How is spinal or epidural performed ?

These anaesthetics are usually given to you while you are conscious, either in the anaesthetic room or in theatre.
The type and place of a local or regional anaesthetic injection will depend on the operation you are having and the pain relief you will need afterwards.

You can then:
help your anaesthetist get you into the correct position
tell your anaesthetist if the needle causes pain
tell your anaesthetist when the anaesthetic is taking effect.
Some local anaesthetic can be given to help the discomfort of the injection for the block.

It can take more than one attempt to get the needle in the right place so that the area is properly numbed. If you find this too painful, you can always ask your anaesthetist to stop, and use other types of anaesthesia.

Your anaesthetist will ask you to keep quite still so he or shecan give you your local or regional anaesthetic block.

When the needle is inserted, your anaesthetist will ask you if you feel any tingling or shocks.

You may notice a warm tingling feeling as the anaestheticbegins to take effect. It is common to feel as though the part of your body which is anaesthetised does not belong to you.

Your operation will only go ahead when you and your anaesthetist are sure that the area is numb.
Once the local or regional block is working, your anaesthetist will continue with the plan you have agreed.

Your monitoring equipment will be temporarily disconnected and you will be wheeled on your trolley into the operating theatre.