Two cases are reported of sciatic nerve palsy after delivery by Caesar
ean section in primigravidae. One mother was slender and had an emerge
ncy Caesarean section for failure to progress with a breech presentati
on. Epidural analgesia during labour was extended for operative delive
ry. The other mother was obese, mildly hypertensive, has a large baby
with a high head and was delivered by elective Caesarean section under
epidural anaesthesia. She experienced severe intrapartum hypotension.
Both patients suffered right sided sciatic nerve palsy. The aetiologi
es of obstetric palsies and those following regional block are receive
d and the importance of careful diagnosis and of avoiding peripheral n
erve compression during regional block are emphasised.