TENS to water - advice needed

[Mummylang]

Hoping somebody with TENS and water birth experience can help!

I've been convinced I wanted to use TENS since finding out I was pregnant and I have mine packed and ready to go (currently 37+5).

Just recently I've really fancied delivering in the water, but just worrying about how I'll cope when I've had TENS blocking pain for the whole labour and then it comes to taking it off to get into the water?

Anybody got any experience or advice? Want to deliver in water for a calm experience but don't want to suddenly jump from 0-100 on the pain scale when I take my TENS off!

Confused!

[scaredofthecity]

Tens doesn't block pain! You still feel the contractions just in a less intense way. I found tens very useful for early labour but when the contractions really got going I'm not so convinced it helped. I'd say there's every chance you'll want to try something different and won't even notice the transition. Plus unless your unlucky contractions aren't continuous so you should have time to get in the pool.
I'm sorry to be blunt but it's best your prepared that a tens on its own will not lead to a pain free labour

[Mummylang]

Oops - sorry if I sounded like I was hoping for a pain free labour - defo understand how tens works and that there's no such thing as a pain free labour but good to hear you don't think I wouldn't notice the transition. Just fear of the unknown!

[VamonosPest]

I had a baby last week and used tens and then birthed in the pool. I found the tens really helpful in earlier labour at home, both to help with the pain and then also as a bit of a distraction (using the boost during a contraction). I kept it on when we got to hospital but once I started using gas and air I think I stopped remembering to press the boost. It was no problem taking it off to get in the pool. I found the water to be good pain relief too. I didn't realise how much it was helps until during my previous labour when I had to get out of the pool to be examined and the contractions I had out of the water felt way more intense.

Good luck!

[Wolfiefan]

I used TENS for my first. Found it really useful until about three hours before he was born. At that point I got into the pool. Such a relief! It really wasn't a case of 0-100. By that point I had stopped noticing the TENS so much anyway. The water REALLY helped.
Good luck!

[Mummylang]

Thanks so much! That's reassuring x

[Mummylang]

Thanks - defo looking forward to the water now :)

[NennyNooNoo]

I used TENS for my first but didn't find it made any difference and i found the tingling sensation annoying so I ripped it off in the end. I planned a waterbirth with all 3 but only managed it with my third (third time lucky!). The relief when I got into the pool was incredible. It really did help. So personally, I wouldn't bother with the tens if you're planning a water birth but it's up to you. No harm in having it ready I suppose.
Also, be aware that if you're having a hospital,birth that some hospitals seem to be rather adverse to water births and only have limited facilities for these, or at least that was the case 10 years ago.

[annandale]

I loved the TENS apart from two problems - I gave the control to DH for a while (pointless, nobody else is going to be able to switch it to contraction mode quickly enough) and there is a point where it's just not doing much good. It was also a bit uncomfortable to remove (OK three problems). But I used it from the moment I knew things had started, before there was any pain at all, and it took me all the way to an hour before the birth, which I think is pretty good.

[annandale]

Oh and like others the pool was the business once the TENS was no longer enough.

[LucyLocketLostIt]

Agree tens is only good for early stages.

The water did nothing for me sorry but I think I was in pretty advanced labour by the time I got in there.

If I was going to do it all again, I would definitely go for an epidural.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and wishing you a straightforward delivery.

[Mummylang]

Thanks for all of your advice - annandale I'll have to get hubby to rip it off for me then! Wax on wax off!

[Apfelbunny]

I opted last minute for the pool with dc2 and didn't notice not having the tens.
I found after 10 minutes the water felt too hot, by the time dc2 arrived I was as relieved to get out the water as I was to meet my baby!

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

My experience was that it was incredibly effective. I could only have it set to 6/10 as it hurt me more than the contractions!
It got me fully dilated and halfway through labour before I called MW (home birth).

I planned all the above in your OP, but didn't have time to fill the pool!
But once MW arrived I was ready to go and whipped the Tens off so I was ready to concentrate.
I definitely didn't feel like I was going from all this pain relief to nothing, in fact by this late stage I just wanted it over and couldn't wait to meet baby.
Good luck OP

[Bananamanfan]

I had a water birth with dc3; it was lovely. No pain relief at all & i didn't even think of it. The most important thing is to remember to relax your body as much as possible; things get really painful when you try to fight it & tense up.

[UndersecretaryofWhimsy]

I was wearing my TENS up to 8cm. I was VERY reluctant to take it off and get in the pool! But once I did the water was amazing. I wouldn't worry.

[Acorncat]

I used tens until I was fully dilated, it was a tough decision to take it off so I could get in the pool! I literally took it off and climbed straight in so it wasn't too bad.