Tens machine query

[formerblonde]

Morning
I'm due in a week or so and am just playing about with tens machine. Did people just start using it at home at onset of labour and then just leave it on in car on way to hospital? Or take it off for travel? Just wondering!
Thanks

Tens machines arw fab. I used mine after my waters broke for latent stage... wore it constantly except in bath for probably 40 hours plus. You can use it from first twinges because you increase the level as you go.

It's useful to start using it early on because it builds up endorphins in the body which help.

I was put on the drip as it didn't really kick off and I used tens only for about 4 hours, then tens and g&a for another hour. It took til I was about 4cm for it to become more annoying than helpful (one of the pads was awkwardly positioned and giving me back spasms) and when I took it off I really noticed the difference.

If you can, wear something with a pocket so you can put the buttons in it while moving around- I kept accidentally dropping mine on the floor! Good luck with it.

Thanks for the tips! X

I used mine at the hospital. It's really really great for me. I had no pain relief other than the tens machine. I wasn't coping before I got one, so DH rushed out to town and got one for me. (I wouldn't go into my big rant why I didn't have any other pain relief. Lets just say the stupid hospital was too busy to give me anything).

That's terrible toddle! The nhs does worry me, service is so hit and miss. Glad I've got the tens as a back up. Make sure you complain about your treatment, that's not good enough! X

I found the TENS really good too - put it on as soon as you start finding the contractions uncomfortable as it is more effective that way.

Good luck :)

Agree - make sure you get it on early and don't knock the buttons on the way to hospital (if you're going). Definitely keep it on for travel!

All the pain relief I had for DS2.

Well I was testing it on my arm first off just using one pad and was thinking it wasn't working..then I realised I had to put the second pad on to complete the circuit so I did not realising it was on full strength! Made me jump! Baby brain
X

I also recommend getting the TENS on early, it was the only pain relief I had (not by choice just a fast labour) and I can honestly say that once I'd had it on for a while it definitely took the 'edge' off the contractions and was a great distraction. I kept it on right till the end increasing the level and always using the boost button for each contraction - that was hubbies job during labour - press the boost button! :-)

I hired the Elle one.

I had Elle as well.

I agree with all the others, I had mine on early as you ramp it up with the contractions. I think it acted as a distraction for me too which was good as (sadly) like two other people have said I had no other pain relief, through crap NHS service not through choice.

Elle tens has a cord so you can wear it round your neck, so don't need to worry about pockets etc.

Definitely put it on as early as you can and remember to keep ramping up the levels as you need them.

Might be worth having some spare electrode pads (can get them from eBay and Amazon in case you have a long first stage. I used mine for 3 days at home before hosp and it was amazing.

Good idea tiokiko - also get some spare batteries - you don't want to run out of those!