The effect of epidural on the unborn baby

winegums · Jan 19th, 2011, 10:17 AM

Sparked by one born every minute episode where the woman asked if having an epi would affect her baby in any way? The midwife answered that no, epidural doesn't go through the placenta so has no effect on the baby.

Although this may be true (though some doctors and scientists state that actually it CAN cross the placenta), i have recently found out (and feel rather stupid for not realising before) is that the effects of epidural on the mother can in turn effect the baby. Like secondary effects.

I just thought I'd point this out to people as I know some people decline other pain relief (such as pethidine) as they don't want the baby to be affected, and choose to have an epidural not realising that this too effects the baby.

http://www.suite101.com/content/do-e...-babies--a8281

Kimboowee · Jan 19th, 2011, 10:33 AM

Interesting!
Though I thought it would be known that if your bottom half is numbed your not gonna know when to push.
And my temp was very high, but we both did actually have an infection.

Can't say I noticed any of the direct links though tbh!

blessedmomma · Jan 19th, 2011, 11:06 AM

have had four by epidural so far, soon to be five. mine had no signs whatsoever of effects from it. even only took between 20 minutes and about an hour to push them out, so didnt even effect me that way. only had to have 2 episiotomy's out of the four which honestly could have happened whether i had the epi or not, it was dr's discretion as to whether they decided to cut or not. my babies were very alert and ate right away...

not to mention that i had plenty of energy left over to love up my babies after they were born, having not used it up during labor

tickledpink · Jan 19th, 2011, 11:12 AM

I've also read that epidurals can 'dull' the baby's natural instinct to nurse and that breastfeeding can take a few weeks longer than normal.

lynzlogan · Jan 19th, 2011, 11:13 AM

Leo had no side effects from the Epi at all.

Granted i couldn't "feel" when to push but was only pushing for 15 mins and he was out.
I just listened to the MW on when to and when not to push xxx

Divinebeauty · Jan 19th, 2011, 11:19 AM

I had an epi with my DS as well and he had no side effects either. In my situation I could still feel just about everything so I knew when to push.

I wouldnt think it would have hardly enough time to get to the placenta during labour though as when you have the epi baby is born short time after (usually) I am not educated on this matter though , so thats really just my own opinion!

aob1013 · Jan 19th, 2011, 11:20 AM

I had an epidural, i was also 33+6 at the time and my son and myself were perfectly healthy.

I think it's best that Mums seek actual medical advice when it comes to these things and NOT to rely on internet links

Epidurals, are not bad girls. And half the time, it could be out of your control so i suggest you keep an open mind and do your research, proper, credited, research that is.

aob1013 · Jan 19th, 2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickledpink

I've also read that epidurals can 'dull' the baby's natural instinct to nurse and that breastfeeding can take a few weeks longer than normal.

Definately not in my case, and he was premature, and i didn't see or hold him for a day. I would try not to take everything you see/hear as gospel. 99% of the time, everything is absolutely fine. It really is best to keep an open mind!

UkMum2b · Jan 19th, 2011, 11:23 AM

i think the woman on OBEM was also induced and I thought if you were induced it was pretty much taken as read you had an epidural as it's so much more painful

My bump · Jan 19th, 2011, 12:05 PM

epidural doesnt go into your blood stream it goes into spinal space and directly affects the nerves in the lower half of your body so it doesnt enter the placenta to cross it as its not in the blood.

x

Jan 19th, 2011, 10:17 AM	#1
winegums Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Surrey/London UK Posts: 4,489	The effect of epidural on the unborn baby Sparked by one born every minute episode where the woman asked if having an epi would affect her baby in any way? The midwife answered that no, epidural doesn't go through the placenta so has no effect on the baby. Although this may be true (though some doctors and scientists state that actually it CAN cross the placenta), i have recently found out (and feel rather stupid for not realising before) is that the effects of epidural on the mother can in turn effect the baby. Like secondary effects. I just thought I'd point this out to people as I know some people decline other pain relief (such as pethidine) as they don't want the baby to be affected, and choose to have an epidural not realising that this too effects the baby. http://www.suite101.com/content/do-e...-babies--a8281

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Jan 19th, 2011, 10:33 AM	#2
Kimboowee Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Derbyshire Posts: 10,462	Interesting! Though I thought it would be known that if your bottom half is numbed your not gonna know when to push. And my temp was very high, but we both did actually have an infection. Can't say I noticed any of the direct links though tbh!
	Admin Approved Weekly birth preparation and relaxation classes in Alfreton, Derbyshire. Suitable from 14+ weeks and not just for first time mums! 10% discount to BnB members
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Jan 19th, 2011, 11:06 AM	#3
blessedmomma Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: kansas Posts: 7,187	have had four by epidural so far, soon to be five. mine had no signs whatsoever of effects from it. even only took between 20 minutes and about an hour to push them out, so didnt even effect me that way. only had to have 2 episiotomy's out of the four which honestly could have happened whether i had the epi or not, it was dr's discretion as to whether they decided to cut or not. my babies were very alert and ate right away... not to mention that i had plenty of energy left over to love up my babies after they were born, having not used it up during labor

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Jan 19th, 2011, 11:12 AM	#4
tickledpink Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, UK Posts: 661	I've also read that epidurals can 'dull' the baby's natural instinct to nurse and that breastfeeding can take a few weeks longer than normal.

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Jan 19th, 2011, 11:13 AM	#5
lynzlogan Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dagenham, Essex Posts: 852	Leo had no side effects from the Epi at all. Granted i couldn't "feel" when to push but was only pushing for 15 mins and he was out. I just listened to the MW on when to and when not to push xxx

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Jan 19th, 2011, 11:19 AM	#6
Divinebeauty Pregnant (Expecting) Inactive Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 4,403	I had an epi with my DS as well and he had no side effects either. In my situation I could still feel just about everything so I knew when to push. I wouldnt think it would have hardly enough time to get to the placenta during labour though as when you have the epi baby is born short time after (usually) I am not educated on this matter though , so thats really just my own opinion!

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Jan 19th, 2011, 11:20 AM	#7
aob1013 Mum (Mom) Inactive Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: UK Posts: 10,675	I had an epidural, i was also 33+6 at the time and my son and myself were perfectly healthy. I think it's best that Mums seek actual medical advice when it comes to these things and NOT to rely on internet links Epidurals, are not bad girls. And half the time, it could be out of your control so i suggest you keep an open mind and do your research, proper, credited, research that is.

Status: Offline

Jan 19th, 2011, 11:23 AM	#9
UkMum2b Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 114	i think the woman on OBEM was also induced and I thought if you were induced it was pretty much taken as read you had an epidural as it's so much more painful

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Jan 19th, 2011, 12:05 PM	#10
My bump Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,297	epidural doesnt go into your blood stream it goes into spinal space and directly affects the nerves in the lower half of your body so it doesnt enter the placenta to cross it as its not in the blood. x

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