Zentralblatt für Gynäkologie
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Epidural analgesia for labour has been associated with an increased rate of motor blockade, and instrumental and Caesarean deliveries. In recent years, these risks were significantly reduced with modern concepts of epidural analgesia, including the use of lower doses of local anaesthetics in combination with opioids. With combinations of 0.0625-0.125 % of bupivacaine plus sufentanil or fentanyl, the incidence of maternal motor blockade approximates 10 % and most parturients are nowadays able to ambulate during labour. ⋯ The most common type of anaesthesia for Caesarean delivery is spinal anaesthesia due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness and speed of onset. It is suitable for cases of an urgent or emergent Caesarean delivery. General anaesthesia still leads to a higher maternal mortality and should be reserved for absolute emergencies and cases where neuraxial blockade is contraindicated.