Tens machine question

[LittleMissSnowShine]

hi ladies

I'm 39 + 5 and I had a membrane sweep done on Fri and again today. I've been having some v mild contractions but the main thing is pretty much constant lower back pain. The pain is not horrendous (yet!) and I havent had any show yet but it's getting tough to ignore the ache. I feel a bit queasy so I don't really fancy having a bath and since things haven't really kicked off I don't want to start into painkillers yet. At the minute I have a hot water bottle and using birth ball but I'm wondering if this would be a good point to give the tens machine a go? Or is it really only effective for contractions?

HI Little Miss Snow Shine,

How are you? We were part of the same group last year.

If your back is sore I think the TENS is def. worth a shot, you could just try and relax with it on a low setting.

Good luck xx

Hi harold - thanks for your reply! How are things with you?

Might give tens a go, pain hasn't really gotten worse but stretches, birth ball and hot water bottle haven't gotten rid of it either so no harm seeing if tens can help! Wish I knew if this was the start of things or just a random ache

TENS is great in early labour. Put it on and see how you go. From memory you can increase the settings during contractions as they get more painful.

Iirc the earlier you use the tens the more effective it's supposed to be (although I just found it annoying so probably not the best to advise!)

I would start using it as soon as possible as its only really good in the earlier stages, I have given birth both times with bits of the pads stuck all over my back having forgotten I have the bloody thing on!

We all wish you the best of luck, have PM'd you as well.

I'd bung it on too. Make sure you have spare batteries though in case this is it!

Deffo put TENS on now. More effective the earlier you use it and if you are anything like me you'll want to hop in the bath when labour really gets going.

ooh! hope this turns into a live birth thread!

Forgot to mention, TENs awesome for lower back pain. Both my DCs were back to back and the Tens counteracted the pressure and discomfort in my lower back brilliantly.

I had a looooong labour (65hrs) due to a back to back baby and the tens machine was the only thing that got me through it. Personally i only turned it on during contractions as it irritated me in between them but i know others like it on all the time but ramp it up for contractions.

Good luck!

Yes put it on now! The tens was the only pain relief I used throughout my labour and it was amazing. Use the boost button for active c

Sorry, ...contractions but you can keep it on low continually. Good luck!

Used mine throughout my whole labour (and even pushing cis firgot to turn it off!) start early as the effect needs to build up to be effective.

I forgot to turn mine off both times S well!

Came too holding the baby thing what's this annoying buzzing

I also had a v long labour withSD1, he was back o back but dr opted not to tell me that and did a sweep anyway and I was contracting from sat morning til I had him on Mon lunchtime...and it hurt!!!

I stuck tens on last night for an hour and it really helped with back pain so I was able to go to sleep. Woke up at 5am and pain is back and also right down my right leg but no contractions or show yet so no idea if sweep has worked. Disappointing because it def seemed to have done the trick last night but no change over night...so just going to have to wait and see.

Glad I got tens machine all set up and ready to go tho, fx I'll be needing it again later on today :) Thanks for all your replies!

Keep us posted!

Hmm not exactly breaking news but I've lost plug now woo hoo so I guess if I am being optimistic maybe things will kick off tonight or tomorrow. Just me and 2 yo DS at home at the min, feels v surreal lol I'll let you know if tens machine is back in use again anyway

Good luck! It's so strange just waiting isn't it? I'm waiting to DC2 to make an appearance and agree when anything happens it seems surreal, like I'm not really going to be in labour ever...

Any more news for you jennimoo? I have cramps like my period is going to come but they come on and ease off again so don't think it'll be tonight . Feel like I have been pregnant forever!! EDD is tomorrow tho so maybe he's going to just be really punctual

Barely even any BH even here let alone the cramps :( Only 37+4 though.

Fingers crossed today's the day for you then!

Woke up around 3am having really strong contractions and thought...maybe this is it?! After half an hour it all settled down again though, hadn't even had a chance to wake DH yet lol I've been bouncing on birth ball like a mad thing this morning, running round after DS and doing a bit of tidying up and nothing, nada, zip! So looks like maybe not today either!! Agh!!! You get so fed up!! With DS I went into early labour on my due date and even though it took a couple of days for him to arrive I was so distracted with contractions and throwing up I really didn't feel 'overdue'. This time it is going to send me crazy!!

You never know! Good luck!