Canadian Natural Mama ~ Product Reviews: Midwifery Supply Shop ...

This Midwifery Supply shop is not only an amazing online shop, but an amazing wealth of resources and knowledge. When I first contacted Jill Colpitts about a review, I was extremely interested in water births and how to choose the best pool for an at home water birth. She wrote back and not only answered my questions but had a lot of great advice on a ton of things that I had not even thought of. Although I had previously had two births with midwives, I was not up on all there is to know about a water birth. I was naive and thought hmmm a water birth would be cool, all I need is one of those fancy pools, right?? She walked with me, outlining step by step on supplies I would need if I were going to buy a pool, and what to look for if I was to rent a pool myself.

Btw, she suggests her site's best seller the Aquaborn Eco Birth Pool - Professional


With the five use warranty this pool offers, it can be easily shared with other moms so you can get the most bang for your buck. Just don't try all birthing at the same time... that could get a bit crowded ;) Who is Jill Colpitts, and why should you trust her opinion over your neighbor's best friend's mother's sister's daughter who once had a home birth?? Well, Jill not only represents Midwifery Supplies Canada, but also Mama Goddess Birth Shop and Safe Beginnings First Aid. To quote her site, she is, "a CPR/first aid instructor, DONA certified doula, and a general birth enthusiast".That is definitely someone that I would want in my birthing corner, that's for sure!! If you have any questions about birthing she is your girl! A great doula can definitely be a pregnant and postpartum woman's best friend that's for sure. The product that she did recommend I try is a cool little device called the Elle TENS Machine.
Besides looking like a really cool remote control, this crazy little thing can be used for back-aches, tension headaches, etc from 37 weeks and beyond. Since Cupcake (#2 baby) came so quickly my lower back was beyond messed up and was constantly giving me pain all throughout my pregnancy with number three. Sometimes just getting out of bed to pee in the middle of the night had me feeling like a 78 year old woman. I had never heard of a TENS machine before and was curious to see if it could help. Jill informed me that the more you use your TENS machine, the more effective it will be for labor. You can even use it in post-partum recovery, even if you have had a c-section. I was intrigued. One of the best parts of this device is that it can also be covered by many extended benefits plans with a simple prescription. If only I had have found out about this with baby #2, I wonder how my back pain would have been...

What is a TENS machine and what exactly does TENS even stand for?? TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation. The Canada Childbirth TENS website explains it in this way: ? "The TENS is a small, lightweight unit. Leading out of the unit are 4 small wires that attach to 4 self adhesive pads, these pads are applied to the back and small electrical pulses pass through them. The electrical pulses stimulate nerve cells that partially block the pain signals from the uterus and cervix from reaching the brain, it also stimulates the brain to produce its own pain relieving substances called endorphins. The TENS unit has a booster button to temporally increase the intensity of the pulses during contractions." ?The Elle TENS machine can easily be used, and comes with a easy to read instruction book, plus one complete set of electrodes. It is recommended however, that if you are wanting to share this machine with your partner, or family member, that they purchase their own set of electrodes for hygienic reasons. All of the settings are pre-set so there is no fumbling around with the buttons trying to find the perfect setting. I must admit, the first time I was all hooked up to the electrodes I felt a bit like a scientific experiment. I had no idea what to expect. Basically what happens is that you get these sticky pads all hooked up on your back/shoulder/wherever, and then get plugged into the hand held device. The device comes with a cord so you can wear it around your neck for portablity, too. You select your mode based on how strong and close together you need the pulses. Optimax Technology gives an extra reserve of power for when you really need it. I can see how the more you use it, the more helpful it would be during labor. The pulses help to raise the level of your own pain relieving chemicals known as endorphins and block pain signals from reaching the brain.

The Elle TENS machine differs from a regular TENS machine, in the way that it has been tested and is safe for pregnancy. Do not use a regular TENS machine during pregnancy. Though I used the Elle TENS machine from weeks 36 on, I did not actually get to use it for my actual labor. Sad face. I just was so in denial I was actually in labor, and walking around my house chasing kids etc. that really there was no time to think of it. Whoops. I did however have a water birth at home... in the bath tub, which confuses my son. "But mommy how did you KNOW that the baby was going to want to come in the bath tub??" The times that I did use the Elle TENS, I was actually pleasantly surprised with how it did affect my lower back pain for the better. I suffer from terrible shoulder pain from old rugby injuries, so I know that this will not be the last time that I use the TENS. My husband actually is eyeing it up for himself. I better keep an eye on it haha. One of my close girlfriends had an awful labor with a ton of back pain so I think I will be letting her use this for her December birth. I am curious to see how she likes it! If you are looking for drug-free pain options you may want to look into this handy little alternative to medicated pain relief. Browse the Midwifery Supplies Canada website today!

Thanks SO much to Jill for her expertise. I will definitely be sending any of my pregnant natural mama friends in your direction from now on!

Source: http://canadian-natural-mama.blogspot.com/2012/11/midwifery-supply-shop-tens-machine.html

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