some questions on TENS and birthing pools

[NinjaChipmunk]

I'm 35 weeks with dc2. I really liked the MW led unit I gave birth in last time so am intending to use it again this time. I was very freaked out by the pain last time and as a result I went in quite early in the first stage and my second stage was 3 and a half hours ending in an episiotomy and ventouse delivery. I feel much more able to cope this time as I know how wonderful my ds is and also how painful birth can be so hopefully the fight/ flight instinct won't be so bad.
My mw's have recommended both TENS machine and birthing pool but I really don't know much about wither. Can anyone explain when you start to use each one and exactly how they help/ what they do? Am I right in thinking you shouldn't get into a birthing pool until you are past 5cm at least? And when do you start using a TENS?
Any experiences would be useful. I know everyone has different reactions but I am after as much information as I can get!

You start using the TENS just before it becomes hurty, you get into the birth pools as late as you can but as soon as you need to.

Lots of midwife's prefer it to be after 5cm but there shouldn't be any rules.

I used a TENS machine and it was brilliant, but by the time I got to about 5cm it wasn't really helping any more*, so I would have thought use your TENS at home and on the way into the MLU, then take it off to go into the water? Midwife should be able to tell you a bit more.

*My DC1 was malpositioned and I found being in water absolutely horrible when I was contracting early on in my labour, so in a "normal" labour TENS is likely to be effective for longer - I lent my friend the machine and it was the only pain relief she had for her short (4 hours from start to finish!) uncomplicated delivery :)

Hi, the TENS machine works by interrupting the neurological pathways in your body that tell you you're in pain. I used it from about 3cms dilation with DD1 and found it a welcome distraction to the increasing pain of contractions. I used it in conjunction with G&A through a looooooong labour and felt they both did a good job at keeping the pain levels at a tolerable level.

I have no experience with birth pools, sorry. I'm sure another Mumsnetter will be along to inform you :) I always fancied birthing in water, but it wasn't to be!

I do know that you won't be able to use TENS in the pool (water + electricity = bad). Maybe if you use TENS and G&A before gettin into the pool, then G&A and the water once in, then you should have balanced pain management.

HTH, and good luck! X

Yes, if I manage to use both I must remember to take the TENS off before getting in
Awesome, thanks for the info. Any more experiences out there?

I also had benefit from using a tens machine but it was more of a "how the blooming hell does this work?" and "I wonder what that button does". If you use one, take the instructions!!!!

My Mom had to take control of the TENS machine at one point. She was fiddling and farting around with the buttons and inadvertently turned the charge up. So, when I pressed the button during a contraction, WHOOMPH! I got quite the electric shock.

Didn't feel the contraction, though

and I soon snatched the TENS back from Mother's hands ...

No experience but I kept meaning to order my TENS machine and forgot with money being tight. My DP says I just kept saying 'I wish I had a TENS', so much he was going to get one but I was only in labor 7 hours from first contraction to having DD.

Have one!

I didn't have to buy one, FWIW. I borrowed one from the hospital.

I used a TENS as soon as I thought I might be in labour and it clearly did some good as when I eventually went to the hospital I was already fully dialated. (not a super fast labour BTW about 12 hours from very start to birth) I really recommend it even if it only works for you at the early stages.

TENS are a very 'marmite' experience, but worth a try. You might find one on ebay. I had TENS then pool for DS1, and was doing well till the TENS got accidentally turned down again (opposite problem to Luna) in the car on the way to hospital. Then got G&A in the pool.

With DS2 all I had was TENS, but he was a good deal quicker! So quick that I didn't actually make it to hospital ...

I used a TENS from the very beginning. The earlier the better, is what I heard. But my labour kicked in very suddenly from nothing to painful contractions every 3 minutes straight away. I had the Elle Tens, I bought one as I intended to have 2 children (currently 35 weeks with #2), and buying one worked out cheaper than hiring twice especially as I can sell it on ebay afterwards. The levels go from 1 to 10 and there is a boost button for the contractions. This means there is intermittant prickling and then it turns into a sort of vibration for the contraction when you press boost. I found it really helpful and I hummed along to the vibration of it which felt really good.
I had a homebirth and the midwife wasn't with me till right at the end but I reckon I got right up to transition with just the TENS (and hypnobirthing) because at some point, when I'd got the TENS up to level 8, I just felt it was annoying and not helping any more. I ripped it off and jumped in the pool. Within about 15 minutes I was spontaneously pushing.
I managed the pushing without any other pain relief than being in the pool which was just amazing (the pool was amazing, that is, not my pushing ).
Even though the midwife turned up at that point I decided not to ask for gas and air because the pool was enough. Also what was lovely about the pool was no one touched my baby as she came out and I picked her up off the bottom of the pool and was the first to hold and touch her.
This time I'm planning the same again but will probably ask for G&A just because it's really nice, not necessarily because I'll need it! (I had it for stitches last time)

I've hired an Elle one and it should arrive next week. Whilst I would very much like a dc3 at some point I am an old gimmer at nearly 38 so figured hiring it was the best way to go (plus its only £23 for 7 weeks hire so not a bad price with return postage included).
Its all seeming a bit more real now eeek!

I was really surprised by how effective the TENS machine was. I tested it out a few weeks before giving birth and the sensation was just... annoying. But when it came down to it, the sensation in my back competed with the contractions in the front and cancelled them out. Course, as the labour progressed it wasn't quite that effective, but it really helped. I was still wearing it at 8cm and was scared to take it off, even though it wasn't doing anything anymore

It's important to start using it in early labour so your endorphins build up.

Hired a tens machine from the hospital for the birth of both my children and with both, only had to use this +gas and air. Begin using as soon as pains become uncomfortable to build up the effect. Stayed at home until 7cm with just tens for relief and During second delivery I used the machine right up to actually giving birth!
Really worthwhile piece of equipment (and I'm a real scaredy cat when it comes to any sort of pain)!

I had a pool at home, and intended to get in as soon as I felt I needed it. When the MWs turned up I was examined, found to be 6cm and the MW suggested blowing the pool up so that it'd actually get used fucking lovely it was.

TENS machine didn't make it out of the box.