The choice of analgesia used in caesarean birth can have a major effect on the neuro-behaviour of the newborn, with babies born after  an epidural having lower neurological and adaptive capacity scores than those born to mothers having spinal anaesthesia. (Mahajan J et al. Anaesthetic technique for elective caesarean section and neurobehavioural status of newborns.  International Journal of Obstetric Analgesia, Vol 2 No 2, April 1993: 89-93.  Abstract in MIDIRS Midwivery Digest vol 3, no 3 1993.)
Epidural anaesthesia for the labouring woman immobilises her and increases her likelihood of needing operative delivery (Thorp JA et al. The effect of intrapartum epidural analgesia on nulliparous labour: a randomised, controlled prospective trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, vol 169, no 4 )ct 1993: 851-858.

Joy Johnston Midwife IBCLC
Melbourne Australia