tens machine + cfm and other questions

[morocco]

anyone know anything about tens machines?
I have a boots one and used it a bit last pregnancy before having to have emergency c section but they're an unknown phenomena here and my docs were really surprised by the whole thing.
what i need to know this time is some info to give my obs-gy about them - especially - are they OK to use with continuous monitoring or not? is there any negative effect at all from using them that I should tell my obs about?
anyone out there know?
thanks in advance

[SoupDragon]

Hmmm... with DS1 (1999) I had to switch my Tens machine off when they were monitoring, with DS2 (2001) they said it was fine to leave on. I wonder which was right...

[LIZS]

With ds (1998) I kept it on despite continuous monitoring in UK. I think the frequency is low enough not to affect the monitoring equipment from what I remember. With dd I had to get one sent over from UK (not readily available or used in CH either) but didn't use it in the end as was induced and went from very manageable contractions to sudden labour so not much point as no gradual build up to bear. What other forms of pain relief can they offer you, just in case.

There are a couple of places on the net from where you can hire them. Perhaps one of those would have info you could print out - maybe even the Boots site ?

[popsycal]

i used with continuous monitoring
but once i had diamorphine i got really annoyed with both tens and gas and air and stopped using thme

[mears]

TENS can be used with fetal monitoring machines - was a problem years ago but not now. There is no need for continuous monitoring in a low risk, healthy pregnancy though.
More info here

[eyelash]

This doesn't answer your question, but I didn't use a tens with ds1, and did with ds2. I thought the tens machine was FANTASTIC. I put it on as soon as I went into labour and it stayed on until I got in the bath. I am a total convert and would highly recommend them.

There you go!

[morocco]

thanks everyone!
I really liked mine last time although I never got as far as 'established labour' but the minute it was taken off the pain hit me really hard - this might have had something to do with knowing I was going to have a c section though - we'll see.
the hospital wer really funny about it though and the only way I could explain what it was ended up sounding like i was deliberately giving myself electric shocks - nutter!

[popsycal]

Just spoken to Freddiecat - we got our tens machines from bodyclock

Freddie says she would not use them again howvever, as hers broke - but they did give her a full refund without wuestion.

Myself and my sis also used them and found them to be fine. I also rang them as i had to return mine 2 weeks late since we were in hospital 3 weeks after the birth and since Ds was in SCBU, I forgot. they didn't charge me any extra

[acnebride]

I first encountered tens when i worked in a physiotherapy unit where the physios used it for back pain i think. people seemed to like it so i hired one formy labour. thought it was great - - doesn't remove the pain at all but blurs it in what to me was a helpful way. only prob i found was when my dp tried to remove the pads during a huge contraction just before getting in the pool! i'd refer any curious doc to the physio dept.

[trude]

I found the tens machine to be great- It worked fine with continous monitoring and i did not end up needing any other form of pain relief. My friend has also just had her baby using only tens!