Birth Stories
Natalie Planned an Epidural… But TENS Got Her Through
Natalie’s story is such a great reminder that birth doesn’t always go to plan — and sometimes we surprise ourselves with what we’re capable of. After planning for an epidural, Natalie found her TENS machine became an incredible source of support during her fast-moving induction labour. I want to share some of my birth story. I was induced and because I have a low pain tolerance, I’d always planned to have an epidural. My induction started at 9am, but it took until 4pm before I started having more frequently contractions. At this point I started using the TENS machine to help me through the pain. The machine worked like a charm, I felt quite relaxed and tried to walk more to help with labour. I was 6cm dilated when my waters broke around 6pm. Within 10 mins, I was 8 cm dilated. I asked for epidural 10 times, but they said it was too late! I used the “boost” button on the TENS during the contractions pretty much throughout my whole labour. I was so surprised with how amazing the machine was. It helped to relieve pain and somehow, I managed to push through. I don’t think I could have survived without it. My baby arrived safe and sound. Thank you so much. Natalie
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More Than a Backup: Lauren’s Labour TENS Story
The TENS machine became Lauren's lifeline for a natural, drug-free labour.
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Induction to Baby Matilda: A Calm, Supported Birth with TENS
When we welcomed our baby girl, Matilda, to the world we found the TENS machine we hired from NatalCare Naturally incredibly helpful during our labour. We were induced using the Misoprostol method. I took my first dose of Misoprostol around midday and started feeling tightenings around 10.30pm that evening. By around 3.30am in the morning the tightenings were too painful for me to sleep through. At around 6am I asked my partner to help me put on the TENS machine and started using it on the lowest setting. I found the sensation of the TENS machine provided a soothing distraction during contractions. My contractions continued to build throughout the day and we moved to the delivery suite around 10.30pm on Saturday night when I was 2.5cm dilated. I continued to use the TENS machine, up to the third or fourth setting throughout active labour, alongside gas and panadol. Because we'd needed to be induced we needed to have a monitor attached to my belly throughout active labour, which meant I was unable to move around into different positions or use the shower or birthing pool to help with pain management. I ended up needing to lie on my side on the bed so was really reliant on the TENS and gas to help me manage the pain of each contraction. At 4.31am our little girl was born happy and healthy via normal vaginal delivery. I think having the TENS machine made it possible for me to avoid other methods of pain relief and I'm really pleased that it supported me to have the birth experience I wanted to have. - Julia
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