Nurses caring for women undergoing obstetric regional analgesia are challenged to support the uniqueness of each labor and birth experience while maintaining a safe environment for the woman and her fetus. This updated guideline provides evidence-based clinical practice recommendations for nursing assessment and monitoring of women undergoing neuraxial, or regional, analgesia and anesthesia during labor that will help nurses provide the best possible patient care. Guidelines for assessment of the woman's readiness for labor analgesia are presented with referenced rationales. This edition features comprehensive evidence-based nursing assessments and interventions necessary to help the perinatal nurse: * Ensure necessary preparation for anesthesia and supportive nursing care * Implement appropriate immediate post-procedure and ongoing nursing assessments and interventions * Evaluate the maternal and fetal response to regional analgesia/anesthesia and * Minimize the risk of untoward effects. Emerging research about trends and issues in obstetric anesthesia and information about new therapies for the management of anesthesia-related emergencies is also included, as is rationale for AWHONN's position on the role of the registered nurse in caring for pregnant women receiving regional analgesia and anesthesia. Included CNE activity and posttest help validate knowledge and competence regarding regional analgesia during labor. The information presented in this guideline can be used by childbirth educators to help guide childbirth preparation about labor analgesia and anesthesia and is an essential resource for all nurses who care for women during labor. Each copy of the guideline includes a Quick Care Guide that summarizes key assessments and interventions, providing a convenient bedside reference.