TENS for Childbirth

[RosiePosie]

I used a TENS machine very succesfully during my last labour, but it wasn't a great one - just a standard one from Blooming Marvellous I think. Anyhow, the leads all came apart half way through and it didn't have a booster thingy. I was just wondering if it would be worth getting a proper obstetric one with the booster button? Or is this just a gimmick? Would any old bog standard TENS machine do? I'm thinking about the neurotrac one, if anyone has experience, or any other recommendations. Thanks

I hired an obstetric one from Mothercare with a booster button, but it didn't do anything for me - in fact, it irritated me so much that I ripped it off and very nearly threw it out of the delivery suite window! I certainly wouldn't use one again.

I hired one with a booster button from Mothersbliss. It worked really well - didn't realise how well until they made me take it off

I hired one from the maternity unit (much cheaper than boots/mothercare etc), so worth checking if they offer this. It had a booster button, which I used alot and it did seem to help me through the contractions, in fact it was the only pain relief I had for an induced labour!

Good luck this time around

thanks - so you would say that the booster button is worth it? It does something a little bit extra? I really did love the TENS, was surprised at how much it helped. I'm hoping if I get a decent TENS this time I won't be so reliant on the G&A that I was last time ( I had a homebirth and because the MW was only allowed to carry 2 canisters with her we ran out, so I'm hoping to be more reliant on TENS and less so on G&A, this time!)

Our m/ws loan them out for free (the booster ones).Thought this was standard practice???

(Found it very helpful too.)

Yup I would definately say that the booster button was vital for me.

I hired mine from Boots. I have no idea if the currents, or whatever they are called, helped me, no idea at all, but what did help was the distraction of the thing. I was so busy thinking about was it doing anything and was I doing it properly and so on that it took my mind off other stuff iykwim.

Booster it is then!

No moondog, not standard practice - should be though, then the NHS probably wouldn't have to spend so much money on G&A, pethidine and epidurals.

I think I'm going to go the whole hog and get the super deluxe extra large sticky pads too

You push the boat out Rosie!
What got me was how unbearable it was when I wasn't in pain (like hailstones on your back) but when contractions were fast and strong it just felt like a tickle!

...you can usually hire the Femme Tens (proper obstetric version) through your local NCT branch (they have an agreement to donate £5 to the NCT charity for each one hired) If you're near Swindon you can hire one through us at www.thehavingababycompany.co.uk

I hired one from MothersBliss and found it great for pain relief ... so great in fact that I did't realise how far along I was and ended up not making it to the hospital!

Got mine from Boots very easy to use.Costs £25 with £25 refundable deposit too.

Used it right up to 9.5cm dilated and found it great!

Got mine from Boots very easy to use.Costs £25 with £25 refundable deposit too.

Used it right up to 9.5cm dilated and found it great!

Ebay Femme Tens

Then sell it on, er, Ebay! Cheaper than hiring in the long run