Two identical groups of females underwent caesarean operations. One group was induced with propofol 2.04 (SD 0.023) mg per kilogram and the other group induced with methohexitone 1.05 (SD 0.15) mg per kilogram body weight. Maintenance of anaesthesia was identical in both groups. Post-intubation blood pressure in the methohexitone group was significantly raised whereas with propofol the changes were not significant. There were no significant differences in the Apgar scores, uterine contractility and umbilical venous or arterial blood gases. There was a significant difference in the analgesic requirement in the first hour of the post-operative period; in the propofol group, patients needed less analgesia compared to the methohexitone group. There was no maternal awareness in both groups.