Would u recommend a TENS machine?

[mlr1uk]

Just wonder if a waste of money or something worthwhile??

Thanks

[Xmasbaby11]

Did nothing for me! I tried everything. Should have gone straight to epidural!

[Wishiwasmoiradingle2017]

Def worthwhile but I loaned one from mw ago way through pregnancy for sciatica. Used it in labour also. .
Tip tho to replace battery before labour. Dh did it while I was all wired up and had it on full!! Screamed I was being electrocuted!! Was funny looking back but wasn't then!!

[Belfastbird]

Waste of money for me

[YoumeandlittleP]

It did nothing for me either. In fact, my husband put it on when my proper contractions started and I wanted it off straight away. BUT, saying that, I've spoken to a few women and they said it worked a treat for them. I second what the pp said and hire one.

[user1471543817]

Yes! Got me to 10cm with back to back labour and also use of syntocinon drip. It's certainly a weird feeling but a wonderful piece of kit.

[divadee]

Mine worked for very early labour. When I was contracting every 3 mins it got on my bloody nerves and I ripped the thing off.

[Ordinarily]

It only worked a tiny amount for me. But I'd still recommend giving it a go as there's nothing to lose!

[BelafonteRavenclaw]

I hired one for DS1 and it stayed in the box. I didn't bother for DS2.

[BlueKarou]

Was great for me, but my labour was very quick - admitted at 3-4cm, was 10cm within 2 1/2 hours, and active labour was all of 6 minutes, most of which was gurneying me down the corridor and into the delivery room, then getting the monitors etc set up.

I found the TENS helped with managing the harder contractions - I knew roughly how long they lasted and the counter on the machine was reassurance that it would be over soon.

Mine did break though, so only 2 of the 4 pads were hooked up. Didn't make too much of a difference I don't think.

[Bubblysqueak]

Not sure if it worked for me but it was a brilliant distraction, especially when dh had the controls!

[MrsWooster]

Brilliant w second induced labour with drip and everything. Get the mw to put the pads on; they've done it Before!

[rew0077]

Was great for me, especially the drive to the hospital. I didn't need it at the hospital as I was straight in the water but up to then I found it very useful!

[Imaginingdragonsagain]

Was great for me. I had no other pain relief for dc1 and it got me to 9cm dilated with dc2 (then used some gas and air).

[SocksOn]

Thought I'd try it with my third labour.

Was ok until 3/4 cm dilated then it just pissed me off and I ripped the damn thing off me.

It's a good distraction to start with. Fiddling with buttons and I definitely think it helps a little with the pain.

When you're in agony anythings worth a shot. (And it's hilarious watching your dh try it before labour-for the 'rest run' obviously)

[Elledouble]

Worked up to a point for me. Not sure if I'd really sussed out how to use it well enough before everything got crazy painful (back to back labour) and I do know people who thought they were great.

Actually, once I had my baby in my arms and I was coming out of my post-pethedine haze, I suddenly felt a weird sensation on my back - I'd had it on and forgotten about it for about six hours!

[SocksOn]

Test run.

[LittleWonderYou]

Worked for me from early contractions to getting into the birthing pool. You have to put it on early and build up slowly. By the end I had it on full and really noticed how effective it was when I took it off for examinations. Like a PP I also found it useful to count down the contractions from peak to trough.

I bought mine on eBay and got spare pads from Amazon. It doesn't work for everyone but worth trying imo.

[SocksOn]

Oh and it was a back to back labour

[JaniceBattersby]

Absolute shite for me. In fact, I think it actually made things more uncomfortable.

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Yes! I had it on for my whole labour (although that's cause I forgot about it in the latter stages). Definitely helped me focus during contractions up to 10cm. But I was lucky to have a short labour (4 hrs and went from 3cm to 10 in about 40 mins) so I'm sure that helped.

[Acornantics]

I hired one for both labours, used it up until the point where contractions started in earnest and then I couldn't bear it anywhere near me, ripped it off and chucked it as far away as possible!!

[CatsCantFlyFast]

Yes. Got me to 7cm in 4 hours. Didn't want to take it off to get in the pool. Make sure it has a boost button and put it on at the first sign of twinges

[HelenaJustina]

Bloody loved mine, used it with all 4 labours.

With first two, took it off to get in the water and also had g&a. With last two just used TENs and g&a at the very end (9cm+) it is hugely individual though so worth hiring if you're not sure.

I bought mine at DC1 and was worth the investment for me! Have since lent it to my DSis as well.

[tiokiko]

Definitely recommend. With DD1 I thought it was doing nothing until the MW accidentally knocked it off when I was in labour (approx 7cm).

I nearly hit the roof when I felt the 'real' contractions. Put it back on and got to 9cm then some G&A before DD1 was born.

But buy some spare pads / electrodes in case you have a super-long latent phase like I did.