Its more the norm to have the Teletubby bag...I mean cath put in BEFORE going into theatre for an elective c/s as it cuts down on the waiting time for others who are having c/s that day. They want to get into gettign the baby out and moving the next person in so to speak rather then take 5 mins after your numb or knocked out to put the cath in.

with an emergency they tend to want to get the eppi into you as quick as they can and normally try to do the cath straight after it as they dont want you to be contracting badly (so I was told) when they do it

i would tell the anethatist (sp?) when you see them - usually 2 days before your c/s, that you qould prefer this method and use your voice...tell who ever you come into contact to...they'll soon get the hint.

i had one put in while I was labouring with VY and the stupid woman put 2 yes 2 up there because the first one was to big so she slid the second one up there...that friggen KILLED!!! (sorry not what you want to hear)

ETA Im crossing my legs and gritting my teeth over the thought of the thing for you