Are newborn infants affected by medication given to the mother during childbirth?

Answer:

Yes.

You will often be told in childbirth classes and by doctors that medications do not transfer to the baby. However, this is not true. Medications can get to the baby. Medications also change the way a mother's body functions during labor, which alters her own hormonal balance and effects that of a newborn.

You can read more about labor medications and how they effect mom and baby in this article: The Epidural and Other Medications.

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