Tens machine - friend or foe?

[glitternanny]

just wondered whether you ladies could help a first timer.

Did you have a tens machine?

Did it help?

Which one did you use or are they all pretty much the same?

My oh used one for back painand said it was rubbish but my sisters and friends and many others in labour liked it and it benefited them.

[BreeVanDerTramp]

Friend for a short time, the problem with mine was that I used it during induction with Synto so had wires from tens, wires from CTG monitor and several drips - this all worked in harmony until I needed to pee, DH 'helped' me get the tens off by whiping it up to full pelt - the midwifes ran in as I was screaming like a banshee with her finger stuck in a plug socket. After that contractions were a breeze

[Matronalia]

Friend. But I had it on from first contractions so it could build up over time. You should also give it a try before labour to help you understand how it feels (this was recommended in the booklet) and to familiarise yourself with the controls. You know that relaxed happy post-orgasmic feeling; well thats what it felt like, I was completely relaxed and chilled-out. In labour I was able to hold onto that feeling, gave me more confidence. It is very good for back to back labours, it provides excellent counterpressure if you have back contractions, plus the longer labours mean that you can build up a much larger level of endorphins in your system.

Second labour DH decided to show DMother how it worked just as I was in transition. Screamed like BreeVanDerTramp and swore at him!

[nannyl]

i got through labour and birth with my obi tens and no other pain relief

i used it on level 4 + boost for the birth and that was as high as i ever needed it.

i highly recommend it and am keeping it for next time.

[lollystix]

Oh definite friend for me. Used it yesterday when popping ds4 and forgot how good it was coupled with g&a.

[glitternanny]

thank you ladies - congrats lollystix!!