In 119 patients who had undergone previous Caesarean section lumbar extradural block was administered to 77 (65%); the other 42 (35%) received analgesia with ketobemidone 0.8–1.0 ml i.m. or nitrous oxide in oxygen intermittently, or both. Controlled i.v. infusion of oxytocin for induction or acceleration of labour was given to 77% in the extradural group and to 40% in the other group. In both groups 88% were delivered per vaginam. In two patients the uterine scar ruptured; both had received oxytocin during extradural block.