epidural labor analgesia on breastfeeding. Mixed results were found, and the investigators had difficulty comparing studies due to varied study designs. This current study aimed to clarify the association between epidural fentanyl and breastfeeding, including any dose effects, in a well-defined population of nulliparous women who had just delivered vaginally and planned to breastfeed.