The Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology was founded in 1968 to provide a forum for the discussion of problems unique to the peripartum period. The “What’s New in Obstetric Anesthesia” Lecture was established in 1975 at the annual meeting of the society. In 1995 this lecture was renamed the “Gerard Osthiemer What’s New in Obstetric Anesthesia Lecture”. My topic “What is new in regional anaesthesia for obstetrics” will cover advances made in the regional anaesthesia techniques for both labor analgesia and cesarean section and the various types of drugs used.