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Intrapartum Epidural Fentanyl/Bupivacaine Analgesia, Infant Feeding Behavior, & Breast-Feeding Outcomes

Completed
Conditions
Anesthesia, Epidural
Breast Feeding
Registration Number
NCT01260051
Lead Sponsor
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Brief Summary

Currently, no clear consensus exists regarding the effect of epidural anesthesia upon breast-feeding. In theory, epidurals may increase breast-feeding failure via inadequate maternal milk production, deficiencies in neonatal neurobehavior, or both, but most studies have failed to separate these potential mechanisms. The present study examines whether epidural duration correlates with 1) likelihood of breast-feeding at hospital discharge and 2) neonatal neurobehavioral deficits in feeding, as measured by the L\&A components of the standardized, validated LATCH scoring system.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
310
Inclusion Criteria
  • Vaginal delivery
  • Delivery of a single live neonate
Exclusion Criteria
  • NICU admission following delivery
  • Pitocin augmentation

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Breast-Feeding at Hospital DischargeBaseline

This outcome variable is binary. If a woman is breast-feeding with bottle supplementation at the time of hospital discharge, then she is recorded as "Yes."

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
L&A Components of LATCH ScoreBaseline

The L component of the score measures neonatal ability to latch at the breast and the A component measures the presence of audible swallows, which are variables that reflect neonatal neurobehavioral capacity with respect to feeding.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospitals Case Medical Center

🇺🇸

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

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