Maternal stress response associated with caesarean delivery under general and epidural anaesthesia.

The maternal stress response to caesarean delivery with either general or epidural anaesthesia was investigated. Patients given a general anaesthetic showed statistically significant increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of plasma catecholamines, cortisol and glucose. Epidural anaesthesia, to at least the T6 dermatome, obtunded these responses. The significance of these findings to the choice of method of anaesthesia is discussed.