The effects of general and spinal anesthesia on maternal plasms levels of prolactin and Cortisol in response to the stress of cesarean section were studied. Surgery under general anesthesia resulted in significant increases in both the mean maternal plasma prolactin and cortisol levels. However, onty the cortisol level exhibited a significant increase when surgery was performed under spinal anesthesia It is concluded that prolactin and cortisol responses to the stress of labor and delivery are modified by the anesthetic method, and that the mechanism of hormonal response under general anesthesia as compared with spinal anesthesia remains to be clarified.