I was induced.

I had pethidine. But if I had my time again I wouldn't have bothered. It didn't seem to do anything to alleviate the pain. I requested pain relief when I *thought* I was probably about 3-4cm, but actually I was just hitting transition. Not long after I got the shot I started to feel the urge to push. When I asked for it I had become disheartened and lost confidence in myself (actually I told DH I wanted an epi and he said 'why don't you see how you feel in an hour?' - good man!), which is a common sign of transition, I wish it had occurred to me at the time! But of course I was too busy thinking I was about 3 cm and that I was never going to make it lol. Thank God it had occurred to DH that I was in transition!

I tried the shower - that just meant I was not only in pain but also wet! I don't think it was enough to take the edge off those hard and fast contractions that come with an induction, especially with my waters broken.

I also used a tens machine. Hard to know whether this was effective because I have nothing to compare it to.