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Labor Medications: Oh yes, it affects breastfeeding.

by Laurie Chamberlin CD, ICCE, CLE

‘Will the pain medication I have in labor affect my baby?” asks my client Olivia with curious eyes. I think I know the answer she is hoping for and I don’t think I can give it to her. “Yes” I reply, to which I see a momentary flutter of disappointment cross her face. “Most medication reaches the baby in ten minutes.” At a lactation conference put on by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Placer County, Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC says Fentanyl, a common pain medication used in labor, lasts about 2 hours in the mother and can last up to 13 hours in a baby. Babies should not be breastfed for 4 hours after administration. Often times mothers will receive more than one shot, that stacks up and may take a day or more for it to wear off in the baby.

Testimonial

I would highly recommend Herb Lore and www.herblore.com to anyone looking for a knowledgeable resource and supply place for herbal products.  I have very little knowledge when it comes to herbs, but as a midwife, I much prefer this natural alternative.  All of my questions and concerns were listened to - they were very patient and very helpful.  I now keep on hand their Labor Tincture, Placenta Release Tincture, and the Hem Stopper Tincture.  At the very first birth I took these to, we waited for the placenta for quite some time.  I finally gave one dose of the Placenta Tincture and not ten minutes later, the placenta came - with no problems and no extra bleeding.  I have a lot of clients who refuse any kind of allopathic treatment, and I'm thrilled to have these herbal products on hand and Herb Lore as a knowledgeable resource for those cases when I really need the extra help!    Sharon - Colorado midwife