A recent study by Australian scientists has shown that women who prefer to have an epidural anesthesia to relieve labor pains are more likely to face short- and long-term breastfeeding problems. More specifically, the researchers found that women who received an epidural with the narcotic fentanyl seemed to have more problems with breastfeeding than women who went without an epidural.

Researchers reported that out of the 1,260 women they studied, 33 percent had an epidural. All of the epidurals included fentanyl and an anesthetic called bupivacaine.

Researchers noted that women have had epidurals were more likely to have problems in breastfeeding in the first few weeks after the birth and reported to have given up breastfeeding before the baby was 6 months old.

Dr. Siranda Torvaldsen, lead author of the study, said that there is clear evidence that fentanyl can hinder infants' ability to suckle.

Moreover, there was no evidence that other drugs used in epidurals interfere with breastfeeding, she told Reuters Health.

Torvaldsen, however, stressed that women should not feel guilty about wanting an epidural.

"I think the most important message for pregnant women is to get good advice and help with breastfeeding," she told the Reuters Health.

The women who are at higher risk of having problems should be provided with breastfeeding support and assistance, researchers conclude.