Can epidurals be painful and what are the complications that can arise?

Not usually painful: Epidural insertion doesn't usually hurt since the area is numbed with local anesthesia. Possible complications include bruising or tenderness at the insertion point, bleeding into the epidural space (hematoma), infection, headache, and nerve damage. The anesthesiologist will explain these risks in more detail. As with any procedure, only get an epidural if the benefits outweigh the risks for you.

Typically No: The worse part of an epidural injection is typically the local anesthetic administered to numb the skin. After that the needle typically feels like pressure. However as the needle enters the spinal canal or around the nerve root there can be some pain that is transient. Complications can be bleeding, infection, nerve damage and paralysis, but these are extremely rare.