Most preferred technique for painless labour

the lumbar epidural replaced caudal analgesia as the preferred technique. Compared with the caudal route, lumbar epidural analgesia is more comfoable for the patient and easier to perform. The technique required less local anesthetic.. Ideally, an epidural is staed when the woman is at least four centimetres dilated and in active labour (having strong and regular contractions) Ref Robbins 9/e pg 456