TENS/ pain relief

[Oliver's mummy]

Hi every one

I hope you don't mind me asking or think i'm being nosey but
is any one planning on having a natural birth/ using a TENS.

I personally don't fancy the prospect of an epidural becasue of the extreme side effects that CAN occur!!!

What does every one else think?

 

[Lyndsey]

I am planning on using TENS at the begining of labour when I am at home... however, I don't know if it will be good enough to last all the way through! I am also planning on a water birth when I get to the hospital so will have to take the TENS off at some point.. that is unless it is absolutley fantastic then I will keep it on and stay out of the pool!!

I have heard women who have said it is amazing and they didn't need anything else but it has to be put on straight away.... I am in two minds about it and can't be sure until I try it for myself..

As for an epidural - I personally would prefer not to have one as you have to be immobile once having it, but again things may be different when I am in pain and I won't rule it out completley.

There are always side effects with everything in medicine.... for example if you read the side effects that are possible from taking a paracetomol then you probably would never touch one again.... So its good that you are thinking about forms of pain releif but I wouldn't rule any of them out definatley....

Sorry that doesn't answer your question

 

[Oliver's mummy]

Thanks for replying Lynsey

I definitly don't want an epidural, i'm just going to buy a really good TENS machine

i'll wantit as natural as poss so i can enjoy my babes after the birth and see what i'm doing and remember!!!!

Can't wait to meet our baby though so exciting

 

[gingerpig]

We've bought a tens machine, plus my husband is a qualified massage therapist, which does have it's uses I'm also planning to have as active a birth as possible, as I've heard that if you walk around, use one of those balls and generally go with the flow of what your body wants it's helpful. I guess anything we can do to have confidence in the process, and our bodys' ability plus our own's to cope with it will help.

 

[Lyndsey]

I am hiring mine - you get it 3 weeks before the birth and keep it for as long as you need... I paid £25 for this and got a "free" birth ball... don't know how that compares to the price of buying one.......

Good luck in your pursuit for a natural birth you have more courage than me!

For me I am going to go with the flow and hopefully avoid too much intervention. I think being active and walking about as gingerpig has said will help and hopefully the TENS will be a big help!

 

[Oliver's mummy]

Yeah Gingerpig that sounds like a fab idea, active birth and birthing ball etc. i just want to be 'in control' as much as i can really!!!

Buying a good TENS i've seen one in mothercare for £70, where did you hire yours from please Lynsey wouldn't mind having a look. 8)

Thanks all

 

[Jaidy]

I think the idea of an active birth is really appealing. I hate being restricted so I want to be as mobile as poss, unless like Lyndsey says the pain gets totally unbearable and an epidoodle is the only way forward

I have hired a tens machine, my view is anything like that is worth a bash!!

 

[Lyndsey]

I hired mine from a company called Birth Tens www.birthtens.co.uk telephone 01455233808

There are other companies available and some are reccomended by the NCT.... maybe a visit to their website would give you some more details.........

Lyndsey