Worth getting TENS when planning HB with pool?

[RunningGuerita]

I can't decide if it's worth hiring a TENS given that we're planning a HB and have bought a birth pool to labour in... Part of me is reluctant to get more "gear" and part of me is also worried about getting dependent on the TENS and then not wanting to take it off to get into the water!

What is your experience with using a TENS and then getting into the birth pool? I know that some people like TENS and others don't but am particularly interested in those who were planning a water birth.

Thanks!

I hired my Tens from Boots. Used it before i got in the pool. Not sure how much pain relief it actually gave but it did give me something else to concentrate on.

Yes - I used mine til I got in the pool - was helpful in the early stages

YES! i used mine for some considerable time before getting into the water- plus first time it didnt go as planned at all (didnt end up using the water) so you never know what you will like, what will help and how it will all go. do get one. i too hired from boots.

Yes had 3 water births and used it from the start of labour to getting in the pool with all three.

Wasn't sure I would like it to be honest. But I LOVED IT.

Plus resale on ebay pretty much gets you full price back.

Thanks for all of the advice ladies. Much appreciated! I guess I should go on ahead and order/hire one.

I planned a waterbirth, but DD arrived quite quickly so didn't have time. Only used a TENs and it was fantastic. Your DH was right, it can't hurt to have it around.

def get a tens! you can't get in the pool until about 4cm so it will be very useful before that. if you don't want to take it off to get in the pool then don't! theres nothing wrong with changing your mind :-) i think you would be sensible to keep all your options open

a bit of advice I was told was to put the tens on as soon you start contracting, if you start it when the contractions are strong it won't do much. I was told that some people take it off thinking its not doing anything and soon realise it was!! but then when they put it back on it doesn't work :-(

I'm hiring one from the local midwives, it's about half the cost of hiring from Boots.

Really hope it helps, getting nervous now.