Effects of epidural labor analgesia on early neonatal sucking and breastfeeding
10.3760/cma.j.cn113903-20230801-00072
- VernacularTitle:硬膜外分娩镇痛对新生儿早期吸吮和母乳喂养的影响
- Author:
Jie ZHANG
1
;
Zhifang CHEN
Author Information
1. 南通大学附属妇幼保健院产科，南通 226018
- Keywords:
Analgesia, epidural;
Analgesia, obstetrical;
Sucking behavior;
Self efficacy;
Breastfeeding;
Infant, newborn
- From:
Chinese Journal of Perinatal Medicine
2024;27(3):196-202
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the effects of epidural labor analgesia on neonatal sucking ability and breastfeeding.Methods:This was a prospective cohort study. Convenience sampling was used to enroll women who delivered with or without epidural analgesia (epidural analgesia and non-analgesia groups) in the Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University from January 2022 to December 2022. Intra-oral negative pressure values during breastfeeding were measured by a pressure measuring instrument within 3 d after birth (0-24 h, >24-48 h, and >48-72 h), and the mean, maximum, and minimum pressure values were recorded. The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBAT) (Chinese version) was used to evaluate sucking posture. Breastfeeding status during hospitalization and within 1, 4, and 6 months after discharge were followed up. Two independent samples t-test, Chi-square (Fisher's exact) test, and generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis. Results:A total of 156 mother-infant pairs were analyzed in this study, with 78 pairs in the epidural analgesia group and 78 pairs in the non-analgesia group. The whole, first, and second stages of labor were longer in the analgesia group than those in the non-analgesia group [ M( P25- P75), total: 430 min (353-541 min) vs. 300 min (235-422 min), Z=－5.65; first stage: 385 min (310-490 min) vs. 260 min (205-347 min), Z=－5.81; second stage: 40 min (26-67 min) vs. 33 min (18-45 min), Z=－2.33; all P<0.05], and more women in the analgesia group accepted oxytocin and doula before delivery [94.8% (74/78) vs. 43.6% (34/78), χ2=48.15; 42.3% (33/78) vs. 19.2% (15/78), χ2=9.75; both P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in scores on the Fatigue Scale-14, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Life Events Scale for Pregnant Women between the two groups. After adjusting for confounding factors by generalized estimating equations, the mean intra-oral negative pressure values in the epidural analgesia group were lower than those in the non-analgesia group at 0-24 h, >24-48 h, and >48-72 h after birth [5.14 (3.39-6.52) vs. 6.39 (4.95-9.15) kPa, 5.07 (3.94-7.38) vs. 6.20 (5.08-8.54) kPa, and 6.19 (4.64-8.36) vs. 6.81 (5.88-8.05) kPa, Wald χ2=5.59, P=0.018]; the peak value in the epidural analgesia group was also lower than that in the non-analgesia group [15.81 (9.74-21.68) vs. 16.21 (13.58- 24.88) kPa, 13.50 (9.83-16.50) vs. 17.62 (14.01-22.40) kPa, and 14.66 (10.47-18.71) vs. 18.04 (15.33- 19.85) kPa, Wald χ2=7.25, P=0.007]; there were no significant differences in the trough value between the two groups. The daily IBAT scores for the sucking position of neonates in the epidural analgesia group were all lower than those in the non-analgesia group in the first three days after delivery [10 (9-10) vs. 10 (10- 11) scores, 10 (9-11) vs. 11 (10-11) scores, and 10 (10-11) vs. 11 (11-12) scores, Wald χ2=17.05, P=0.001]. The rates of early exclusive breastfeeding within postpartum 3 d were also lower in the epidural analgesia group than those in the non-analgesia group [67.9% (53/78) vs. 75.6% (59/78), 41.0% (32/78) vs. 44.9% (35/78), and 38.5% (30/78) vs. 55.1% (43/78), Wald χ2=4.21, P=0.040]. No significant differences were found in the exclusive breastfeeding rates between the two groups at 1, 4, and 6 months after delivery. Conclusion:Epidural labor analgesia can lead to decreased early intra-oral negative pressure in neonates, affect neonatal sucking posture, and reduce the rate of exclusive breastfeeding during hospitalization, but has no significant correlation with the exclusive breastfeeding rate within six months after delivery.
