It is well known that there are many risks associated with epis, however you are only partially right about the first 48. The first 24hrs after birth is often characterized by the mother being most concerned about her own well being and the birth experience its self, rather than with bonding.
Wow.. really? Now, with the first boy, he was a planned C-section, and then I rode a horse and went into labor (I thought it was a really bad upset stomach). By the time I got to the hospital I was one seriously scared, puking little puppy. Don't fuck around with an epidural, put me OUT. I didn't meet him until he was several hours old, but the rest of the family did. I knew the moment we met that something was wrong with him, but he was 12 when he was finally diagnosed with autism. Remember, this is the kid with whom I did NOTHING--no aspirin, certainly no ciggies, no pot, I don't drink so no booze, nothing.
The second boy was a full 3 days labor. I finally got my epi after begging, then becoming exceedingly irate (between pukes), and JUST as I was dilating enough for birth, the epi wore off. He took 29 minutes to come into the world from that point, and nurse with the umbilicus still attached. I would say that we are very, very closely bonded. I smoked when I was pregnant with him. Nothing resembling a regular basis, but I did.
Either way, with both of my boys, I was pretty focused on them. The oldest one required a pretty strong dedication because he was admitted to NICU for ten days due to a very poorly administered vitamin K shot that made his little leg swell up hard and red. When I found that out, they'd already started the antibiotics and his tube feeds, too late, or I would have told them that his reaction is exactly as mine is when I'm given a shot badly. After I was released (5day stay) I went to the hospital several times a day with my breast milk that I had hand-fucking pumped so he could have the best I had to offer.
Hehheh.. I gave milk like a cow, now that I think about it. I ended up giving a lot more milk than he took, so a lot of it, including some of my colostrum, went to the other babies in NICU. I was really happy I could do that for them, especially the day I took my son home.