Ultrasound has been used to aid the insertion of central neuraxial anaesthesia on three occasions. (Watson et al unpublished). The 3 cases below describe the successful ultrasound assisted insertion of three neuroaxial blocks to allow both emergency and elective caesarean section. The first two reports are based on the same woman undergoing emergency and elective section during two consecutive pregnancies complicated by obesity and pre-eclampsia. The third case report was complicated by the previous spinal fusion surgery for a lumbar disc prolapse.