Tens machine is a small electrical device (runs on batteries) with small gel packs that you stick to your lower back. A bit like the Osim massage machine. It sends out small electrical pulses and when you feel a contraction, you press a button and the pulse gets stronger and it eases your labour pains. You will find info on it in various childbirth books and on the net. I read about it in a book and found out that my lactation consultant Mrs. Chee rented tens machines out. Used it for my 2nd and found it very effective, thought it better than gas which I thought was useless.
Epidural or Drug Free Delivery?
- Thread starter SophieHK
- Start date
miriam228
Registered User
This machine is available in all hospitals for our use when we have our contractions?? I don't recall my Dr telling me there was such "pain reliever"...... Do u need to pay extra for it or book in advance for this device? Sounds interesting, since it works more than the gas, like you said......
I would wait and not make any decisions yet. I had planned for a natural birth and wanted to have no pain relief other than gas and air...but....I developed pre=eclampsia and had to have an epidural (this was in the UK). You really don't know how you feel until you actually go in to labour and sometimes that choice is taken away from you.
Good Luck with it all - as a previous post said - you soon forget about it all once you have the new baby in your arms!
Good Luck with it all - as a previous post said - you soon forget about it all once you have the new baby in your arms!
Keep an open mind...
I did lots of breathing classes and practice and hoped to be fairly natural, but ended up being induced and having an epidural very early on. The epidural was great. I had a lovely 8 hours in labour and was still mobile and using a birthing ball. When they let the epi wear off at the end for the pushing it was a real shock - I found the pain almost unbearable and completely exhausting. With hindsight I would have not let it wear off quite so much and I should have asked earlier during the pushing stage (which in my case was nearly 2 hours) for a top up. My strongest advice is don't get too attached to any particular way of doing things as the whole process is unpredictable and you need to be open-minded. Of course the only thing which matters is that you and the baby are safe - not whether you had drugs, no drugs or anything else which happens.
I did lots of breathing classes and practice and hoped to be fairly natural, but ended up being induced and having an epidural very early on. The epidural was great. I had a lovely 8 hours in labour and was still mobile and using a birthing ball. When they let the epi wear off at the end for the pushing it was a real shock - I found the pain almost unbearable and completely exhausting. With hindsight I would have not let it wear off quite so much and I should have asked earlier during the pushing stage (which in my case was nearly 2 hours) for a top up. My strongest advice is don't get too attached to any particular way of doing things as the whole process is unpredictable and you need to be open-minded. Of course the only thing which matters is that you and the baby are safe - not whether you had drugs, no drugs or anything else which happens.
fragrance_t
New member
evaluate your pain level first, i would use epidural if you are scared of being painful. but if you are confident that you can take it, then drug-free should be a faster delivery.
I agree with some of the above postings that you don't need to decide now, but be well-prepared and keep an open mind for the various options.
I had my first baby at Adventist 2.5 years ago. I wanted to 'experience' the pain and tried not to use any pain relief when contractions began. But since I was induced the pain quickly became so frequent and intense that I had to call for an epidural after 2 hours struggle. And I must say it was so worth it. The anesthetist was very professional. The pain was soon gone but I was still totally conscious and could feel the contractions. Baby came out after 5 hours with just a few pushes. I had an episiotomy too but I didn't feel anything. It was a wonderful experience.
I heard that with epidural, you don't feel the pain so you will be more relaxed, which helps opening up the muscles down there and would quicken the labouring process too.
My second baby is due this Sept. I am seeing Dr. Joe Chan and will give birth in Adventist too. I will still try to go drug free again, until I can no longer bear with the pain
I had my first baby at Adventist 2.5 years ago. I wanted to 'experience' the pain and tried not to use any pain relief when contractions began. But since I was induced the pain quickly became so frequent and intense that I had to call for an epidural after 2 hours struggle. And I must say it was so worth it. The anesthetist was very professional. The pain was soon gone but I was still totally conscious and could feel the contractions. Baby came out after 5 hours with just a few pushes. I had an episiotomy too but I didn't feel anything. It was a wonderful experience.
I heard that with epidural, you don't feel the pain so you will be more relaxed, which helps opening up the muscles down there and would quicken the labouring process too.
My second baby is due this Sept. I am seeing Dr. Joe Chan and will give birth in Adventist too. I will still try to go drug free again, until I can no longer bear with the pain
i am in agreement with the ladies who said don't get too attached to YOUR PLAN. once you start experiencing the pain, then you determine what is best for you.
personally, i had an epidural. no regrets! got to the hospital at 8.30, insisted (??) on walking into the delivery "spa" and then when asked if i would like an epidural said YES PLEASE. 2.5 hrs later it wore off, 30 minutes after that i was holding my son. a great experience.
second delivery - i was under general anaesth
esia, so i am very very glad that i will always have that first wonderful, happy experience to remember.
personally, i had an epidural. no regrets! got to the hospital at 8.30, insisted (??) on walking into the delivery "spa" and then when asked if i would like an epidural said YES PLEASE. 2.5 hrs later it wore off, 30 minutes after that i was holding my son. a great experience.
second delivery - i was under general anaesth
esia, so i am very very glad that i will always have that first wonderful, happy experience to remember.
SophieHK,
It really depends on what type of pain you can endure. When I went into labour, I could take the contraction pain because it was the dull throbbing type. However, when the doctor and nurses performed the VE, I felt the short sharp pain which I could not take. That was when I asked for the epidural!
It really depends on what type of pain you can endure. When I went into labour, I could take the contraction pain because it was the dull throbbing type. However, when the doctor and nurses performed the VE, I felt the short sharp pain which I could not take. That was when I asked for the epidural!
I also agree with all the points about being open-minded and not too attached to the plan ... BUT I also think that if you decide you want a drug-free birth, it's important to do some reading and prep so that you are ready. I had a really lovely experience, and it was drug-free, but I know that if I hadn't done the reading, classes, and "practice" ahead of time I wouldn't have been able to do it. THe books I loved were Birthing from Within and Spiritual Midwifery --both really helped give me confidence, which I think is CRUCIAL for any kind of birth.