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; Neuman, Mark D. M.D., M.Sc.5. Neonatal Outcomes with Regional versus General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Anesthesiology ():10.1097/ALN.0000000000005785, November 12, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000005785

2. Guglielminotti J, Monk C, Russell MT, Li G. Association of General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery with Postpartum Depression and Suicidality. Anesth Analg. 2025 Sep 1;141(3):618-628. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000007314. Epub 2024 Dec 4. PMID: 39630595; PMCID: PMC12134152.

3. Chen, YC., Liang, FW., Tan, PH. et al. Association between general anesthesia for cesarean delivery and subsequent developmental disorders in children: a nationwide retrospective cohort study. BMC Med 23, 119 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-03886-6

4. https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/new-study-challenges-fears-about-general-anesthesia-during-c-section