OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical effects of different anesthesia methods in lateral episiotomy. Providing the guidance of choosing the appropriate anesthesia method in clinical operation. METHODS: A total of 300 primiparas with vaginal delivery were enrolled into this study. These primiparas were divided into three groups (n=100, each), according to the different methods of anesthesia: group A (pudendal nerve block anesthesia + stepwise dissection and incisional local anesthesia), group B (bilateral pudendal nerve block anesthesia), and group C (pudendal nerve block anesthesia + local infiltration anesthesia). The pain score of these primiparas at the time of perineal dissection and suturing, as well as suturing time and bleeding volume, were observed and compared among these three groups. RESULTS: In respect of pain scores at the time of suturing in lateral episiotomy, maternal pain score was significantly lower in group A than in groups B and C; and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In respect of the time required for suturing in lateral episiotomy, suturing time was shorter in group A than in groups B and C; and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In respect of the bleeding volume in lateral episiotomy, maternal bleeding volume was lesser in group A than in groups B and C; and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Among these three commonly used methods of anesthesia in lateral episiotomy, the pudendal nerve block anesthesia + stepwise dissection and incisional local anesthesia method used in group A had the best analgesic effect, the shortest suturing time, and the lowest wound blood loss.