The use of epidural or spinal anesthesia during labor in 2016 ranged from 44% in Alaska to 87% in Alabama. These data were provided to our organization by CDC National Center for Health Statistics in June 2018. Learn more about OB utilization patterns, maternal morbidity and maternal health characteristics in your state in CesareanRates.org’s State Dashboards.

Note: According to CDC, the number reported is intended to be limited to those who experience labor. Total births in 2016 (3,945,875) is the denominator used to calculate this percentage as is customary. If the 939,842 planned cesarean births (cesarean with no trial of labor) were excluded from the denominator, these percentages would be much higher.