Regional anesthesia, typically with a spinal or epidural, has long been favored for cesarean births due in part to concerns about the effects that general anesthesia (GA) may have on newborns at delivery. However, data has shown that up to 1 in 6 women may experience pain with a “topped-off” labor epidural, during the cesarean. A new publication in the journal Anesthesia is now being interpreted as implying that general anesthesia may be a valid alternative electively. Is that what this new study found? Has GA been linked to postpartum depression? What about later child neurodevelopmental delays? This is a fascinating topic…Listen in for details.

1. Langer, Sarah M.D.1; Lim, Grace M.D., M.Sc.2; Qiu, Yue M.D.3; Biaesch, Jingyuan D.O.4; Neuma ...