Ah, I understand. I am so sorry about the fear of needles.

I actually had a spinal tap when I was 19. I don't know if hearing my experience will make you feel better or worse. First, the pain was minimal. It really did not hurt much at all. However, it took a very long time for them to find the right "spot", so they had to stick me a lot of times. Still, it didn't hurt really.

I'm not so much afraid of the needles, but given this past experience, I'm afraid they won't be able to get a spinal or epidural right and I'll still be in pain. The pain of labor is what scares me, or especially the pain of a c-section if the spinal is not working.