Numbing before injection?

They numb the area before they inject you! You won’t feel it! I also was able to use gas and air as I started to have a panic attack as I was so scared! But I had an epidural first x

It’s definitely not as horrible as it sounds. I wish I asked for one sooner. They numb it and I didn’t feel a thing. I also had gas & air when they did it x

Yes they numb the area before putting the epidural needle in

They do and it’s over before you know it! I requested gas & air as I hate things in my back after a traumatic bone marrow biopsy and they were fine with that, but honestly I didn’t even need it. They do numb it and it takes like 2 seconds

Amazing, thank you so much! I didn’t think about gas and air so good to know that option is there too! How do they numb it? Is that with a needle too or is it like numbing gel (?) xx

@Sammy lots of places use a numbing spray, sometimes numbing injection that's done with a teeny tiny needle just in the skin.

@Charley thank you! I think I’d be fine with a small needle if that was the case. But I’d prefer a spray :p. I’m seeing consultant tomorrow so I’ll ask what they use. Thank you xx

I think it depends where you go so definitely ask. When I got an epidural they didn’t numb me and then we went into a c section later so they upped the epidural so I think it just depends on but it’s not bad. Just ask and hopefully they can do something

i’m 99% sure they sprayed my back first to numb it, then did a numbing injection and then the spinal! apart from a teeny sting i felt nothing!

I had a numbing spray for my epidural (similar to spinal) - absolute needle phobe here so I was terrified and had therapy leading up to it! My biggest advice would be to prepare yourself for a little bee sting type of sensation. I didn’t feel it but I think being mentally prepared for it really helped me, and it was a nice surprise when I realised it was all over with no pain. Also, if you’re anxious and have any sort of needle phobia, look up CBT techniques like applied muscle tension, that really helped me. I’m not sure if you’ll need this with c-section but I had to have a cannula in my hand for the epidural - I don’t want to make you more anxious but it’s another thing to ask about and mentally prepare for. They used the numbing spray and I think a numbing injection for that with me as well.

Ooo now that you guys say it, it was a numbing spray rather than an injection! Also yes the cannula was the bit that hurt like hell for me 🙈 But also over very quickly

No wasn’t numbed but maybe as I was an emergency they were doing things quicker. Didn’t feel anything though.

I had a numbing injection before my spinal

Mine was an emergency so no. I do t do needles and I didn't find it too bad s bee sting

Yes, they numb you 😊 it’s honestly barely a scratch (my cannula in my hand hurt more) and it starts working instantly. In fact it happened so fast and I was distracted chatting about things that I didn’t even know they’d started the surgery. I’m a huge chicken and I didn’t really notice anything about it, I just found it uncomfortable to have to arch my back for a few seconds with a massive baby belly in the way xx

Thank you all so much, this is all very reassuring 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

Oh yeah! A small numbing shot before the actual spinal. I honestly only ever felt his hands touching my back for either!

I was on the gas and air for my spinal to be done

Look up Olivia reeves on fb or TikTok! She’s a nurse anesthetist and does a whole video that walks you through the process. I wish I would have seen her before I had my kids

I didn’t have an epidural I had spinal aesthetic before my c section and they didn’t numb it

When I had mine they numbed it. I was so scared especially since I have scoliosis but it doesn’t hurt at all I promise, even the injection to numb doesn’t hurt

Thank you all for replying and being so reassuring 🫶🏼