TENS machine - does it have to be special labour one?

[Girraferama]

I'm a first-timer and a friend has lent me a TENS machine that she bought when her daughter had an injury. I had it all packed in my hospital bag ready to go and just got it out to read the instructions and there is no mention of use during labour.

I've looked online and the company (Tenscare) also make the MamaTens (my one is a TouchTens) and say you need the special labour one for labour as it has a boost function and larger pads.

Is this just a marketing ploy or do they really differ that much?

Don't know whether to scrap it now and hire a labour tens?

I don't know but my Mamatens was amazing. The only thing that touched the pain. I pushed the gas away as it was interfering with me using my tens.

I needed the boost button. I counted through each contraction as I knew where the peak would be at which point I pressed the boost.

I'd recommend hiring a maternity tens or buying second hand with new pads from eBay.

Not sure but think it does have to do with the signal(?) strength and the intermittent function.
I wouldn't risk a non-pregnancy one.
Mg husband sells tens machines but not the childbirth ones as the medical restrictions are higher.

Thanks all