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The IV is of course uncomfortable, but not bad. It's just a pinch. As far as the epidural, you won't feel a thing. Once you get to a point you need one you won't even know your own name lol Birth is 10000 times more painful than any little IV or epidural. The IV hurts more than the epidural, I felt nothing with mine. Don't be worried about the needles, they won't cross your mind when you are trying to fit an entire baby out your vag. lol Don't worry about that, it'll be the least painful part of the entire thing.

I just had my little one 2 months ago so I can give you a recent (possibly scary) story. 1) My IV did hurt and I'm terrified of needles as well. HOWEVER; mine only hurt because they couldn't get it in. They had to try 5 times (3 different people) before they finally got it in (they had to call the anesthesiologist). If they offer to freeze your hand before putting it in, I would say don't, they finally did with mine on the 5th try and it did nothing, it was just an extra needle. Not to scare you but if you see your hand swelling after they put it in, tell them right away. It means it's not in a vein. This happened to me and they wouldn't believe me until my hand was twice the size as normal. Now for the epidural, the whole process is supposed to take around 20 minutes they told me (Mine took 1 1/2 hours :-S). I'm not sure how many times they poked me (she didn't want to say because she knew I hated needles) but I do remember asking her if it was more than 7 (that was my cousins record) and she laughed and said we're way past that. They will freeze the area first and the needle to freeze it actually hurts less than the IV. Once it's frozen, you feel a little pressure from the epidural but nothing like the contractions you'll be having. I didn't have a choice really when it came to my epidural, I wasn't progressing and the doctor told me if I didn't start soon than a c-section would be necessary (this was about 20 hours into labour) so I took the epidural and it feels soooooo good once it's in (even though mine only took 50%). Even though it may hurt for a minute, it will feel so much better once it's in and it will allow you to rest. To be honest the labour was not as bad as I had it hyped up in my head to be (not that it isn't painful) but it went by quickly for me knowing that I would meet my little guy real soon (from start to finish I was in the labour for 2 days). For me the fetynol would have been enough for the pain (it would knock me out everytime they gave me a dose and it goes through your IV so no extra needles) but everyone is different. Trust me when I say you'll be soooo happy to get to the pushing part. When I started to push, all my pain went away because I was so busy concentrating on pushing. It's also true that as soon as they put the baby on your chest, you'll forget everything :-). Congratulations on the baby!

The iv doesn't really hurt. Maybe a little pinch but nothing bad. The epidural that I had did a little pinch but tickled more than anything. They put it in your lower back. I'm very ticklish so it was harder to sit still. You will want to sit as perfectly still as you can. Any movement could cause spinal problems. If done right it is the best thing ever. If you end up being induced the contractions do hurt a little more than normal ones so as soon as you can't take the pain get the epidural asap. Good luck and congrats.

Honestly, for me the IV was HORRIBLE because the woman who was putting it in could NOT find a vein because I was so swollen from pre eclampsia so she ended up having to put it in my hand. That didn't hurt when she actually found a vein. The epidural didn't hurt either...but by the time I got that my contractions were intense so at that point I just wanted a break lol so my experience (apart from my nurse screwing up the IV TWICE!) it wasn't bad at all. It feels like a small pinch and then you can actually try and enjoy your labor (as much as you can anyways) once you get the epidural. Hope this helps and congrats!

This is actually a big fear of mine as well. I have never been pregnant, but have heard from friends and family that the contractions you experience in labor are sometimes so severe that you don't even feel the epidural or IV needle. You're simply distracted and focused on the other pain you're feeling.

I know it will be scary. I understand (I hate needles too) but the needle insertion lasts, literally, 5 seconds. The day you are in labor you will find the strength within yourself to get past your fear and get through that 5 seconds of pain to avoid hours of labor pains. :)

Congratulations on your baby girl!

I had both and it is uncomfortable at first but that was due to the contractions. My doctors made me sit while they inserted the epidural needle. the needles did not hurt but i was having contractions while sitting and i will not lie i peed myself because i could not hold my bladder, have contracts and sit all at the same time.

I was told i had to sit still and not move because i would have risked causing injury to my spine.

It was worth it in my opinion because contractions really hurt me and labor went so much easier when i got the epidural.

good luck

Well hopefully you get good nurses that will distract you while they do all of that. The epidural just feels like a lot of pressure like someone is pushing on a certain spot on your back. Not too bad. The iv kinda hurts. But like I said have someone distract you and defiantly don't look when they put the iv ! Good luck :)

Well first let me tell u that ur going to have to be still maybe hold someone hand. It doesnt hurt it feels like a pinch its not alot of pain u will do ok its not as bad as it seems congrats