Relationship Of Epidural Anesthesia And Onset Of Lactation

ObjectiveDiscuss the impact of Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia has on Lactation Initiation. Observe how Epidural Anesthesia influences Lactation Initiation, breastfeeding, PRL, oxytocin and breastfeeding rate.Methods:Select 155 cases featuring women who have given birth at Huzhou Maternity and Child Care Hospital during August-December,2015, per the inclusion and exclusion standards, and put them into an Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia group and an Intervention-free group respectively according to whether Epidural Anesthesia is used. Both groups receive the same resources of care, the newborn takes his/her first suckling and has skin to skin contact with the mother within the first hour after birth, rooming-in care is in place, and thelasis takes place more than 10 times/day. General materials of the mothers and newborns and breastfeeding information are collected using self-made scales. Blood is collected from peripheral veins at three separate time points (1. Opening of the uterus is at 3-4 cm; 2. 1h after labor; and 3.12h after labor) to test both group’s PRL and serum oxytocin levels.Results:1. The serum oxytocin level of the Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia group at lh after labor declines in comparison to that of the Intervention-free group. The difference is statistically significant (P< 0.05).2. The Lactation Initiation of the Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia group is delayed by 5-6 hours in comparison to that of the Intervention-free group. The difference is statistically significant (P< 0.05).3. When compared to those of the Intervention-free group, the frequencies of formular feeding within 72h after birth in the Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia group are higher, and the differences are statistically significant (P< 0.05); the quantities of formular feeding in the Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia group in comparison are also larger, the differences between the two groups are statistically significant (P< 0.05).4. When the exclusive breastfeeding rates of the two groups are compared, the Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia group has a lower rate than the Intervention-free group does. The difference between the two groups is statistically significant (P< 0.05).Conclusion:Analgesia through Epidural Anesthesia leads to a delay of Lactation Initiation.