Did you have a TENS machine for labour & would you recommend?

[Notthisoneagain]

Just that really. Wondering if it's worth me buying or hiring one for when labour starts.

Can anyone recommend any?

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MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for similar recommendations, our guide to the best TENS machine has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options – including devices you can hire as well as purchase – and has been compiled based on the recommendations of Mumsnetters as well as maternity experts. We hope it's helpful!

Yes I recommend. I hired mine from Tesco I think. Just remember to switch it off after birthday. My poor midwife got an electric shock when she took the pads off me as I was holding newborn DS2!

Yes i had a fantastic birth experience using tens then gas and air for the last hour. Get partner to learn how/where to put pads on and learn how to use it before!

I used one in the hospital (in hospital early as waters broke), and I hated it. I only had it on for about 5 mins till I gave up with it. That said, my labour wasn't a normal one for first time delivery. My labour only latest 1hr 20 (from contractions starting to birth) so things moved really quickly for me. I think you can buy them relatively cheaply and it's certainly worth a try though.

I borrowed one from the MLU during my loooooooong latent labour at home.

Did naff all for me except give a nice tingly warm sensation on my back. I felt all my contractions in my belly and upper thighs, so it just wasn’t going to work for me.

Very jealous of those who found it effective!

Yes!
Yes!

I bought one off eBay and it was great. I managed to get to 6cm then needed gas and air. Made the mistake of taking it off for a bath and realised how well it was working!

Yes I bought one. I don’t know if I was using it wrong but not only did it not help, I actually found the sensation borderline painful and very unpleasant. However I don’t regret giving it a go! Different things work for different people and there’s no harm in going into labour open to trying anything.

In contrast to others here; I borrowed one, put it on when about 7cm dilated (was ok before that) and couldn't get it off quick enough. It was horrible and I'd never consider one again.

But they clearly work for some.

Yes it really helped me. I had a very long back to back labour. I found it helped having something to answer the pain back with when I pushed the button.

I used one for giving birth to my children.
I understand it works better the earlier you put it on when in labour.

Dunno if it was just a distraction but I used it up to the last pushing part and had no other pain relief.
I think it's worth a try.

Thought it was rubbish until the batteries ran out 🤣 yes it really helped!

I don't think it helped with the pain, other than to distract me for a while.

Yep, it's all I used for first birth...48 hours and forceps. I WAS screaming for an epidural at the end, but it was too late by then

Used TENS with gas and air for second. Don't really know if it helped, as i havent given birth without one. But even if it is psychological, it's good right?

Yes for both labours, I had already used TENS for shoulder pain so was used to the slightly odd sensation. The setting I had it on for labour was SO much higher though! In the end it was the only pain relief I had both times (but very fast births so didn't have much choice in the matter), much better than gas and air (tried it briefly, doesn't do much).

TENS works in two ways. Firstly it distracts the brain with alternative nerve pain signals, secondly it promotes endorphin release but this effect only happens after continued use after a couple of hours, so leave it on and it'll work better. I turned it on as soon as I realised I was in labour and kept it on (turned it up of course) throughout, and for some time after. You can't have it on for too long as far as I know.

Only downside is you can't get in a birth pool with it!

I hired one from Boots for both of my labours. It's great in early labour when you might be at home and I couldn't have done without it. In the later stages I had gas and air as it wasn't really strong enough to help.

Absolutely. I didn’t have one for my first, but did for my second and it definitely made a difference. By the time you get to the main event, it doesn’t do much, but was amazing up until that point and also for the after pains.

Yes, loved it. I hired mine from Birthease (I think) and it was so easy and cheap.

Only thing I would say though is get a wireless one if you can. The wires irritated me when I was on all fours and I ended up ripping the TENS off and lobbing is across the room. But up until then I loved it and got to 10cm on it.

Yes I would 100% recommend. I was induced and the TENS machine provided a lot of relief in the early stages. My labour dragged on and I did have to go to stronger pain relief but the TENS machine saw me through for about 10 hours

All it did was give me what felt like a shock in my back which only exacerbated the contractions!

My midwife has told me to put it on ASAP at home when my contractions start, so I think putting it on early is key!

I used one of the hospitals and it was great! It just took the edge off the early contractions, well worth it!