OK.. I need to chime in ONE MORE TIME
I noticed everybody is sayign just a little needle no pain
OK on the other siide of the fence I have to say that is not necessarily true. Out of the 5 times I did it with the epidiral.....2 were a living torture , two were easy and one was only SLIGHT torture. It all depends who is giving the epidural. Kinda like with regular needles...sometimes it's nothing and other times you want to smack the person. one time they had to stick that thing in me 7 times and after number 6 they told me they would stop because I was about to pass out.. but I told them NO WAY..they tortured me ruthlessly 6 times and DARN if it was goiing to be for nothing..the 7th time it did the trick. Also NEVER look at the needle. tell them BEFORE hand to warn you when they are wheeling the cart in. If you actually SAW IT.. you would be a wreck. Just close your eyes and tell them GO.
Also...I have NEVER ever had it done during a contraction or known anybody that did. They always tell you to let them know when you are BETWEEN the contractions so you won't wiggle and if one starts coming let them KNOW.
NOW THAT SAID....A couple times that needle was so expert it slide right in and was jsut like a regular little needle in the arm. By number 6 and 7 I actually arrainged to only go in the hospital when a specific anethesiologist was there because I already knew he was so good at giving the epidurals.
HAHAHA can you believe that was the ONE major concern of mine before having the baby??? That I ONLY would have a certain guy doing the procedure of giving a needle. I SWEAR I would have paid big bucks just to get him had he been off that day.
So all in all just say YES when your Dr. asks for the hospital papers and you can ALWAYS change your mind when the time comes but ALWAYS remember...It doesn't work the other way round. They will say NOPE too late!!!!!