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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Is it worth buying/hiring a TENS?

16 replies

Mmmmcheese · 02/12/2011 13:27

Im 37 weeks and not looked into TENS before as for various reasons the baby was expected to come early and you're not meant to use them before 37 weeks. I will be having an early epidural and likely to have a fairly quick labour as first one was 4 hours (10 weeks prem tho). Is it worth getting one? Have heard mixed reviews.

OP posts:
BonnyBanks · 02/12/2011 13:30

I thought mine was great, really made a difference. You need to make sure you have a wee trial run so you know what goes where.

tiokiko · 02/12/2011 13:31

I had a long slow labour with DD1 (3.5 days at home then 8hrs in hosp) and it was amazing, made a big difference.

DD2 was 1hr start to finish but I still got the TENS on as soon as cx started. It didn't help in the same way as with DD1 but was definitely worth having, especially helped me cope on the way in to hosp when I needed to push, had it on boost constantly at that point!

mollschambers · 02/12/2011 13:34

If you're having an early epidural then probably not. Did nothing for me. Gas and air on the other hand....

FWIW my best labour was the one where I didn't have an epidural. Speedy with no intervention or stitches. Epidural slows things right down for me.

speculationisrife · 02/12/2011 13:37

Great for a long, slow labour, like I had. You need to use it from early on as I believe it helps stimulate endorphins (or something!), but if you're having an early epidural I'm not sure how much point there would be, unless you find the very early contractions hard to bear. Mine weren't, but I know they are a lot more painful for some.

lollystix · 02/12/2011 14:54

Yes - to all 4 labours I did

Spatone · 02/12/2011 15:40

Yes, they are very good in the latent stage of labour.

Nevercan · 02/12/2011 16:27

Did nothing for me but I did hire mine from the NCT which was cheaper than buying

pinkgirlythoughts · 02/12/2011 20:24

I didn't bother hiring one, but when I was in labour, the midwife encouraged me to give it a try before going for an epidural, so I agreed, and I absolutely hated it. In between contractions the pulsing was too painful, so I turned it right down, but during contractions I put it on boost, and couldn't feel anything! When I turned it back up for the contractions, I spent the time in between moaning from the pain of the pulsing! I wouldn't bother buying one in case you're like me and can't stand the sensation, but if you want to give it a try, hiring could be the best way to go.

Carrotsandcelery · 02/12/2011 20:29

I got mine on loan from our midwives so make sure that isn't an option before you pay out hard cash.

I found mine fantastic first time as it was a long slow labour. It meant I gave birth with only gas and air and no further intervention.

I used one second time but didn't use it for as long and it was less effective, I think because of the short time frame. It did still help though. Again I only needed gas and air.

If you can get one for a low price I think it is worth a shot.

notcitrus · 02/12/2011 20:43

Mine was a Boots one I got off Ebay for £10, and the 'backache' setting was wonderful in late pregnancy.
It was quite helpful in labour particularly for the journey to hospital and before I got the g+a and water available. Once I got out of the pool though it didn't do much but was better than nothing until the epidural arrived.

StickyGhostofXmasPast · 02/12/2011 21:12

Agree with them being a godsend during long slow labour, it's more of a distraction than pain relief though I found, and I was sick of the sight of the thing by the end.

How early will your epidural be? Do you have to go through the latent phase of labour and be at a certain point before you get it? Might be worth considering hiring one just incase; Mothercare do it for £30 or so.

breatheslowly · 02/12/2011 22:00

I borrowed one from a friend - needed to buy new pads for it though. It hardly made a dent, but I had a relatively quick, induced labour.

ZuleikaJambiere · 03/12/2011 14:30

I'm definitely getting one this time, last time I put it on at the first sign of contractions and about 12 hours later the MW told me I'd reached the point that it was no longer effective (think I was about 6-7cm). How wrong she was - I didn't realise how good it was until I stopped using it

Pastabee · 03/12/2011 16:09

Mine was amazing. Stayed at home just using tens. Got to hospital and was shocked to find I was already 7cm. 3 hours, and some gas and air and DD arrived.

I think it would still help you get to the point where you'll have an epidural.

lilham · 03/12/2011 16:19

If you are going to have an epidural it's probably useless? Like others who found it useful. I had a very long labour, just over 2 days. I found it very effective in keeping the pain down. In fact its my only pain relief throughout Angry. (Not because I didn't need more. But the hospital were so busy those 2 days I didn't get examined so I can't be given gas and air until they were free enough to check how far I was! By the time they came to me 2 days later I was fully dilated. This is the NHS btw).

Original poster
Mmmmcheese · 03/12/2011 22:48

Thanks everyine, some mixed opinions! Sounds like for a quick labour (which is very likely) it might not be worth it then? Im not sure exactly when theyll let me have the epidural but it is likely to be fairly soon after my labour gets going. Last time i got contractions 5 mins apart right from the beginning and was almost immediately 4 cm dilated.

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