Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

TENS machines - which type?

12 replies

ecuse · 15/03/2011 14:02

OK so I'm thinking of hiring a TENS machine. I know people have mixed opinions on them - some people think they're eternal salvation and others a waste of space - so I figured it's worth a try.

However, there seems to be a bewildering array for hire online. Are there any particular functions or features that are worth it? Is it worth paying more for the more expensive machines - what are you getting for the extra money? Which functions are a waste of time/money?

Or should I just shop around for the cheapest machine I can find?

OP posts:

theborrower · 15/03/2011 14:36

Hi ecuse - I posted on a thread about TENS machines recently see link to previous thread here

Boots online is a good place to start as I'm sure they have a guide to each one, and it's really easy to hire. I used a MAMA Tens machine, but not the one with a contraction timer as my hubby had an app on his silly i-gadget that we used instead. It did me fine :)

MummyAbroad · 15/03/2011 14:38

I am the "eternal salvation" type and I used a Boots one (hired) I had a 7 and half hour labour and 9 pound baby. I kept the TENS on all through entire labour and third stage - It did NOT provide adequate pain relief for the stitching up afterwards - owch!!

I have to say, while I loved the relief - I couldnt actually work the machine because my brain was too fuddled so I gave the machine to my husbands and just shouted "BUTTONS!" everytime a contraction came and we got through just fine.

1stTimeMother · 17/03/2011 07:55

Hi ecuse jumping on here as I need to work this out as well - any decisions/thoughts on buying or hiring?!?!

Janus · 17/03/2011 11:53

Well, I'm 37 weeks due with my fourth and shall be using it yet again!
I think I have had a different one each time as was either borrowing one or then bought one which was then lent out and someone lost and then replaced with the current one.

TBH I think they all do the same job, a jab of electricity at the right time!! I honestly think it is fab, the only other pain relief I have ever had is gas and air. Think you just need a basic one though as, like MummyAbroad says, your head is so fuddled in labour that even pressing one button is enough! Think I found mine on and stuck to some peculiar region about half hour after giving birth!
Do take a spare battery along with you just incase it gives out.

MummyAbroad · 17/03/2011 12:55

I hired mine from Boots and the customer service is excellent. If you go over you due date/hire time they dont mind as long as you give them to let them know - no extra charge for going over. You can return in person or by post if its easier. I wish I had bought now though, as I need another one for baby number 2!

MummyAbroad · 17/03/2011 12:57

sorry that should be "give them a ring to let them know"

1Catherine1 · 17/03/2011 13:11

I decided that I would buy one "just in case" they work. I'm also a first timer but the way I see it is that for the first few hours of labour I'm at home alone and if I need the pain relief then I would rather have something than nothing. I opted for the elle TENS machine because it came up best with "which?" and because it was the top one (most expensive) offered by all the shops to hire - so I figured it was probably the best.

I choose to buy rather than rent since I intend to have more than one child and for the price of hiring it twice you can buy one new off ebay. I also think that my little sister might get some use out of it in the next few years so its more of an investment.

BlueChampagne · 17/03/2011 13:14

I rented one first time, but kicked myself for not buying as I always planned 2 DCs! Luckily I was able to borrow one from a friend. So, if you're planning to have more, buy. Try ebay?

You might also be grateful for BF-related back and shoulder aches.

lovemybabyboy · 17/03/2011 13:44

I think I just googled it and found tenshire.co.uk where i rented one, I found it really good, they deliver it 3 weeks before your due date and then you have I think it was 4 or 5 weeks after the due date to send it back, they provided a free post envelope for returning.
cant remember how much it cost (DS is 2.3yrs now!) but think it was fairly reasonable.
I am 8+1 weeks pregnant with DC2 and if all goes well I think i will get one from them again!

lovemybabyboy · 17/03/2011 14:00

Just had a look and its 21.95 on Tens-Hire.co.uk.
Hope this helps!

Original poster

ecuse · 17/03/2011 14:27

I've decided to go for the Elle one one and hire it. The best place I found was www.tens.co.uk/ who do 7 weeks for £23.50 plus also give you the option to buy extra big pads "to maximise effectiveness". Don't know whether they will, but for an extra £2.50 it seems worth a punt. Plus they include a spare set of practice electrodes. Thanks for all the advice!

OP posts:

HipHopopotomus · 17/03/2011 14:43

I hired one from BOOTs - I used it for about 20 hours or so I guess until I was allowed eventually into the pool. I have no idea if it 'worked' or not, but as I was very slow to dilate, with full on contractions for 35 hours I was very grateful for the distraction at least.

Flip