119: Epidurals and the Myth of the Intervention Cascade with Professor Rachel Kearns episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 3, 2026 · 43 MIN

119: Epidurals and the Myth of the Intervention Cascade with Professor Rachel Kearns

from The Baby Tribe · host Afif EL-Khuffash & Anne Doherty

Epidurals are often blamed for triggering a cascade of interventions, harming babies, and interfering with breastfeeding. But what does the actual evidence say? This week we’re joined by Professor Rachel Kearns, consultant anaesthetist and population health researcher, to unpack the data. From maternal morbidity and fever to neonatal outcomes and long term child development, we examine what large scale studies really show and where the myths fall apart. If you’re making decisions about pain relief in labour, this is the evidence based conversation you need. Proudly sponsored by www.happytummy.ie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Epidurals are often blamed for triggering a cascade of interventions, harming babies, and interfering with breastfeeding. But what does the actual evidence say? This week we’re joined by Professor Rachel Kearns, consultant anaesthetist and population health researcher, to unpack the data. From maternal morbidity and fever to neonatal outcomes and long term child development, we examine what large scale studies really show and where the myths fall apart. If you’re making decisions about pain ...

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119: Epidurals and the Myth of the Intervention Cascade with Professor Rachel Kearns

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Epidurals are often blamed for triggering a cascade of interventions, harming babies, and interfering with breastfeeding. But what does the actual evidence say? This week we’re joined by Professor Rachel Kearns, consultant anaesthetist and...

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