The Fetal and Neonatal Effects of Regional Anesthesia in Obstetrics

Abstract

Different types of local anesthetics are reviewed on the basis of administrative routes, detrimental consequences and beneficial effects for use in human childbirth delivery. Maternal hemodynamics and transfer of substances across the placental barrier are discussed. Serious side effects, including maternal hypotension and fetal cardiovascular toxicity, are presented. The safest anesthetics are considered to be substances that are highly protein bound, i.e., bupivacaine and etidocaine.