I've had a labour with and a labour without. I much prefered not having the epi. But if you need or want one, the size of the needle is really no big deal. Yes it is long, but i'ts not like a massive drill or anything, it's a needle. I can't say i really even felt it go in and i wasn't in much pain or distress when i had it, so i could feel it all. I hate needles, but in reality the thought of them is always much worse than the reality.