Neonatal effects of regional analgesia

Though the superiority of regional analgesia for labour is seldom disputed even among the most sceptical, its relative safety for the baby is rarely appreciated. It is assumed that the most effective and invasive form of pain relief must also be the most detrimental to the newborn. Yet research dating back to the 1970s showed that properly conducted epidural analgesia was not only safe for the baby, it might even be beneficial.