[A&A]

This could go in a lot of places, but since I want to be "active" about it (write a letter), I thought I would put it here.

There's this "Women's Center" nearby with three certified nurse midwives (and some MDs, as well.) I noticed today a sign at their entrance which read, "Smoking mothers will not receive an epidural."

:

I know this is supposed to be a lighthearted way to discourage moms from smoking, but wow, the message that an epidural is a reward for good behavior! And, by contrast, a natural birth must be "punishment" !

I don't even know how to articulate how wrong this is. Could anyone help me formulate some sentences/paragraphs for a letter to them?

Thanks.

 

[moonfirefaery]

Maybe there are risks associated with having an epidural and being a smoker?

 

[mfp02]

This is all I could find on it via a quick search:

Quote:

A study comparing the effects of social support during pregnancy with the use of epidural anesthesia revealed that epidural anesthesia administered during the first stage of labor was associated with later labor complications and interventions. Other studies have shown an association between the use of epidural anesthesia and back pain, fever in the mother, depression of the newborn infant and increased cesarean section rates....

Source

 

[Susuhound]

Smokers often have faulty placentas which is why the babies are often smaller and sicker, giving them an epidural is much riskier than giving a healthy woman an epidural. Some places use smoking as a risk factor for needing continuous fetal monitoring, thereby risking those mothers out of birth centres. personally I think there is a good reason for it. People need to know that both epidural and smoking are risky, combined they are extremely risky.
Don't know if that sign is a good health promotion tool though.