This presentation by Dariush Abtahi, MD, discusses regional analgesia for painless childbirth, emphasizing the advantages and disadvantages of various methods. Epidural analgesia is highlighted as the gold standard due to its controllability, high-quality analgesia, and minimal fetal effects, though it has contraindications such as coagulopathy. Modern techniques have reduced risks, showing no increased cesarean delivery rates and minor impacts on labor duration. Alternatives like paracervical block, pudendal nerve block, spinal analgesia, and combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia are also covered, each with specific applications and limitations. Post-Cesarean delivery analgesia options include paravertebral block, quadratus lumborum block (QLB), erector spinae plane block (ESPB), and others. Ultrasound guidance enhances safety and accuracy in these procedures. References support the effectiveness and safety of these methods in maternal-fetal health.
