At the turn of the century it is appropriate to take stock of this relatively young but rapidly developing subject. For the first time, this book brings together information on the status of obstetric regional analgesia in many parts of the globe, and on the intriguing variability of maternal attitudes towards it. Advances in the field over the last decade in new applications, new drugs and techniques and new research tools are also reviewed. Controversial topics such as the effects of regional analgesia on the progress of and outcome of labour, the indications, contraindications and...