I had an epidural in & they used the same port to put the spinal in for the c/s. Unfortunately for me it took a while to take so I felt the initial incision & the pulling away of layers.... unfortunately as it was painful and uncomfortable and if I could have I would have jumped off the table.

I think if another emergency happens this time around I would definately go the spinal tap though, even with the horrific experience I had my daughter in my arms before I was in recovery & she was breastfeeding within 15 minutes of being taken out and that is more important to me than the few minutes of extreme pain.