Water birth/TENS

[Mel]

I'm considering having an 'all natural' water birth, and using a TENS machine in earlier stages of labour. My first birth was very drawn out, and I ended up having Pethidine. I'm very aprehensive about not having that option to fall back on.

I'd love to know about the pro's and cons from anyone who has had a water birth or used the TENS machine. I would like to hear about first hand experiences to help my decision.

Thankyou in advance for your time and replies.

Mel

[chepie]

Hi Mel,

Welcome to BB!! My first birth was 17 hours flat on my back hooked up to a machine, epi, mighty vac and Aiden was prosterior!!! So second time around I was more prepared as I did not want to go through that again!!! I had a beautiful midwife who I discussed all my issues with and told her that I want to labour in the bath and she was all for it!! So I read lots and lots on giving birth and highly recommend 'Birth Skills' Ju Ju Sudin.... I got myself into a wonderful headspace before the birth which really helped!! My labour was short 4hours 29 minutes and 2 of those hours were at home- but when I got to the hospital the bath wasn't ready (it needed to be cleaned) so I did labour for 1.5 standing and yes it was hard but fantastic!! As I went through transistion stage- was begining to lose it then!! the bath was ready and as soon as got into that bath it was HEAVEN......... so relaxing and calming went into a different zone - a peaceful one and I birthed my beautiful Charlotte an hour later - she was prosterior and 9lbs 1 ..... and we all went home 6 hours later!!!

So if you got through that long post .... he he honestly I found it amazing. Good luck babe xx

[Curly]

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.

[Mel]

I'm considering having an 'all natural' water birth, and using a TENS machine in earlier stages of labour. My first birth was very drawn out, and I ended up having Pethidine. I'm very aprehensive about not having that option to fall back on.

I'd love to know about the pro's and cons from anyone who has had a water birth or used the TENS machine. I would like to hear about first hand experiences to help my decision.

Thankyou in advance for your time and replies.

Mel