Spinal block is a mode of conduction anesthesia that involves injection of local
anesthetic into the subarachnoid space to block the lumbosacral nerve roots. It is
used as a saddle block for stage 2 of labor and for cesarean delivery. Advantages
are complete predictable anesthesia. Complications include hypotension from
peripheral vascular dilation because of sympathetic blockade (common) and
spinal headache (rare), as well as CNS bleeding or infection (rare).
Figure I-15-1. Anesthetic Options During Labor