TENS?

[RIBS]

Do they work?? 1st time mum and I dont know anyone who has used them. Any comments welcome. Thanks.

[ajm200]

Some people love them, but personally I hated the tingling. I asked for it to be removed after about 40 mins.

You could try contacting the physio dept of your local hospital to find out if they lend them out and can let you try one. Some hospitals will demo them so that your OH can learn to position it correctly so that you can use it at home before going in.

[policywonk]

I used one on both of my labours and found it brilliant - but it's a very individual thing. If you search for 'TENS' on here you'll find roughly equal numbers of posters saying that they found it brilliant/rubbish.

Just on ajm's tip about trying one in advance - bear in mind that the sensation will feel very strange if you're not having contractions! (It will still feel strange if you are having contractions, but possibly in a good way.)

[notcitrus]

Got one off Ebay that SIL2 used - it's got a setting for back pain in late pregnancy, and then two for using in labour. The woman who sold it used it for three labours and said it's important to practice putting it on and testing the back pain setting (but not the others!) before labour.

SIL2 thought it was fab until the second stage of labour, when it didn't really cut it any more. Reminds me, must test it myself!

Some TENS machines are only for back pain not pregnancy so check what you're buying first. Hiring seems almost as expensive as buying.

[PortBlacksandResident]

What Policy Said.

I delivered DS1 with forceps and a huge (think bumectony) cut with only Tens, G&A and local anaesthetic. Not my ideal choice but he had to come THEN - born blue etc.

DS2 with G&A and Tens.

For me...........Brilliant!

Had it turned up to 11 for both births though!

[hotCheeseBurns]

I found my TENS machine really good in the early stages, and would recommend that you try it, but don't expect it to help much once labour is well established.

[poppy34]

I think so - strapped it on when contractions started and kept them on til was 8 cm dilated.. definitely felt the difference when came off - it takes the edge off contractions . TO add to AJM/policywonk there is a funny sensation to them but I quite liked it ...kept it turned down to middle rank and it was fine.

Friend who also used it agreed defo helped with her labour too.