Needle size is 17 gauge. They numb the site up first with local using a smaller gauge (21-22) needle. Once numbed up you should just feel pressure of needle insertion. Depends where you go to have it done, some places give IV sedation during procedure some don't. Women in labor have this type epidural done all the time without sedation. The women of course are not getting steroids but are getting local anesthetic in the epidural space instead of steroids.
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