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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

TENS Machine - worth it and if so which one?

27 replies

sloathy · 02/02/2011 10:57

Hello

I am 28 weeks with DC1 and starting to think about the birth rather a lot (probably not helping myself by watching OBEM!). Anyway, a friend has recommended that I hire a TENS machine as she found it helpful during the early part of her labour (she ended up with an epidural at about 6cm so can't really tell me whether it would have continued to help past that point.

I just wondered if anyone could share their experience of a) whether it helped and b) if so which model did you use?

Many thanks!

OP posts:

liamsdaddy · 02/02/2011 11:55

Yes, my wife said her TENS machine helped a lot.

We rented one from out local NCT branch rather then buy it. Unfortunately I can't remember precisely which brand/model it was now (it was 22 months ago).

hastingsmum · 02/02/2011 13:50

They are quite cheap to buy, I would recommend buying one, you can always sell it on after.

I can't recommend them enough.

japhrimel · 02/02/2011 15:40

I got the one the NCT rent (Mama Tens?), but I bought it direct as they had an offer on and I needed it fast. It really really helped me - even though I never got into established labour I had 6 days of early labour/on-off ctx with a failed induction and coped with Tens and Natal Hypnotherapy.

theborrower · 02/02/2011 15:59

I rented one from Boots and thought it was great, I think it's definitely worth trying. I ended up having a section though as baby was found to be breech so I don't know how it would have been further into labour and at the end, but it definitely took the edges of my contractions and made them quite bearable. I'll be using one next time for sure. They're about £30 from Boots and you get them 3 weeks before your due date and need to be returned about 2 weeks after your due date (I think) but you can request a free extension. Check out their website for more details.

NotAnotherNewNappy · 02/02/2011 16:04

I'd recommend one for helping with the early stages of labour too. I also had a Mama Tens, which was fine. They are pretty simple machines (just a battery, a nob, a wire and some sticking plaster to attach it to your back!)so I don't think it matters which one you buy.

If cash is an issue, ask around to see if any of your friends have one you can borrow as you can buy replacement pads for around £10. Best of luck! x

hastingsmum · 02/02/2011 16:08

and if you buy second hand make sure it's birth one with a boost button.

theborrower, i tried Boots when my TENS broke the other day and they hire the macvhines for £59.99 for 4 weeks, which is just rediculous as you can buy them cheaper than that.

I think Mothercare hire for about £20. or they sell on ebay second hand around £15 depenjding on what it is

NotAnotherNewNappy · 02/02/2011 16:11

That was meant to be knob, as in control knob

theborrower · 02/02/2011 16:12

See here for Mama Tens on Boots.com

hastingsmum :( Mamatens is only £32.99 to hire, but £69.98 to buy. They do their own version from £30.98

Original poster

sloathy · 02/02/2011 17:04

Thanks very much everyone for your advice.

OP posts:

mum295 · 02/02/2011 17:38

Yes, definitely worth it!

hastingsmum · 02/02/2011 18:48

theborrower, I never checked hiring online, needed a unit straight away in case I went into labour (am 40+ weeks now) the same evening and in my Boots all they could offer was the stupidly expensive £54.99 deal

But I ordered a Mama Tens from Amazon with over night delivery and got one now. Thanks, for finding the info for me though...

Sorry sloathy for hijacking your thread

theborrower · 03/02/2011 09:14

hastingsmum - that's a shame, they should have told you about the hiring thing, it was really quick and easy, but if you needed it straight away I guess that was easier if you needed it there and then. Hope it works out for you! (you too Sloathy!) :)

BootyMum · 03/02/2011 10:00

I bought a Obi Tens machine from NCT shop. I think it was about £30? I found it a very simple and effective machine. The sticky pads are also reusable.

I used this for DS1 and found it very helpful in early stages of labour. Am now planning to use same machine for birth of DS2.

I think financially it makes more sense to buy one as you can use machine again and again [I have also lent mine to friends for their labours] and then sell it on when you no longer need it.

StrangewaysHereICome · 03/02/2011 11:12

I went into my local Boots and they will hire me one for £25 with a £25 returnable deposit which is cheaper than the ones they sell. If you do buy one make sure it has a boost for the contractions, not all TENS machines are suitable for labour.

I found mine very useful, but a word of warning - make sure your partner has read the instructions as when things get tough you won't remember what buttons to press. My DH nearly zapped me through the ceiling because he hadn't read how use it and panicked!!

I used it up to transition in both labours and then took gas and air. DC no 3 due in the next couple of weeks and will be using it again.

StrangewaysHereICome · 03/02/2011 11:14

Forgot to add, if you are planning more children I would definitely buy one - I wish I had as it would have been cheaper than hiring each time .

franzipan · 03/02/2011 11:25

I hired an Elle Tens machine for £26.95 from Birthworks as I was also hiring a pool. However, I found the pool better than the Tens machine.

Good luck Sloathy :)

BootyMum · 03/02/2011 20:53

Oh yes, boost button is important. Obi Tens machine has this.

Good luck!

MerryMarigold · 03/02/2011 20:56

I rented one from somewhere online (it wasn't Boots) and it was really great, certainly in initial stages. After about 4cms dilated nothing helped! (Sorry!)

Wigeon · 03/02/2011 21:16

Used mine right through the labour until the very end. Was an ancient old thing but seemed to do the trick!

MumOfBillyTheKid · 03/02/2011 22:28

I used mine for both DC1 and DC2 - excellent help. With DC1 I wished I hadn't taken it off to get in pool, I personally found it more helpful than water (ended up with EMCS).

With DC2, I used it all the way to pushing (back to back VBAC).

Both times, hired from Natures Gate - think their prices are reasonable and they have a long hire time. Paid to get the reusable pads, just in case of false labour.

As someone else said, make sure boost button and try it out/get partner to know where to put on pads. Best of luck!

nofrills · 04/02/2011 04:31

MIne saw me through to 9cm when I finally got my hands on some entonox but I found the tens invaluable - also used Mamatens which is a really simple device. Cannot recommend enough but make sure you put it on early as it works better that way.

Readytoburst · 04/02/2011 09:34

I think I rented mine from mothercare. I found it provided a distraction - pressing buttons took my attention away from contractions! That's as helpful as I found it! It didn't do anything for my pain, if anything it hurt more - sending my back into spasm! I did get to 7cm before going into hospital though and getting in the birthing pool - it was mostly on the wrong setting by this point!!

Original poster

sloathy · 04/02/2011 20:31

Thank you all for the advice. I will definitely look into either renting or buying one. Will also make sure DP gets up to speed with how to use it!

OP posts:

chocadoodle · 04/02/2011 21:54

I rented one for DS's birth 2 years ago based on others recommendations from Lloyds pharmacy (think it was Elle?). It didn't work for me, I found it more of an irritant which just added to the discomfort. But, as others have pointed out you can rent them very cheaply so wouldn't be a bad idea if you think it might help. I wore mine until about 6cms and only kept it on that long because I was hoping it would start helping at some point and wanted to persevere. When I finally gave in and took it off it was such a relief.

donnakebabnew · 23/03/2011 09:40

Hi I used a company called www.babytens.net and they were great, the Tens was fab for my very long labour and I pretty much got right to the end on the tens alone. They seemed to be the cheapest around to and came with a booster button.

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