TENS machines

[Errrr2012]

Probably a silly question but are they only effective if your contractions manifest themselves as back pain?

I had everywhere pain and the tens machine was absolutely fantastic! My yoga teacher said to start using a few weeks before as it made it more effective. No idea if that is true, but tens was enormous help to me.

No back pain with either labour - all pain in lower abdomen (like period pains). I still found TENS very useful, especially in the 2nd labour which was very quick and intense.

You can try sticking the pads anywhere the pain is, doesn't have to be your back. Whatever works for you. I loved mine last time although DH wasn't keen on being zapped when I made him re-stick them to my back!

I had back, hip, thigh, abdominal pain and tens were amazing

Thanks everyone. All I've been getting so far (for the last 4 weeks!) is period pain low down at the front, which was suddenly much worse this morning. All has died off again now but induction looms this weekend so I will be having a baby at some point soon! The instructions on the TENS say to place pads on lower/mid back so I wasn't sure if it was worth using, esp as you say weebairn that you only had the period style pain at the front.

Posted too soon, I mean that I may only get pain there too! Bump was firm this morning but not painful at all do who knows what a proper contraction is supposed to feel like!

I felt my contractions at the front each time. But tens on my back was invaluable. I think that's just how it works?