I used a TENS machine for my first labour with DS and I wish I hadn't. I got so attached to it that I wouldn't take it off because I couldn't use it in the shower. The midwives were encouraging me to try the shower but I was too scared to take off the TENS machine.

In the end I wound up having the full intervention, gas, pethidine, epidural and then forceps with second degree tearing and heaven knows how many stitches. I swore I would never do that again, the recovery from the forceps delivery was horrendous.

So with DD I had decided that no matter how bad it got it would be worth not having that recovery to go through again and I birthed her with no pain relief other than the shower. The shower was absolutely fabulous, so soothing, and when it was time to push I hadn't reached my pain threshold - and she was a whole pound heavier than DS (9lb 6.5oz) and I felt amazing afterwards, only 3 tiny little stitches.

This time I'm planning a full on proper waterbirth, can't wait, I loved the shower so much I think this will be right up my alley.

I often wonder if DS' birth would have been different if I'd taken off the TENS machine and gotten into the shower.