Can anyone recommend a Tens machine?

[whatwho]

Hi everyone,

I would like to hire a Tens machine, but after doing some research, there seem to be a vast number of different options and companies to hire them from. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Thanks!

TBH after a while they are useless anyway, once the contractions get so strong you are literally climbing the walls....!

i hired mine from the hospital; worked out easiest and cheapest.

Top tip - make sure you put new batteries in, and have spares.

I wore mine up until pushing - got it from Boots

another top tip - put it on right at the start. no use starting halfway through

loved mine

Also loved mine, was my only pain relief (doesn't mean I had a pain free birth, just took the edge off enough for me to cope ). Would agree to put it on right at the start, give it time to work. Also would say make sure you get one that's nice and portable. I got one thro' local midwife team - company was called MamaTens, and it was small enough to wear either clipped to a belt (not that you'll be wearing one!) or more usefully, hung on a cord around your neck. Would also say do a trial run beforehand, just to practise getting the patches on (get partner to help) and see what it feels like (tho obv don't whack it up all the way).

HTH and good luck with the birth.

bought mine off internet from 'winhealth.co.uk', was about £40 this time last year, get 2 sizes of pads with it, is v small, has booster thing etc etc - bought rather than hired because planning another baby quite quickly (am due again in 3 weeks!!)and so seemed cheaper option - hire costs seem to vary from £20-£40. whack it on the minute you feel a twinge and keep it on - i thought it was fab

Thanks for the comments so far - I used a tens with my first, and it was very helpful, but I am at a different hospital this time and they don't provide them.

Anyone got any views on good brands / products? I have no idea, and there seem to be loads of options...

I used the Elle Tens which I bought online from Boots (you can't buy them instore) - was delivered within 3 days. It was £70 I think but it was going to cost £30 to hire so seemed worth buying if I was going to use it again in future...and it was worth every penny! It was a life saver during labour!!!! I only used the Tens and gas and air but didnt really feel the gas and air was much use - just made me feel queezy. The boost button on the Tens was great -I gave my dh the controls and just shouted 'boost' at the peak of a contraction! It was got me through and gave him something helpful to do!

I hired mine from Mamatens through mothercare. It was my only pain relief and all I needed - I thought it was fabulous and made the whole thing comletely manageable. I liked the mamatens one because it had programmes for each stage and several levels within each programme so I could use it throughout pushing too - the tingles just felt slightly different. Think it was around 30 quid to hire (though I ended up having to buy it off them as dh threw it out with the used home birth kit) so there's a top tip - in the glow of afterbirth, make sure you know where your machine is!

I also got mine from Boots and would recommend it. I dont know if it reduced the pain but it gave me something to focus on and I would DEFINITELY hire one again next time. I was in labour a long time at home without dilating so it was very useful.

My advice is to carefully read the instructions well before you go into labour. There are a few different buttons for different levels/intensities. So its best to feel confident how to use it when the time comes...