Epidural questions?

So I'm a FTM, and my boyfriend and I were talking about when our little man decides to make his debut. Unless necessary, I had planned on a normal vaginal birth, but he's worried about me getting epidural. I know it's literally a shot in your spine to help ease the pain, but he's scared that because I hate needles and have such a low pain tolerance that I'll like, flinch when they give it to me and it could cause permanent damage.

Any more experienced mommies have any comments or suggestions?