A prospective, open clinical study was designed to compare the epidural anesthetic efficacy of ropivacaine with bupivacaine in parturients undergoing caesarean section at Rajavithi Hospital. Sixty ASA physical statue I-II parturients were randomly allocated into two groups and received extradural block at the L2-3 interspace with 20 ml of either 0.75% ropivacaine or 0.5% bupivacaine. Onset and duration of sensory block (pin prick test), motor block (modified Bromage scale), hemodynamic variables and neonatal outcome by Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minute after birth were recorded. The onset time of sensory block was significantly shorter and the duration of analgesia was significantly longer in ropivacaine group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the onset time of intensity of motor blockade, maternal systolic blood pressure and neonatal outcome between the two groups (P > 0.05)These findings suggested that 0.75% ropivacaine provided more effective sensory block than that of 0.5% bupivacaine for caesarean section. No other significant differences emerged between the two groups.