The recent literature has shown a significant decrease in the incidence of obstetric anaesthesia-related maternal mortality and the short-term adverse effects of traditional anaesthetic techniques such as postdural puncture headache and spinal anaesthesia-induced hypotension. However, the increased use of spinal opioids during labour has been associated with unexpected side effects such as hypotension. Finally, potential long-term sequelae of labour epidural anaesthesia and postpartum back pain continue to be discussed.