Intense fear re needles - what to do?

[ChocolateBar]

I'm not pregnant (and have never had a baby, so feel a bit of a fraud being on MN) but I lurk on here quite a bit and I'm very curious about something - I have a specific fear and am interested to hear your suggestions as to how you think it could be dealt with in labour.
I'm very scared of needles (and by this I mean that I get stressed out to the extent of passing out/being physically sick/sobbing uncontrollably when going for a jab, or having bloods taken, or indeed anything that involves a needle being stuck into me) . I'm also aware that we have a 25% CS rate so there is a reasonable possibility that, were I to give birth, needles might be required...
I know that if you have a c-section, you would need to have either an epidural or a GA. First, can you elect to have the GA purely on the grounds that you are incredibly scared of having a needle stuck in your back?
Secondly, I know that you need to have a drip to give you fluids during the CS (I realise that this is medically necessary and I would just have to deal with it). However, am I correct in thinking that the only reason you need a drip after the CS is to give you morphine? If so, could you get the drip taken out immediately after they finish stitching you up (albeit this would mean you didn't get much in the way of pain relief - is it possible to deal with the post-op pain without the IV meds?).
Bit of a theoretical question at the moment, but am interested to hear what you ladies think, especially those of you who are doctors/midwives...
Choc

I had a drip because i was dehydrated, an antibiotic drip because my waters had broken some time ago, syntocinon (sp?) to expedite labour (i was stuck for 6 hours at 8cm). I had pethedine, spinal block and epidural, a cathethar AND injection for the placenta. And i can honestly say i cannot remember the needles going in. The contractions were so intense, and there is so much going on in your mind, that the prick of a needle is the last thing you worry about.

'The contractions were so intense, and there is so much going on in your mind, that the prick of a needle is the last thing you worry about'

I agree it is the very last thing you think about when you've just given birth - however it is causing major panic to her right now and is possibly putting her off having a baby so comments like that (I know from experience) really don't help.

I'd stil say try the Emla cream and the various other techniques that others on here have suggested. Good luck.

I had acupuncture and when the first needle went in my hand (really small) I went ow ha ha little did I know what was to follow.... really needles will be the furthest thing from your mind