Yes, we use the Emla cream. We also now have the phone number straight to a tech who will for now on make sure that this one particular woman is in when we come in. In the three years we have been going, she is just about the only one who can get it on the first try. She is the one that finally showed up for the fifth and final draw. Of course she got it on the first try. Kyle has excellent veins except they are finding it a little tough to stick them (of course his moving doesn't help).