TENS Machines - any good?

[Mummytobe2014]

Hiya everyone - i am thinking about using a TENS Machine during labour (if i am not allowed a water birth) and just wondered what peoples opinions were on them, are they good? Do they help with the pain? Can you use through whole of labour etc?
Your thoughts/comments would be appreciated

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MNHQ Update
This is a very old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for similar recommendations, our guide to the best TENS machine has been recently updated. Based on the tried and tested recommendations of Mumsnetters, the page includes a wide range of options including machines for hire. We hope it's helpful!

Another one who LOVED my Tens machine last time. I had an induced labour with maximum dose of drip, v painful and it did more for me than g&a and diamorphine injection. Eventually Mean midwife made me take it off so I was ready for an epidural, it was unbearable without it, plus bloody anaesthetist didn't turn up for 40mins so as soon as midwife went out of room for a second DH put it back on . It's 4 little pads to take off, takes 2 seconds!

Yes to get the best out of it you need to put it on at home when early labour starts (the instructions will have pictures if where to place the pads) and slowly go up the levels as the contractions get stronger and you feel you need a bigger 'buzz'. I really liked the distraction of pressing the boost button, basically between contractions there is a dull buzzing, then when the contraction starts you press the boost button and it feels a bit like a very mild electric shock, then you turn it off at the end of the contraction. I was really impressed. Although I had a crappy one someone lent me that broke, the midwife then lent me a hospital one which was an Elle Tens, it was much better and more powerful, so I think they vary. I am 39 weeks with second and bought one this time, might have a third and can lend to others.

Yes - found it absolutely brilliant. Managed 2 labours on just TENS (no gas and air etc.) - had an Elle Tens.

Make sure you put it on early enough though, as I've heard its less effective if too late.

Definitely worth having. They started my induction 3am on a Tuesday morning, got to 2cm in 3 hours. Sat on a ward for three days in slow labour (dd was also back to back) as delivery suite was full, waters were broke at midnight on Friday morning. Was only allowed cocodamol for that whole time, I would have lost the will to live without my Tens. Safe to say when they put in my drip I got an Epi right after, had lost my sense of humour at that point.

Loved it with DC1 and had no other pain relief. I've heard that it is most effective when used from fairly early on ( although nothing to compare it too!)

Dc2 due shortly and have it at the ready in the vain hope it may help

Excellent thanks ladies, i am definately going to have a look. I cant seem to find the ToysrUs deal but will pop into my local boots or something or ask my mw on next appt!

I think it was a limited time offer, which is a shame. It was a fantastic deal!

i have one that i used to use for my period pain before getting preggo! works so so well for me, though i tried it the other day for back pain (probably shouldn't have as Im 7 weeks gone) and i couldn't bare it!! it felt really tickly and made me feel like i needed to pee!

You can also hire them from Boots. Mine arrived a few days ago.

Essential in my opinion, got me through birth of my LO with no other pain relief... On advice from MW my hubs 'forced' me into a hot bath (which was actually fab) but when I got out I literally begged for him to put the tens back on! He thought I was mad as he had tried it out pre-labour and considered it to be an implement of torture....

yes! I got mine second hand from ebay. I used it from the first contractions until I had an epidural with forceps in theatre! it helped with the pain but I also liked the control it gave me.

Mine was marvellous. The only thing that touched the pain. Water and gas were rubbish and impacted on my ability to use my tens.

Like findingmyfeet I laughed at DH when he suggested I have a bath as this translated to 'take your tens off'. Silly man.

I think I was particularly well suited to it though and I put it on as soon as the niggly, period type pains started and managed 5 hours sleep with it on low. Think this helped to adjust my body to it because by the end I'd worked through the levels and my eyes were rolling back in my head when I pressed boost according to DH.

I got mine from eBay and have just ordered new pads to use it with DC2 next month.

Useless to me. Put it on immediately, tried for few hours but contractions got increasingly regular and painful and TENS just didn't do anything. At any point.

I was disappointed but it sounds like they can work for other people so if I were you I would give it a go!

Hmm no i dont usually feel period pains in my back but then being on the pill for many years i havent experienced period pains like i used to when i was younger as its not really real is it!? I have found one to hire for £21.00 i checked Ebay but they go for around £30.00.

I think i am going to give it ago as there seems to be a lot of positive reactions to them and if it doesnt work then at least i have tried

My contractions were all in my back and the TENS was fecking useless Chunderella Ripped it off in disgust after a bit.

Now gas and air, that I like!

I bought the mamatens one on amazon (was about £20-25 at the time). I used it for dd and wasn't that impressed but tried it again when in labour with ds and worked my way up through the levels properly and it was very effective. Both were induced labours where I was on my back so I don't know if that makes a difference.

My pain was in my front and I found it very effective.

Didn't like gas and air at all.

Worked for me until I got just over 5cms dilated, then I had to rip it off my back Got mine from eBay - £7.50

My pain was all in my front as well, and very low in my crotch. I don't remember any back pain. It worked wonderfully for me.

I am one of the lucky people for whom gas and air makes me high as a kite and caring not one jot about the pain. Frankly, were it legal I would take it recreationally .

I couldn't have done it without it so would recommend having one, i've since lent mine to 4 friends who have been pleased to have it even if they did need pain relief later on. I had it on for 24 hours at home and went to hospital when i could no longer cope with the pain - dc was born 5 hours later (water birth). So i think it helps for the early labour and to keep you mobile for longer which hopefully speeds the whole process up!?