Three groups of eleven participated in an evidenced-based practice project. All participants were between the ages of eighteen and thirty-eight and had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Each patient received continuous lumbar laboring epidurals according to strict departmental protocol. Breastfeeding dyads received continuous laboring epidurals (CLE) from three anesthesia providers. LATCH scores, which are breastfeeding documentation numbers, were collected immediately after birth once again in the well-baby clinic three days after discharge from the hospital. The LATCH system has been found to have a high interrater reliability in construct validity. LATCH is a breastfeeding charting system that provides a systematic method for gathering information about individual breastfeeding sessions. The three anesthesia providers were selected based upon their current practice in relation to the amount of Hartmann’s solution infused before the CLE was placed. The first anesthetist placed laboring epidurals without a routine fluid bolus of Hartmann’s solution. The second anesthetist commonly infused 500 milliliters of Hartmann’s solution before inserting a laboring epidural. The third anesthetist infused 1000 milliliters of Hartmann’s solution before inserting a laboring epidural as a part of their routine practice. There were no changes in current practice for the purpose of this evidence-based practice project. The amount of total intravenous fluid infused was measured and recorded. If intravenous overhydration affects breastfeeding behaviors, neonates whose mother’s received larger amounts of Hartmann’s solution will demonstrate lower LATCH scores.
