What is it like to have a spinal or epidural? Is it painful?
In order to place the spinal or epidural the patient must have a n IV placed. The patient is placed on various monitors (pulse oximeter, BP, EKG). The patients are then positioned in either the sitting or lateral position. Once the local anesthetic is placed in the skin there should be a pressure sensation when the spinal or epidural needles are placed. As these needles are being placed sometimes a patient may feel a strong tingling in the area of the hip or shooting down the leg. This is usually only a transient sensation of the involved area. This is followed by a loss of strength. The time period is anywhere from 5-25 minutes.
