C-Sections: will I be numbed first before I receive an epidural?

The short answer, is yes. In the UK you will definitely be numbed first via injection(s) before you receive your epidural. This wasn't an answer I could just find online and my birth plan was not being discussed until one month before I was due.

While pregnant with my first baby, I made my midwife aware I wanted a c-section as I was really scared of giving birth naturally. I don't cope well with physical pain in general and therefore my c-section was going to be a planned one.

I did become a bit paranoid at one point as I watched someone's TikTok Live about pregnancy, and giving birth where lots of women were discussing this topic in the comments. I asked 'Will you get a numbing injection first before you receive the epidural injection?' Someone answered: 'No'. I freaked out.

Note to expecting moms: do not listen to what anyone tells you, especially on the internet, and people that are not qualified to inform about medical procedures.

As I experienced, in the UK, you will be numbed first before receiving your epidural. In my case, it was a tiny bit uncomfortable at first but, that was it, and I felt nothing else after that.

After receiving the epidural, my body was numb from the top of my belly to my toes. It is a weird feeling but I didn't feel anything. During the operation, I felt as if the doctors were pulling on my belly, but I couldn't feel the pulling in terms of pain.

Overall, it was a good experience and I was really impressed with the whole medical team of around 10-14 people that were there for me helping me to deliver my first baby via a c-section.