https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6fLD3Bp7mG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

This is a instagram reel of a preview of a podcast and what is discussed in the podcast. The women talking in the reel/podcast mention fentanyl in epidurals being the cause of breastfeeding issues mother and baby run into, as well as the fentanyl causing withdrawal symptoms in babies. These symptoms they claim are babies being “fussy and arching their backs.” Luckily my dad is a doctor and sent me a TON of information on said topic. From my findings I would determine this as disinformation. Yes, there can be fentanyl or morphine in epidurals with a local anesthetic but it is a very small amount. Medical professionals claim epidurals used in labor are safe for newborns to 24 hours after delivery. It could possibly enter the mothers blood stream but mainly stays within the spinal cord where its supposed to be. There are risks to everything. Studies were done on if fentanyl causes issues with breastfeeding. Studies show that women that take an epidural with stronger fentanyl did struggle with breastfeeding compared to women took less strong dose of fentanyl or general anesthetic epidural, but this doesn’t put into factor others reason the baby maybe struggling to breastfeed. Mothers are also given the choice as to if they want just a general anesthetic or other type of epidural. This reel makes it sound like there isn’t a choice or all epidurals with fentanyl cause issues with breastfeeding. I also could not find any information on babies being fussy or arching their backs as signs of withdrawal from fentanyl. Epidural opioids decrease the frequency and severity of hypotension and motor blockade due to higher rates of local anesthetics. As I said before this is a case of disinformation rather than a conspiracy theory but I do believe it follows under “something must be wrong” due to the fentanyl in epidurals and “emotion” is targeted as it brings out feelings of protectiveness within mothers to protect their babies. This is not an article but I wanted to add a link to it so put it down as an “article”.