Maternal complications of obstetric epidural analgesia.

The maternal complications associated with 1,000 consecutive obstetric epidurals are described. Although the analgesia provided was very satisfactory, complications were common. A dural puncture rate of 1-7 per cent resulted in 13 patients suffering from "spinal headache". Blood vessel puncture occurred in 45 patients, while the presence of unblocked segments and unilateral block was troublesome. There were no serious sequelae, but it is suggested that the provision of an epidural service for women in labour requires the immediate availability of an experienced anaesthetist to attend the labour ward.